Jessi is a proud Noongar Whadjuk and Koori Gunditjmara Maaman with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from the University of Western Australia. His career underscores cultural and clinical knowledge in Aboriginal health and wellbeing, shaped by his experience in Aboriginal health services, Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations, and work for the Western Australian Department of Health. Jessi has been instrumental in delivering primary and secondary healthcare services to Aboriginal communities in the South West of Western Australia, ensuring they are culturally appropriate and aligned with community needs and values through ethical consultation processes.
Jessi has also contributed to the development of culturally responsive tertiary-level palliative care models for Aboriginal communities in the Great Southern of Western Australia. Additionally, he played a key role in delivering culturally safe COVID-19 vaccinations across Noongar and Yamatji Country, ensuring Aboriginal communities received care that respected their cultural values.
His work extends into data policy and evaluation, where he currently serves as the First Nations Assistant Director for the Evaluation Insights team in the Data, Evaluation, and Behavioural Insights Branch at the Attorney-General’s Department. With a background in human biology, epidemiology, biostatistics, population health, and Indigenous research,
Jessi has a strong passion to weave monitoring and evaluation into community-driven co-design and shared decision-making approaches. Jessi is dedicated to developing culturally responsive tools that drive meaningful change in program design and policies. Passionate about amplifying Indigenous languages and supporting Aboriginal communities in shaping their own destinies, his work is guided by a deep commitment to addressing systemic challenges facing Aboriginal people. Jessi consistently strives to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal communities through policy, research, and data-driven initiatives.
A central focus of Jessi’s work is to use Indigenous approaches to decolonise and dismantle Western paradigms. He believes in providing holistic solutions to improve Aboriginal health outcomes and foster culturally informed approaches.
Driven by a commitment to social justice and equality, Jessi applies data, evaluation, and behavioural insights principles in navigating and leading First Nations priorities, working toward healing Country and bridging the gaps in Aboriginal health and wellbeing.