ABOUT ME:
Jessica Van Fleteren is a documentary photographer, National Geographic Explorer, and Explorers Club Young Explorer whose work sits at the intersection of visual storytelling and environmental and social change.
Rooted in a belief that images can shift understanding and drive conservation, Jessica has conducted fieldwork across Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Newfoundland, documenting communities navigating the pressures of progress, conflict, and ecological disruption. Her editorial work has appeared in Chicago Magazine, Vice, and National Geographic Society publications.
A multiple Fulbright nominee and Benjamin Gilman Scholar, Jessica holds a B.A. in Photography from Columbia College Chicago and has studied post-conflict development with the School for International Training in Uganda and Rwanda.
Passionate about the infrastructure that supports great storytelling possible, Jessica spent more than four years building and leading media systems for the Detroit Lions. Currently, she serves as a Media Systems Engineer at the University of Michigan's Center for Academic Innovation, where she applies her expertise in visual media infrastructure to support meaningful storytelling at scale. She is based in Michigan.
Awards /
2026 Hashtag Sports Award Nominee – Best Life or Legacy Tribute
2019 Clio Budweiser Emerging Creative Award Shortlisted
2018 International Wildlife Film Festival Labs Fellow
2018 - The Explorers Club: Young Explorer Newfoundland
2016 - National Geographic Explorer Kenya
2016 - Fulbright Finalist Indonesia
2015 - Graduate Women in Science - Mentorship
2015 - Fulbright Finalist Kenya
2012 - Global Engagement Summit Delegate
2012 - Fulbright Finalist: 2012 Ethiopia
2011 - Benjamin Gilman Scholar
CLIENT LIST /
Vice
Chicago Magazine
Chicago RedEye
National Geographic Society
Oakland University
CONNECT /
