Speaker Profile

Jessica Gelman is a pioneering leader and innovator in the sports industry, widely recognized for her pivotal role in advancing the sports analytics movement and transforming how data and technology drive decision-making in sports. 

AS CEO and co-founder of Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR), Jessica has redefined how sports and entertainment organizations leverage data to optimize fan engagement, drive business growth, and navigate the evolving sports landscape.  Under her leadership, KAGR has set the industry standard, empowering major leagues, teams, and organizations-including the NFL, NCAA, and NASCAR to unlock the power of data.  KAGR delivers advanced analytics, strategic consulting, and builds trusted unified data platforms that enable sports organizations to adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape, including the integration of AI and emerging technologies.  

Jessica is also co-founder and co-chair of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (SSAC), the world's premier event for sports analytics.  Since 2016, SSAC has become a global hub for innovation, bringing together industry leaders, visionaries, rising talent and changemakers-including President Barack Obama, Adam Silver, Nate Silver, Sue Bird- to advance the role of analytics in sports. The conference is celebrated for its diverse voice and its global influence on the future of the industry.  

A former professional basketball player and Harvard Female Athlete of the Year, Jessica’s career has been shaped by her passion for competition, data, and leadership.  Her early work at Kraft Sports & Entertainment laid the foundation for KAGR’s holistic, customer-centric approach, now considered best-in-class for data management and analytics across sports organizations.  

Jessica's influence extends beyond business: she is a mentor, connector, advocate for diversity and women in tech, and frequent speaker on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of sports.  Her impact has been recognized with numerous accolades like Sports Business Journal "Forty under 40" and "Game Changers", cementing her status as a key architect of the modern sports analytics era.  She serves and has served on several boards supporting women’s sports (including the NWSL) and youth sports, further expanding the reach of analytics across the sports ecosystem.  

Jessica holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA, cum laude, from Harvard College.  She was also recognized as an Ivy League Legend of Basketball in 2018 and currently serves as the Treasurer of the Harvard Varsity Club. 

Jessica and her wife, Corbin Petro, are deeply committed to promoting gender equality and diversity in all aspects of their lives. They are the proud parents of two sons and reside in the greater Boston area.