39 | Education: UCLA; Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University | Company: Seed Light Ventures
As the daughter of Jewish immigrants who fled the Iranian Revolution, Jessica Emanuel was raised with a deep sense of tikkun olam — the Jewish belief that bringing more light into the world happens one positive act of kindness at a time.
“Giving back to our community was never optional; it was just part of who we were,” she said. “It’s a value I’m now working hard to instill in my own children.”
Today, Emanuel serves on the Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, where she contributes to the board governance and community relations committees. She is also a member of the Association for Corporate Growth Dallas/Fort Worth programs committee, the Kellogg Women@EMBA board, and Not Just Brunch, a women-led community platform dedicated to helping women thrive.
She is a new member of the University Park Preschool Association and a supporter of the work of Rabbi Baruch and Mooka Hecht at Chabad of the Park Cities.
“The way they bring our community together is both impactful and genuinely fun,” Emanuel said, “and I love supporting them however I can.”
During a career in professional services that spans almost two decades, Emanuel has dedicated herself to helping organizations expand, evolve, and build the infrastructure they need to sustain long-term success.
She founded Seed Light Ventures in 2025 after 10 years as chief marketing and corporate development officer at BPM, a top-35 national accounting and advisory firm.
Today, Emanuel partners with family offices, private equity-backed companies, and growth-stage founders to create the go-to-market strategy, operations, and infrastructure they need to thrive at scale.
“Sometimes it’s hard to see the light when you’re in the tunnel. After more than a decade with the same company, I had built something I was incredibly proud of — but it took stepping away to realize how much more I wanted to build,” she said. “Leaving was the lightbulb moment. It gave me the perspective to see what I hadn’t been able to see from the inside, and the clarity to go after it.”
What (or who) motivated you to get involved in the community?
As the daughter of Jewish immigrants who fled the Iranian Revolution, I carry my family’s Persian Jewish heritage with enormous pride as a first-generation American. Growing up, my sister and I were raised with a deep sense of tikkun olam — the Jewish belief that bringing more light into the world begins with one positive act of kindness at a time. Giving back to our community was never optional; it was just part of who we were. It’s a value I’m now working hard to instill in my own children.
What is your favorite part of your current job or community involvement?
I love building. I love connecting people to ideas, to opportunities, and to each other. There is nothing better than watching something come together that didn’t exist before.
Are you where you thought you’d be when you graduated from high school?
I thought 40 was ancient in high school — I’m just getting started!
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My first job was waitressing at a retirement center for seniors. It taught me that one person’s job can be someone else’s entire career — and it gave me a crash course in patience, humor, and empathy that I still draw on every day.
Was there a “lightbulb moment” that led you to your career? If so, what was it?
Sometimes it’s hard to see the light when you’re in the tunnel. After more than a decade with the same company, I had built something I was incredibly proud of — but it took stepping away to realize how much more I wanted to build,” she said. “Leaving was the lightbulb moment. It gave me the perspective to see what I hadn’t been able to see from the inside, and the clarity to go after it.
What accomplishment are you the proudest of and why?
Being a mom. It’s the most rewarding and the most humbling thing I’ve ever done — being responsible for two little humans who are incredible (while sometimes exhausting) in every way. The other day my daughter stopped me mid-conversation and said, “stay positive, Mommy!” That reminded me I must be doing something right!
Which leadership skills have been the most challenging for you to develop and why?
There’s a difference between doing the right thing and being liked — they don’t always go hand in hand. I’ve learned that, so long as you’re doing the right thing, you don’t always need to be liked. I’m still working on this one.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing Dallas right now? If you had the connections and resources to change that, what would you do?
Dallas is growing at an extraordinary pace — which is one of the things I love about this city. But rapid growth comes with real tradeoffs. The affordability and accessibility that once made Dallas such a draw for young families feels increasingly out of reach, even in established neighborhoods. If I had the resources to change one thing, I’d focus on ensuring that growth lifts everyone — not just those who were already here.
If someone made a movie about your life, what would it be called and who would play you?
The Softest Steel — Anne Hathaway or Jennifer Garner
What is your favorite local restaurant or shop?
Shinsei is basically a weekly rotation in our house.
What’s on your bucket list?
Vacation home.
What do you have in mind for after 40?
More travel.
Is there anything else you think we should know about you?
Thank you for this honor! Here’s to what’s next, Dallas!!
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