Jenna-Maree Jacob

Jenna-Maree Jacob (Jenna or Jen) is a Kuku Yalanji woman with cultural connections to Mossman, Yarrabah, Cairns, Cooktown and into The Cape, through her maternal great-grandfather Harry Mossman and great-grandmother Mary Connolly. Jenna is also deeply connected to Mount Hagen, in the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea through her father, as well as Croatia and Vanuatu through her mother. She has lived, studied, and worked on Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country (Cairns region), Turrbal/Jagera Country (Brisbane region) and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country (Melbourne region). Jenna comes from a big, blended family and is one of ten children, and currently resides in Meanjin/Magandjin (Brisbane).

Jenna holds a Bachelor of Mass Communications (First Class Honours in Journalism) and Graduate Diploma of Educational Studies from Queensland University of Technology. She brings more than ten years’ experience supporting and leading the design, development, delivery and evaluation of social impact, leadership and educational programs across government and non-government sectors, with a strong focus on inclusive program design, cross cultural stakeholder engagement, training and capability-building initiatives, and continuous improvement. Jenna has experience working within complex ecosystems involving government agencies and community organisations, brokering practical, locally led solutions that balance social and economic outcomes. Much of her work has delivered positive outcomes across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, leadership, and partnership.