Jessie Coates

As EY Global Impact Entrepreneurship and Markets Leader, Jessie brings together entrepreneurs, corporates and public sector institutions to help scale new technologies and business models that purposefully drive progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

A chartered accountant by trade, Jessie began her career in corporate finance before working as a consultant with clients across the social, private and public sectors. Since 2017, she has focused on combining public and private sector capabilities to help life-changing impact entrepreneurs overcome barriers to scale, primarily in emerging market contexts. She also serves on the board of several local and international impact enterprises and nonprofits.

Jessie holds a BA and an MA in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, graduating with a First Class Honors, and is an alumna of the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Program.

How Jessie is building a better working world

“I have the great privilege of working with — and learning from — pioneering entrepreneurs who are using the power of the market to innovate better answers to some of society’s toughest challenges. They are accelerating quality job creation, empowering women and underrepresented groups to participate in the economy, bringing access to vital goods and services, and restoring the environment. Lighting the road ahead for big business, their technologies and business models have the potential to disrupt entire industries, and to create transformative social and commercial value.

By extending EY professionals’ skills, knowledge and experience to impact enterprises on a not-for-profit basis, and forging collaborations with clients, we are helping to create long-term value for society and the planet.”