Jessica Mayenda was raised in Lusaka, Zambia. Jessica attended the University of Zambia where she majored in development studies with a minor in philosophy and applied ethics. In her fourth year, Jessica volunteered for an non-profit called Common Grounds Network, that focuses on promoting health among adolescents in communities and higher learning institutions. Before joining GHC, Jessica worked with Society for Family Health in the Copperbelt province as the regional management information systems officer, where she worked on monitoring and evaluation. She worked on a U.S Department of Defence project that provides HIV/AIDS preventative measures and services to Zambian military personal. In her spare time, Jessica continues to help Common Grounds Network in monitoring and evaluation work.