Building on a 35-year career as an expert in environmentalism and sustainability, Jessica Mann has found success as an author and publisher at Green Futures Press since 2024. Her debut novel, “Uplift,” has garnered significant recognition, including First Prize in the North Street Book Prize from Winning Writers, a Silver Medal from the Independent Book Publishers Association, a Gold Medal from the National Indie Excellence Awards and First Prize in the New York City Big Book Award. Due to the novel’s success, Ms. Mann has started to develop follow-ups in what she is now calling the Habitat Trilogy. This series continues her mission of educating and inspiring empathy for wildlife through realistic animal fiction, with storytelling that integrates scientific facts, authentic animal behavior and mythological elements.
Ms. Mann’s shift toward creative writing and fiction comes after years of technical writing and scholarly article publication. In 2023, she established the Teton Valley chapter of Idaho Master Naturalists, where she has played a pivotal role in promoting environmental education and volunteer service focused on conservation stewardship. Prior to that role, Ms. Mann excelled as an instructor in the University of California, San Diego’s sustainable business program for 12 years. Concurrently with that teaching position, she directed Green Futures Unlimited, a sustainability consulting firm where she provided environmental consulting services to Fortune 500 companies.
Earlier in her professional journey, Ms. Mann held notable leadership roles within the pharmaceutical industry. From 2001 to 2008, she served as the director of environmental health and safety and sustainability at Pfizer Inc., where she advanced corporate sustainability initiatives. Before joining Pfizer, Ms. Mann worked as the director of environmental health and safety at Novartis AG for more than 10 years. In this capacity, she oversaw comprehensive programs that ensured regulatory compliance and workplace safety for one of the largest multinational pharmaceutical companies in the world.
Prior to embarking upon her career, Ms. Mann set an academic foundation that would underpin her achievements across multiple sectors. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in natural resources and environment from the University of Michigan, graduating with class honors in 1982. Subsequently, she earned a Master of Public Health in health policy and environmental and occupational health from the same institution in 1986.
Demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning, Ms. Mann has pursued numerous certifications in the years since completing her master’s degree. These qualifications include: environmental management systems (ISO 14001) and occupational health and safety (ISO 45001) lead auditor through Exemplar Global Inc.; accredited greenhouse gas lead verifier through the California Air Resources Board; registered environmental manager through the National Registry of Environmental Professionals; sustainability reporting through the Global Reporting Initiative; leadership in energy and environmental design accredited professional (LEED-AP) through the U.S. Green Building Council Inc.; certified safety professional through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals; and certified industrial hygienist through the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).
Raising her stature as a thought leader within her field, Ms. Mann has been a prolific writer for over a decade. Among other articles, she authored pieces for Bloomberg Law and the AIHA magazine The Synergist. In 2016, Ms. Mann contributed to “Sustainability in the Workplace: A New Approach for Advancing Worker Safety and Health,” a white paper for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. That same year, she also collaborated on a paper for the ISOS Group and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Dedicated to civic engagement beyond her professional roles, Ms. Mann is an active member of her community. She volunteers with a number of local wildlife nonprofit organizations. Additionally, she is a longtime supporter of such groups as the Teton Regional Land Trust, Friends of the Teton River and Idaho Fish and Game.
Alongside the praise for “Uplift,” Ms. Mann has been consistently well regarded for her accomplishments. While working with Pfizer, she received an Achievement Award in 2004 and an Individual Performance Award in 2008 in recognition of her work creating the company’s La Jolla Green Chemistry Team. In 2016, Ms. Mann was presented with a Volunteer Service Award from the AIHA. She attributes her success to persistence, ability and an unbending willingness to work hard that has supported her innovation and entrepreneurship.
Outside of her career, Ms. Mann is a devoted wife and a loving mother to three children. She fills her free moments by spending time outdoors, hiking, backpacking, and playing piano in festivals and competitions. Ms. Mann looks forward to publishing more books in the future with the aim of challenging readers’ perceptions about nature while expanding advocacy efforts for animal rights. She remains committed to inspiring positive change by sharing meaningful narratives that foster empathy for wildlife.