What is the
Triple Dividend
We founded Triple Dividend Partners, a Washington, D.C. and Atlanta-based firm, in response to the Lancet Commission’s call to invest in adolescent health and wellbeing to realize a “triple dividend” of benefits—immediate, long-term into adult life, and intergenerational. This foundational insight guides our work, as we support clients in improving outcomes across every stage of life. We collaborate with organizations that recognize the long-term value of centering health and well-being, dignity, and equity in their missions.
We blend strategy with purpose to drive transformative impact. We believe the triple dividend we offer is strategy, expertise, and connection, the essential ingredients for advancing bold, meaningful change.
Jessica is a distinguished expert and proven strategist in adolescent health, reproductive health, rights, and justice. Jess leverages more than 20 years of experience and deep public health connections to help organizations navigate policy, politics, and operations.
Jessica served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs and Director of the Office of Adolescent Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a senior executive service presidential appointment by the Biden-Harris administration. In her role, she led national initiatives in family planning and evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention, while also advising the administration on key reproductive and adolescent health issues. She played a pivotal role, overseeing the nation’s family planning program (Title X) and the evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program. Additionally, Jessica led gender equity, human rights, climate, and public health priorities within the HHS Office of Global Affairs.
With more than 20 years of experience, Jessica has built deep and diverse connections across public health and has a passion for translating the intersections of policy, politics, and business operations. She helps organizations understand the broader landscape and position themselves to effectively achieve their missions. She began her career on Capitol Hill before moving into the nonprofit sector and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University. Jessica lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two children.
Kathleen Ethier, PhD
Founding Partner
Whether in government, academia, or now in the private sector, Kathleen’s purpose has always been to make sure that young people, their families, and communities are engaged and sustained with the resources they need to support their health and well-being. As a social psychologist who has worked to foster impactful public health practice through strategic organizational leadership and management, she brings decades of expertise to some of the toughest challenges we currently face.
Retired from federal service after 25 years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Katheen has focused on psychosocial, behavioral, and environmental factors related to adolescent mental and physical health, with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health, LGBTQ+ youth health, and mental and behavioral health. Prior to joining CDC, she spent six years on the research faculty at Yale University studying HIV, STDs, and unplanned pregnancy prevention among women and adolescents. She spent her first years at CDC as the lead senior scientist on adolescent health issues in the Division of STD Prevention, her middle 8 years in the CDC Office of the Director, as the director of the Program, Performance, and Evaluation Office, and her last 8 years as the director of the Division of Adolescent and School Health. In each of those roles, she focused on the intersection of data, research, and effective programs, looking to strengthen and increase impact. Throughout, she has had a special interest in the role of public policy in health and well-being and has been heavily engaged in efforts to fortify public health leadership.
Our Unique
Approach
In today’s policy landscape, it’s more important than ever for mission-driven organizations to have the expertise, relationships across sectors, and strategic insights to navigate and withstand evolving dynamics. At Triple Dividend, we bring decades of experience across the executive and legislative branches, along with deep knowledge in policy, advocacy, communications, organizational change management, data, research, and evaluation—all of which we deploy to support our clients’ goals with precision and resolve.
We also bring a comprehensive lens that recognizes the interconnected roles of government, philanthropy, advocacy, service delivery, academia, the private sector, and beyond.
We understand that effective strategies account for how policy shapes missions and operations, and how influencing policy can accelerate progress toward long-term goals.
Jess and Kathleen are a powerhouse team. They deftly helped us navigate uncertainty and helped our project remain focused on what matters most — helping communities identify and implement best practices to support adolescents and young adults.
– Jonathan D. Klein, MD, MPH, Stanford University
How We
Partner with Clients
Political Intelligence & Forecasting
We equip organizations with real-time insight into shifting political dynamics and institutional priorities. Leveraging deep relationships with insiders and decision-makers, we provide actionable intelligence grounded in ongoing developments and emerging opportunities.
Impact-Driven Strategic Solutions
Organizations have the power to influence how policy and programs are shaped and executed.We help them see the bigger picture, sharpen their approach, and make smarter decisions — so they can be more effective, more sustainable, and can advance their mission with clarity and purpose.
Stakeholder Mapping & Relationship Building
Advancing any mission requires strong partnerships across sectors. We craft tailored engagement strategies that connect organizations with allies in government, philanthropy, civil society, and the private sector to expand influence and deepen collaboration.
Government Relations & Lobbying
From cultivating relationships with key decision-makers to shaping legislative agendas, we support advocacy efforts that accelerate progress and expand organizational influence. Our team helps build and execute effective lobbying and government engagement strategies.
Policy Navigation & Adaptation
An organization’s ability to achieve its mission is shaped by the political and regulatory environment. We support organizations in anticipating shifting policy dynamics and adapting their strategy and operations to align with emerging policy trends.