Jacques serves on McKnight’s Executive Leadership Team and leads communications for the Foundation. Since joining McKnight in 2022, Jacques has directed the Foundation’s enterprise-wide communications strategies with vision, care, and impact. Under his leadership, the Communications Team has played a vital role in shaping how we share our story, connect with our partners, and amplify the work of those advancing justice, equity, and climate solutions in our communities.
Jacques brings nearly two decades of experience in communications, public relations, public affairs, marketing, and advertising, across the corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. His career has spanned large technology companies, nonprofit media organizations, environmental NGOs, and philanthropic institutions. Prior to joining McKnight, Jacques led communications for Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) global coastal resilience initiative, directing comprehensive communications campaigns that advanced supportive policies at the local, state, and federal levels. He also led communications for Restore the Mississippi River Delta, a coalition of national and state-based organizations working to address ongoing disaster recovery and build long-term climate resilience for Louisiana’s coastal communities, creating a model in policy, engagement, and communications for many other climate-vulnerable communities to follow. He previously served as communications director for the National Audubon Society as part of the same coalition. Before that, Jacques held positions at Mother Jones magazine, Google, and YouTube, all focused on driving innovation and impact through communications, digital advertising, and storytelling.
Jacques graduated from Dartmouth College with a dual major in Spanish and Latin American Studies. In 2016, Jacques completed the Institute for Environmental Communication at Loyola University, and in 2018, he was an Aspen Ideas Festival scholar. In 2024, Jacques received a certification in Public Narrative: Leadership, Storytelling, and Action from the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education program.
Jacques proudly hails from New Orleans and has also spent significant time in his mother’s homeland of Guatemala. He and his husband live in Minneapolis with their dog. He loves being in nature, cooking, gardening, and team sports.
Favorite Quotes:
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin
“The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks.” – Tennessee Williams