Jess Brandler is SNS' Deputy Director, overseeing all aspects of SNS’ work, as well as working closely with speakers from Palestine and Israel to train, prepare, and support them for work with SNS. She runs the mental health support at SNS which includes supporting speakers, staff, and facilitators who face difficulties or attacks because of their work and is training to be a qualified therapist as part of this.
She has spent considerable time in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. She's been at SNS since 2015 and worked with founder and Director, Sharon, to considerably grow the organisation to what it is today, expanding into dozens of cities and towns across the UK, and founding the Olive Branch Award. She graduated from Cambridge University in Politics, Psychology and Sociology, specialising in conflict development, and the role of religion in politics. Following her graduation, she was awarded a fellowship at the Central European University in Budapest, where she completed her MA in International Relations and European Studies. During this time, she wrote papers and ran seminars on Israel and Palestine, and volunteered with The Human Rights Initiative (HRSI). After graduating in Budapest, she moved back to London, where she worked within the education sector for a start-up. She previously volunteered with the charity Football Beyond Borders, and is a trustee for the UK Friends of the Bereaved Families Forum. She lives in the countryside and is an Arsenal fan.