“Strive to Be the Best Version of Yourself.”

Jessica J. Henning is a scholar, researcher, and entrepreneur. As a real estate broker and business owner, she brings a perspective that bridges theory and practice, with extensive international experience informing her work in global leadership and mindfulness. She is the founder and CEO of AREA, a startup building a neutral artificial-intelligence negotiator for residential real estate transactions, protected by a filed provisional patent.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

AREA (Autonomous Real Estate Agent) | 2026 to Present

- Founded and lead a PropTech startup developing a neutral AI negotiator that represents the buyer and the seller in a single residential transaction without the conflict of interest that defines dual agency.

- Launched the company's revenue model: a flat activation fee plus a transaction fee at close, with a partner-broker network for multi-state expansion.

- Filed USPTO Provisional Patent Application No. 64/018,164 covering the neutral negotiation engine, the consumer-owned property intelligence network, and the competitive vendor marketplace.

- Authored the full technical specification for the negotiation engine and the enforced information barrier that make designated agency legally defensible across jurisdictions.

- Built the founding advisory and legal structure and is currently leading a pre-seed capital raise.

Broker and Owner

STATUS International Real Estate | California, Illinois, and Nevada | 2007 to Present

- Owner and broker of record for an independent brokerage serving residential buyers, sellers, and investors, with a focus on off-market acquisitions, dispositions, and portfolio transactions.

- Led thousands of negotiations over two decades of licensed practice.

Director

The Well Living Foundation | Nevada | 2025 to Present

Lending Consultant

NEXA Lending | Las Vegas, NV | 2025 to Present

Lending Consultant

Reliance Financial Group | Las Vegas, NV | 2011 to 2025

Broker / Salesperson

Realty One Group | Las Vegas, NV | 2006 to 2007

Broker / Salesperson

Sotheby's International Realty | Las Vegas, NV | 2005 to 2006

Director of Marketing

The Beata Clasp, a medical device company | Chicago, IL | 2004 to Present

Government Affairs and Policy Intern

Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce | Las Vegas, NV | 2003 to 2004

EDUCATION

Pepperdine University, GSEP | Malibu, CA | 2020 to 2026

Doctor of Philosophy, Global Leadership and Change

Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 2014 to 2019

Master's Degree, Management and Liberal Arts, High Honors

Harvard Business School | Cambridge, MA | 2019

Certificate Program, Sustainable Business Strategy

Harvard Law School | Cambridge, MA | 2017

Certificate Program, Program on Negotiation and Leadership

Harvard Kennedy School | Cambridge, MA | 2017

Certificate Program, Leadership in the 21st Century

Stanford University | Stanford, CA | 2017

Innovation Masters Series

University of Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | 2001 to 2004

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude

Forester Instituto Internacional | San Jose, Costa Rica | Summer 2001

International Studies Program

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Yale University | 2026

The Psychology of Negotiation: How to Find Elegant Trades

Resilience-Building Leader Program (RBLP) | Los Angeles, CA | 2022 to Present

Authorized Education Partner

Thriving in Challenging Times | Newport Coast, CA | 2020 to 2021

Real Estate Training Program

STARTUP COMPETITIONS

Finalist, New Venture Competition, HBS Association of Southern California | 2026

Selected as one of five finalists for AREA.

Quarter-Finalist, Most Fundable Companies, Pepperdine University | 2026

Advanced to the quarter-final round for AREA.

CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS

Leadership in Turbulent Times, Harvard DCE Spring Conference | 2026

Reimagining Contemplative Education: Shaping a Collective Future, Mind and Life Institute Summer Research Program | 2025

Global Leadership Network Conference, Women's Leadership Cohort Leader | 2025

Harvard Business Review Leadership Summit, Harvard Alumni Attendee | 2025

HBS CLIMB, Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business, Dynamic Team Building Delegate | 2025

GSEP Research Symposium at Chateau d'Hauteville, Switzerland, Pepperdine International Campus Doctoral Student Scholar | 2024

Global Leadership Summit, Women Leaders Network Cohort Leader | 2024

Leaders Who Make a Difference, Harvard Business Review Speakers Conference | 2024

International Conference on Quantitative Ethnography, Doctoral Consortium | 2023

Women Leading Change Seminar, Alumnae-i Network for Harvard Women, Host and Moderator | 2022

Wisdom in Times of Crisis Global Conference, International Leadership Association Doctoral Student Scholar | 2022

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit, International Leadership Association Doctoral Student Scholar | 2021

Global Conference: Reimagining Leadership Together, International Leadership Association Doctoral Student Scholar | 2020

Women and Leadership Conference, International Leadership Association Doctoral Student Scholar | 2020

SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, AND GRANTS

GSEP PhD Grant, Pepperdine University | 2025

Research Symposium Award, Pepperdine University | 2024

Provost Award, GSEP PhD Research Grant, Pepperdine University | 2023

Pepperdine Merit Scholarship, Pepperdine University | 2021

Dr. Farzin Madjidi Scholarship Award, Pepperdine University | 2021

A Gift of Education, Pepperdine University | 2020 and 2021

Leadership Scholarship, Harvard University | 2018

ROLES AND APPOINTMENTS

Southern California Cohort Leader, Global Leadership Network and Women Leaders Network | 2023 to Present

Peer Reviewer, The Scholarship Without Borders Journal | 2022 to Present

President, Nevada Chapter, Alumnae-i Network for Harvard Women | 2019 to Present

Member, Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs | 2019 to Present

Member, Philanthropic Educational Organization International | 2025 to Present

Director of Sponsorship and Global Case Competition Organizer, Harvard Business Society | 2016 to 2019

Events Chair, Harvard University Effective Altruism | 2017 to 2019

SELECTED SCHOLARSHIP

Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University: "Exploring Global Leadership Effectiveness Through the Lens of Mindfulness: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study." An interpretative phenomenological analysis of ten global leaders, guided by the Global Competencies Inventory and Langer's socio-cognitive theory of mindfulness, advancing five interrelated dimensions: awareness, attention, authenticity, adaptability, and acceptance.

LICENSURE

California Real Estate Broker | DRE #01773001

Nevada Real Estate Broker | DRE #66090

AFFILIATIONS

Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors; National Association of Realtors; Urban Land Institute; Realtors Land Institute; American Marketing Association; Harvard Alumni Association; Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs; Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society; Golden Key International Honour Society; Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement.