February Park Angel of the Month: Jessica Gibadlo
*What does it mean to be a Park Angel?*
Park Angels are the faces of the Charleston Parks Conservancy. They are community members who take a special interest and ownership in their local parks and all of Charleston’s city parks. Together, Park Angels form a network of advocates for our parks—volunteering, donating, encouraging park use, and spreading the word about the Conservancy’s mission. A Park Angel is someone who does any one of these things. But sometimes a Park Angel does all of these and more. Jessica Gibadlo has been a steward of Charleston’s parks for many years. As a Conservancy volunteer, Party for the Parks Co-Chair, donor, and board member, Jessica has gone above and beyond one call to action, making her February’s Park Angel of the Month.
Before moving to Charleston, Jessica worked in New York City as an investment banker with Lehman Brothers. Since relocating to the Lowcountry, Jessica has taken her skills in finance and passion for community to empower people to be more financially independent by conducting free seminars in the community and teaching a personal finance course at the College of Charleston. In addition to all she does for the Conservancy, she is the Chief Brand Ambassador for Brackish Bow Ties and a member of the College of Charleston’s Foundation Board.
We have been fortunate enough to have Jessica as a Park Angel since the first Party for the Parks in 2010 when she began leading the auction. Since then, she has continued to support the Conservancy’s work and mission by growing the success of the Party for the Parks fundraiser. She now also serves on the Conservancy’s board of directors and is the current Treasurer and Chair of the Finance committee. Jessica also has demonstrated her commitment to stunning public places and a strong community by becoming a founding member of the Perennials and serving as co-chair of the Moultrie Park Renovation committee.