Jessi Sheridan: Amplifying Women’s Voices and Fostering Community
Jessi Sheridan has dedicated herself to amplifying women's voices and creating a sense of community.
As the Founder of Habituelle and Vice President of Leadership Experience at The Leader’s Edge, Jessi Sheridan has dedicated herself to amplifying women’s voices and creating a sense of community in a time when many felt silenced and isolated.
Celebrating exceptional local women making significant impacts in our community.
Our 2024 Women of Influence Award Winners were nominated by peers and selected by the Family Focus Media team based on their achievements and dedication to creating positive change, as revealed through comprehensive questionnaires. Their profiles showcase their inspiring journeys and accomplishments.
Beyond the awards, our Women of Influence Luncheons and Speed Networking Night attendees form our growing “Women of Influence Network,” a community fostering connections, collaboration, and mutual support. We invite you to explore our Award Winners’ stories and leverage our Network Directory in the Women of Influence Guide. Reach out to fellow members to harness the power of our network through shared growth and support. For further engagement, we welcome business and nonprofit leaders to join our Family Focus Media Community Builders Group on Facebook and our NEW Women of Influence LinkedIn Group.
Birth of a Movement
Jessi’s journey with Habituelle began in the summer of 2022, during a moment of personal and societal crisis. Quarantined with COVID-19 and reeling from the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Jessi found herself grappling with a sense of helplessness. “I knew I couldn’t change what was happening on Capitol Hill, so I decided to focus on what I could do in my own city within my personal network,” she recalls. This moment of reflection sparked the creation of Habituelle, a storytelling platform designed to amplify the voices of women in Philadelphia.
Habituelle: A Platform for Women’s Stories
Since its launch in September 2022, Habituelle has provided a platform for more than 150 women and women-owned small businesses to share their stories. The name Habituelle, French for “habitual,” embodies Jessi’s philosophy that leadership is a habit strengthened through practice. “As we form this habit within ourselves, we can pour into others. This is how we vitalize our communities,” Jessi explains.
Recognition and Impact
In March 2024, Jessi was named “Hype Woman of the Year” by Philly Current Magazine. For Jessi, this recognition was more than a personal achievement; it validated the impact of the 140+ women who bravely shared their stories through Habituelle. “It showed that what I set out to do was happening: giving a platform for women to speak their truth and creating a sense of community,” she reflects.
Mentorship and Community Building
Through Habituelle, Jessi has conducted over 150 hours of interviews, providing a safe space for women to vulnerably share their stories. “Women have commented that speaking with me was one of the most freeing experiences for them because they felt they could safely share their sensitive realities without judgment or fear,” she notes. Beyond individual storytelling, Habituelle has fostered connections between women with similar experiences, nurturing a supportive community.
Advocacy for Financial Literacy
Jessi believes that improving gender equity must include a focus on financial literacy. “Many women are afraid to talk about money and money is power,” she asserts. She advocates for including financial literacy in elementary education to empower young people, especially girls, with knowledge about money management, savings, investments, and long-term planning.
Balancing Multiple Roles
As a leader, yoga instructor, and mother, Jessi approaches balance through energy management and values-based decision-making. “Balance for me is doing what I want to do, not what others (or society) tell me to do,” she explains. She credits her partner’s support as crucial in achieving this balance.
Future Aspirations
Jessi dreams of becoming an angel investor for a women-owned business, seeing it as an impactful way to help women rise up. On a personal level, she is dedicated to raising her daughter, Elle, “to be an independent, kind, and loving person who understands the importance of using her voice to help others.”
A Call to Action
To those aspiring to make a meaningful impact, Jessi advises, “Pay attention to what makes you emotional – angry, sad, elated, frustrated, confused – and do something about it.” She encourages women to get involved, even in small ways, to be part of the change they wish to see.
