With extensive experience in government and politics, Jackie Abba is Executive Assistant to the Podesta Group’s CEO, Kimberley Fritts.Before joining the Podesta Group, Jackie served as executive assistant to The Honorable Jim Leach, the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities from 2009 through 2011. During her career on Capitol Hill, Jackie was scheduler, office manager and legislative assistant for Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) from 2006 through 2009. During her tenure with Rep. Biggert, Jackie was responsible for drafting legislation, managing the congresswoman’s schedule, writing constituent mail, and making vote recommendations on social issues. In an earlier stint with Rep. Leach (R-IA), Jackie served as scheduler and office manager, arranging meetings with constituents and committee members, as well as contacts with embassies and foreign ministries, and administering finances and personnel for the Washington, DC, and district offices.A native Iowan, Jackie was a field representative in the southwestern part of the state for Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)’s re-election campaign in 2004. An active member of the State Society of Iowa, she has bachelor’s degrees in communications and political science from the University of Iowa.
