Jessica Shahin

Before retiring from USDA's Food and Nutrition Service in 2022, Jessica Shahin served for 18 years as the career executive for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the largest anti-hunger program in the country, serving up to 47 million people in need of food assistance with over $100 billion in benefits. Her focus included key priorities: improved access and integrity through strong, collaborative relationships with States, community partners, advocates and other stakeholders. During her tenure the number of eligible persons participating in the program increased from 54% to 87% and integrity at both the client and retailer levels increased. Program success was established through her efforts to simplify policies, implement major technology improvements, and establish strong relationships with stakeholders who shared the goals of access and integrity.

Prior to her career at USDA, Jessica led information management and stakeholder communication on the project team that implemented electronic benefit transfer (EBT) for the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS). She later served as the Director of Interagency Policy in the Commissioner’s Office at DHS. Overall, Jessica has almost 30 years in public service.  Jessica also taught public policy as an adjunct professor at the UT School of Social Work and continues to serve as a guest lecturer at the school. Prior to her time in public service, Jessica worked in the private sector and for advocacy organizations.

Since retiring, Jessica has provided informal mentoring and consulting services and enjoys her role as Board Secretary for the University of Texas School of Social Work Alumni Association. Jessica lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband of four decades, Jim Shahin, professor emeritus from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and a freelance writer/journalist. She has one child, Sam Shahin, a professional drummer in New Orleans, Louisiana.