Jessica Roberto is the Knowledge Economy Lead within the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness at the Washington State Department of Commerce, working to advance the growth, innovation, and competitiveness of the global health, life sciences, and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors across the state. Jessica received her PhD in Pathobiology from the University of Washington in 2013 and has held a variety of roles within the Seattle-area life sciences startup ecosystem, including within venture capital groups, consulting organizations, and innovation-focused non-profits.