Jessan founded JDO & Associates - Independent Writer, in May, 1996. Prior to establishing JDO & A, Jessan earned degrees in writing from Brown University (Providence, RI) and the University of Rhode Island (Kingston, RI).
After graduation from Brown, Jessan’s work was published in NIMROD: International Literary Journal. Subsequently, her work appeared in The Newport Review; MIRROR, a publication of the University of Rhode Island; Rhode Island Women Speak: An Anthology of Authors and Artists, a publication of the Rhode Island chapter, National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA); and, other journals. Jessan has presented readings of her work at the Rhode Island School of Design (Providence, RI); Villa Serbelloni (Bellagio, Italy); Poetry Break (Providence, RI); Writer's Harvest, Bryant University (Smithfield, RI); RI chapter, National Museum of Women in the Arts; and additional venues. A collaboration with George Houston Bass, Director, Rites & Reasons Theatre, Brown University, included responsibilities as the writer/coordinator for the play Malacoff Blue and a commissioned poem titled: "Meditations on the Contents of the Rabbit's Hold." There are several other privately commissioned poems in Jessan's portfolio. Jessan was the Script Supervisor for the film Frailejon, directed by Josh Yeldham, that was awarded: Best Feature Film, Heartland Film Festival (Indianapolis, IN); Best Australian Short Feature, Australian Film Critics Award; EMMY, Best Student Drama, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences; and, nominated for an OSCAR, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
Concluding eight years as an Adjunct Professor at Bryant University (Smithfield, RI); and, the Community College of Rhode Island (Providence and Lincoln, RI campuses), Jessan began JDO & A, based in Rhode Island, with global clientele. In addition, Jessan has been a Visiting Artist/Guest Lecturer at: The Cambridge School (Weston, MA); Providence College, Department of Political Science (Providence, RI); Rhode Island School of Design, Freshman Foundation (Providence, RI); Carrabelle Public Library (Carrabelle, FL); and, The Writer's Workshop (Apache Junction, AZ).
Additional awards and honors include: Dean's List, Phi Beta Kapa, Phi Kappa Phi, Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry; Pawtucket Arts Council Annual Poetry Competition; California State Poetry Competition; Gwendolyn Brooks Prize for Poetry; the love of family and Friends and the continued trust of valued alliances and clients.
Born in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, Jessan is the daughter of Mahlon and Helen Dunn. She is the mother of two sons, Alessandro (RISD '08) and Cesare (RISD '04), from a previous marriage. Mostly raised and educated in the Northeast United States, Jessan and her husband, Al, and their sheltie, Sassy, have traveled extensively, recently returning to the Northeast after two years of journeying the US in their motorhome, "Rain Dancer."
Jessan is an active member of (and leader in) local, national and global business networking organizations, including: LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jessandunnotis and Ecademy - www.ecademy.com/user/jessandunnotis. Connecting directly is as easy as sending an e-mail, instant message or making a telephone call.