Jessica Muench is Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer at United Airlines, where she is leading transformational change through a holistic strategy to embed DEI throughout the business and enhance relationships with employees, customers, communities and commercial partners.
In her previous role of Managing Director, Labor Relations & Legal Strategy she worked closely with senior management providing counsel on labor litigation, negotiations and contract administration in addition to organizing issues and managed attorneys who represented the company in labor arbitrations. She first joined United as Labor & Employment Counsel in the Legal Department.
Before joining United, Jessica served a gubernatorial appointment as Board Member on the Illinois Labor Relations Board, adjudicating public sector labor matters and prior to that role, she managed labor, employment and procurement legal matters throughout state government agencies as Associate General Counsel to Governor Pat Quinn. She began her career litigating labor and employment matters as Assistant Corporation Counsel in the City of Chicago’s Law Department, Labor Division.
Jessica was recently named one of Savoy Magazine’s 2023 Most Influential Executives in Diversity and Inclusion. She has also been honored as a Crain’s Chicago 2021 Notable Executive in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a 2021 “Pioneering Woman” by her alma mater, Purdue University, and a Chicago Defender 2017 “Woman of Excellence” for distinction in her career and for civic engagement rooted in her passion for creating a pipeline of diverse lawyers and leaders. Jessica also served as a Board Member of Legal Prep Charter Academy and Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization where she was honored as one of Just the Beginning’s “20 Under 40” for her service on the organization’s Associate Board, and her volunteerism.
Other honors include Jessica recognition as a 2015 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, a 2013 Leadership Council for Legal Diversity Fellow and She was also selected as a Fellow in the American Arbitration Association’s A. Leon Higginbotham Fellows Program in 2011.
Jessica holds a B. A. with Honors from Purdue University and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
