Jessica L. Porter joined ArtTable as the Executive Director in 2018, after 4 years on the Board of Directors and 8 years of membership. In this role, she is responsible for developing the long-range strategy of ArtTable, providing leadership and oversight in fundraising to meet financial goals, and directing communications and brand management to enhance the success of the organization. She oversees and provides leadership to the staff and the membership as a whole, expanding and educating through research, programs, and communications. In 2020 she was the first to assume the name of ArtTable’s founder, Lila Harnett, and became the Lila Harnett Executive Director. 

Prior to this role, she was the Executive Director of New York Artists Equity Association, Inc (NYAEA) a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1947 by artists and art patrons with the mission to promote opportunities for artists. It operates Equity Gallery, an art space located on the Lower East Side of New York City.  

In 2001, Porter launched Porter Advisory, working with galleries and other organizations as an independent curator, creating exhibitions in alternative spaces and advising artists on unique opportunities and career advancement. From 2006 to 2017, Porter founded and directed Porter Contemporary, a Chelsea art gallery, where she was responsible for the overall strategy, business development and market growth, marketing, communications, and talent acquisition. 

She has spoken as an expert on CNBC about art collecting and investment of emerging artists, to the Harvard Business Women’s Association about starting an art collection, and has participated in panel discussions on such topics as art and music, women in the art industry, art and social justice, contemporary visions of Picasso and art collecting. She is also a lawyer.

Porter’s natural networking skills, combined with strategic event planning and social marketing, have made her a leader in the growth of her own businesses as well as other organizations.  Porter demonstrates a resounding commitment to providing guidance and opportunities to other women as part of the Leadership Advisory Board for the Girl Scouts of Greater New York’s annual Women of Distinction Fundraiser and as a Board Member and former Vice President of Membership at ArtTable. She also enjoys coaching little league softball and serving as a supporter and role model to girls starting out in sports. 

Porter has a Bachelor’s in Art History and French Language and Literature from the University of Delaware and a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland.