Grounded in Hospitality, Soaring in New York: Jess Rooney’09 Shares Her Journey

For Jess Rooney ’09, the path to success wasn’t paved — it was built, one shift, one connection and one bold leap at a time. From her early days working in Central Florida’s hospitality scene to managing luxury jewelry production in New York City, Jess’s story is a testament to grit, grace and the power of community.

Rooney served as chair for the UCF New York City Alumni Chapter.

Rooney’s UCF journey began after a few years at Seminole State College, where she explored her options while working multiple jobs. Her parents had moved the family to Central Florida in the early ’90s, and Jess was quickly enrolled in the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. But it wasn’t until she heard about the newly opened Rosen College of Hospitality Management that everything clicked.

Recently named the No. 1 hospitality program in the world by CEOWORLD, Rosen College Dean Cynthia Mejia extolls not only the opportunities offered by the Orlando community, but also Rosen’s incredible experiential offerings that appeal to both local and international students.

“Our faculty bring unrivaled industry experience to the classroom, are research and thought leaders in their disciplines, and prepare all our students to lead and innovate in the field.”

Once Rooney learned about Rosen, her future couldn’t happen quickly enough.

In her current role with a bespoke NYC jeweler, Rooney had the opportunity to travel to Cannes on the French Riviera for its famous film festival. Her company generously loaned her some of its exquisite jewelry.

“I was like, ‘That’s what I want to do,’” she recalls. “So I got to UCF as soon as I could.”

At Rosen, Rooney found her calling. The college’s requirement for students to hold active industry jobs meant Rooney was constantly immersed in real-world experience. She worked with event companies like Perfect Little Parties, served and managed at downtown Orlando’s Ember and even helped coordinate a Pepsi-sponsored NFL Rookie of the Year event. “I was already in the thick of it,” she says. “By the time I left the restaurant and bar industry, I was the general manager of several different properties.”

Despite the support of Bright Futures and a book scholarship, Rooney worked tirelessly to fund her education. “At one point in college, I had four different employers,” she says. “If I wasn’t in school, I was working.” She lived at home until she was 21, commuting between Rosen and UCF’s main campus, often staying with friends near campus to make early morning lectures. “I was always dragging my Rosen friends to football games and events on main campus,” she laughs.

After graduation, Rooney wasted no time chasing her dream: New York City. “I came here in 2010 and knew it was where I belonged,” she says. “I didn’t really have a Plan B.”

Within days of arriving, she landed multiple jobs in hospitality, eventually managing private aviation lounges for BLADE, a luxury travel startup. “It was wild,” she says. “I was living out East, flying in helicopters with my cat, managing ground operations for the 1%.”

Her time at BLADE was transformative. Over five years, Rooney helped grow the company’s footprint from one lounge to eleven, spanning Miami, Westchester, Teterboro and the Hamptons. “It was a team of five women managing everything,” she says. “And my training from UCF gave me that extra edge. We just knew better.”

But Rooney’s impact extends far beyond her professional achievements. For over 15 years, she served as chair of the UCF New York City Alumni Chapter, helping it evolve into one of the university’s most vibrant alumni communities.

“When I got here, the chapter was in transition,” she says. “Social media was just emerging, and we were able to use it to build something special.”

Under Rooney’s tenure, the chapter hosted events with university leadership, athletics and UCF Advancement & Partnerships. During the Knights’ undefeated football seasons in 2017 and 2018, the watch parties drew hundreds.

“People were standing on tables,” she says. “Parents of players came. It was almost as fun as being on campus.”

Rooney‘s commitment to UCF has been unwavering. She’s supported the university philanthropically since graduation and continues to advocate for alumni engagement.

“Some people don’t even know alumni chapters exist,” she says. “But they’re here, and they’re worth being part of.”

Today, Rooney is the director of operations for Zameer Kassam Fine Jewelry, a bespoke jeweler in Midtown Manhattan. She manages sourcing, production and logistics for custom pieces, working directly with vendors and clients.

Occsionally, Rooney has the opportunity to drape herself in diamonds and other precious gems when the occasion warrants. Here, from left, she models a 4X6 mm emerald-cut diamond eternity band (her favorite piece), a yellow and white gold “roller coaster ring” with round brilliant diamonds, a 3 mm round brilliant diamond tennis bracelet and a “brilliance bangle,” set in white gold with baguette diamond along the top.

“I didn’t even know what a pipeline was,” she laughs. “Now I manage the whole thing.”

Her work is intimate, intricate and deeply personal.

She’s also a seasoned marathoner, having completed the New York City Marathon four times, along with races in Boston, Chicago and Las Vegas. “I’m a distance pacer, not a speed racer,” she says. “I understand the value of a process.”

As she steps back from her role in the alumni chapter, Rooney reflects on the legacy she’s helped build. “Fifteen years is a good bucket to close,” she says. “I think it’s important for younger alumni to take the reins.”

Her advice to current students and fellow alumni? Get involved.

“Whether it’s finding roommates, jobs or lifelong friends — UCF is a community,” she says. “It’s been fundamental to my life. It’s in my blood.”