A Day in the Life of Jessa Barnes, Client Services Lead

Ever wondered what a day in the life of one of our consultants looks like? This series dives into the details! Today, we’re spotlighting Jessa Barnes, a Client Services Lead based in Richmond, VA. Here’s a glimpse into their typical day: 

Morning 

My day starts whenever my son decides it does – usually sometime between 5 and 7 a.m. I spend the morning getting him ready for daycare and out the door before starting my workday around 9, typically with coffee and breakfast.  

I currently support four projects, so my mornings are usually packed with meetings. Depending on the day, that may include team standups, sprint planning, project ceremonies, or conversations about potential new work. 

As a Client Services Lead, my role spans both project delivery and account growth. That means understanding where each project stands, identifying risks or blockers, and helping teams maintain momentum, while also participating in pre-sales conversations and exploring where we could provide additional value for the client. 

Many of the projects I support involve modernizing legacy applications and helping clients move away from green-screen systems. We don’t want to jump into development before we fully understand the application, the problem, and the people using it. We begin with discovery, testing our hypotheses, and identifying the right problems to solve before moving into the build phase. 

That work requires close collaboration across disciplines. I partner with our practice and tech leads on current project delivery and the scope of future engagements, with designers during discovery, and with developers to understand any risks or blockers affecting delivery. 

Lunch 

I work from home most days, and my husband does too, so we try to meet for lunch when our schedules allow. It’s a nice opportunity to step away from our work and spend a little time together during the day. 

Sometimes I’ll use the break to take care of an errand or get something done around the house. When I go into the Richmond office, I usually take advantage of being near a Jersey Mike’s since we don’t have one close to home. 

Afternoon 

My afternoons tend to include more recurring meetings focused on UDig’s growth. Once those wrap up, I shift into the focused work that keeps my projects and prospective engagements moving forward. 

That might mean following up on a blocker, confirming that status reports are current, or updating estimates and proposal decks. Because my responsibilities span delivery and growth, these administrative details are important for keeping both our teams and clients aligned. 

The work we’ve done with this client has become increasingly strategic over the past two years. We’re now involved earlier in the process, helping uncover pain points, lead discovery, and shape the direction of an engagement. Compared with the projects we were delivering eight years ago, we have much more ownership over the strategy. We’re bringing in full, multidisciplinary teams and have expanded our presence into new business units across the organization. 

Professional development also plays a role in how I approach my work. UDig has helped me earn and maintain my Project Management Professional, Scrum Master and Product Owner certifications, and I’ve used Coursera to continue building my skills. I’ve also learned a lot about tools like Claude from teammates who help keep us current on how AI is changing our work. 

Outside of my client responsibilities, I serve on the rvatech Gala committee, where I help plan the event and identify award nominees. It’s another way I can contribute to and stay connected with Richmond’s broader technology community. 

After Work

I’m usually very intentional about ending my workday on time because I handle daycare pickup. Once my son and I get home, the evening revolves around making dinner, playing, and spending time together until his bedtime. 

If something still needs my attention, I can log back on after he’s asleep, but UDig’s flexibility allows me to be present for the moments that matter. Whether I need to attend something at my toddler’s school in the middle of the day or adjust my schedule around my family, I know that’s understood and supported. 

Once or twice a month, I’ll meet friends for dinner, especially when I’m already in the Richmond area. Otherwise, I wind down at home by watching TV. 

When people I’m interviewing ask what I like most about UDig, my answer is always the people. UDig hires people who genuinely want to help one another and never make someone feel bad or less capable for asking a question. We’re also aligned around continuing to grow, especially as AI changes our industry. That combination of supportive people, exciting work and real flexibility is what has kept my experience at UDig rewarding.