Culture | Dec. 2023
COMMUNITY CONNECTOR
By Morgan Hogerty
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES GUSTIN
STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA
HAIR & MAKEUP BY MARGARETA KOMLENAC
Jessica Montgomery
After seven cross-country moves and several years living in Stockholm, JESSICA MONTGOMERY and her family decided to call Winnetka home. Originally from the East Coast, she and her husband met at Virginia Tech. As their careers started to unfold, the couple found themselves traveling the world. Montgomery began her career in education, but a passion for meeting new people led to a pivot into the admissions field. She works in Evanston at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and is often inspired by the students. She and her husband, Brian, have two wonderful boys and an Aussiedoodle named Piper. Across their moves, the two have strived to build connections with those around them and invest in their communities. Montgomery, therefore, is actively involved at North Shore Country Day School and was honored to serve on the Executive Committee of the North Shore Board of the Northwestern Settlement, a cause that resonates with her because she believes outdoor experiences are transformative for children and teens. She co-chaired the nonprofit’s 2023 House in the Wood Gala, “An Evening Under the Stars,” raising money to fund outdoor STEM education programs and a traditional summer camp experience for the children and youth of Chicago. Pausing from her many commitments, Montgomery shares how she stays current in her professional and personal worlds.
ON HER NIGHTSTAND
“On a recent trip to Europe, I devoured The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Towles is an extraordinary storyteller, and this book was full of unexpected twists and turns. Despite its length, I didn’t want the story to end. Up next is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, which was recommended by a friend.”
ON HER MOBILE
“Besides reading The New York Times each morning and keeping up on Poets&Quants for work, I enjoy a steady stream of food, fashion, fitness, and travel on my Instagram feed. Some of my favorites are @j.cathell, @beautyofaboymom, @halfbakedharvest, and @the.next.tripp. Another joy of being a boy mom is following Formula 1 Racing (Go Mercedes!) and keeping up with my fantasy football team.”
IN HER EARBUDS
“I can’t get enough of Dax Shepard and Monica Padman’s Podcast Armchair Experts. I love the way Dax and Monica use humor and vulnerability to connect with their long list of A-list celebrities. The podcast covers perspectives on life, relationships, and everything in between. I have been known to laugh out loud in my car or on a dog walk.”
