• PATH - New Executive Director: Jess Thompson

    November 16, 2020

    Welcome Jess Thompson the new executive director of PATH Hawaii26,760 miles. 66,204,240 steps. These are the walking stats Jess Thompson has racked up since she began fitness walking 3 miles a day as a high school student in Madison, Wisconsin. Daily walks have been a part of Jess’ routine from Cornell College in Iowa; graduate school at Portland State University; during her days as a public school teacher and instructional coach; in her work as an equity and inclusion consultant; and as a nonprofit leader in housing and active transportation, most recently as the Executive Director at Oregon Walks.


    At Oregon Walks, Jess advocated for jurisdictional transfer at the state level, helped pass Portland’s comprehensive Pedestrian PDX Plan, served on the steering committee for Portland’s first bus-rapid transit lanes committee, and Portland’s Vision Zero Taskforce. Her favorite projects included cohosting hundreds of walks with community partners.

    Jess deeply believes that ALL people deserve access to safe, attractive, and convenient walking and biking conditions. She delighted to join the PATH team as incoming Executive Director. 

    Jess and her husband Chris, a registered nurse,  are thrilled to be moving to Big Island where their adult son, Akeke, lives. When not not walking or spending time with her family, she enjoys cooking, reading, and swimming.