Jessie Colbert

Jessie Colbert is the Coordinator of the Massachusetts Mind the Gap Coalition, a group of health care organizations, nonprofits, community-based organizations, mental health and maternity care providers, survivors of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) and/or pregnancy and infant loss and other advocates working to improve state policies impacting perinatal mental health. Under Jessie’s leadership, Massachusetts Mind the Gap was successful in passing the Moms Matter Act – legislation investing in community-based organizations supporting perinatal mental health, particularly in historically marginalized communities – as part of the state’s 2024 omnibus maternal health law.

Previously, Jessie was the Founder and Executive Director of the Mass. PPD Fund, a nonprofit focused on education, training, and advocacy around PMADs. She has also worked in nonprofit fundraising, and was the first Director of the Ellen Story Special Legislative Commission on Postpartum Depression, now a national model.

Jessie is the mom of three kids in college and middle school. Although she didn’t go through PMADs herself, she brings lived experience as a mom and with other mental health challenges to her work.