Jess is a real example of small town girl turned globally recognised and awarded tech entrepreneur. Starting her first business at 16 and second at 22 which she scaled into 130 countries and was a finalist contestant on China’s version of Shark Tank x The Apprentice ‘The Next Unicorn’ which aired to 15M p/episode.
Jess has taken on industries ripe for disruption utilizing technology with millennial and Gen-Z markets at the forefront, establishing her as a leading voice in women leadership, innovation and emerging technologies.
More recently, co-founding Waves Tech Ventures a company which leverages emerging technologies to create impact. The first portfolio company, Women Making Waves is a tech company funding and scaling women’s rights law reform in Australia and the United States introducing a new demographic to philanthropy, working with law reform experts who have a proven track record in law reform in the area of women’s rights. MW has collaborated with the likes of Google, Airbnb, Tiktok and Speedo and has partnered with the likes of Deepak Chopra’s The Chopra Foundation.
Jess has been pinned by Forbes as one of 1,000 entrepreneurs under 30 to change the world in the next 50 years, appeared on Smart Company’s 30 under 30 three times and toured as the opening keynote speaker for Tony Robbins, Tom Bilyue and Richard Branson throughout their national Australian tours.
Previous speaking engagements clients include Google, Airbnb, Tiktok, Lenovo, Quest Apartments, Forbes Australia, YPO, EO, The Futures Conference, EY, KPMG, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank, Jobs Australia, Domain, SXSW, Carsales.com, Workato, Australia Property Institute, UNSW, PWC, Accenture, Newscorp to name a few.
Jess has featured in media publications such as Forbes, The Huffpost, Virgin, the front page of The Australian national newspaper, Vogue, Harper Bazaar, ABC, The AFR, Studio10 and CNN to name a few.
Talking Points
Women Leadership
Jess has been an entrepreneur since the age of 16, starting her first tech company at 22 which she scaled into 130 countries - she has raised funding, grown an international team, secured global partnerships with the likes of Google and Airbnb and navigated the successes and also challenges of business refining her leadership style along the way.Women Leadership
Jess imparts key learnings from a mindset and tactical skill perspective for aspiring women entrepreneurs, interprepreneurs and leadership teams, not excluding the men in the audience who will attain the insight of how women lead.
Takeaways:
- This keynote is aspirational, leaving attendee's leaving upskilled on key mindset skills and insight on what new-age leadership really means, how to grow your leadership skills at a rapid rate.
-Jess shares key stories from her career mixed with tanglible lessons and practical steps others can take to increase their leadership skills.
- A refreshing take on modern leadership presented by a young female entrepreneur with the business credibility years above her age, sure to show your team and audience you invest in and profile leading voices from a diversity, equality and inclusion perspective.
Emerging Technology, AI and Innovation
A look into what new waves of technology look like and how we have experienced throughout history, understanding experiential curves and discussions around current emerging technologies. (Most popular being AI).Emerging Technology, AI and Innovation
Jess speaks on technology with the firm belief that we don't need to get caught up in jargon, it's possible and more enjoyable to learn about these new technologies in plain english so anyone can understand - simplifying and portraying the latest in an easy to understand format.
This keynote is ever changing as the AI landscape changes so rapidly, Jess utilises her foresight in the tech industry to craft an engaging and current keynote also hitting the core takeaways list.
Key takeaways:
- A look back at history, understanding the past helps us understand the future: Understanding ‘Waves of Innovation’.
- Technology and the method of Zero to one of a new innovation (inspired by co-founder of Paypal Peter Tiel's work).
- What's next: Where the opportunity with innovation and AI is for companies and entrepreneurs in the future.
- Strategies to future proof and innovate. What the future may look like in 5-10 years and beyond.
- AI platforms and tools to implement in your business and life today.
- Audience members will walk away feeling empowered opposed to fearful of new technologies, more informed of where the opportunities are and what to expect next.
Equality + Disruption
Jess has a unique experience of being a survivor of sexual assault by a prospect investor, in which she decided to seek justice for herself starting a lawsuit and winning – which became the catalyst for the most empowering moment of her life and her then work within law reform.Equality + Disruption
Jess and WMW partners with law reform experts who have changed an accumulative 45+ laws and counting across gender equality, equal pay, human rights and harassment. WMW has created a new innovative way to introduce new revenue streams to charities and a disruptive way to further fund their work.
Key takeaways:
- A look at the history of law-reform, inspiring women who have paved the way for radical change.
- Examples of innovators across the world in the gender equality and disruption space.
- How technology can be a catalyst for massive change and the case study of Women Making Waves work and story.
- This keynote will leave audience members informed, inspired and empowered with what the brighter side of what our future has the potential to look like from an equality perspective.
The Entrepreneurs Journey
From a small town as one of 6 in her year at school to being pinned by Forbes as one of 1,000 entrepreneurs under 30 to change the world in the next 50 years. This keynote shares the story and key learnings from a mindset and tactical skill perspective.The Entrepreneurs Journey
Jess shares stories from the very beginning of her entrepreneur journey through to dropping out of university, working throughout Australia, New York and Paris fashion weeks spotting a trend within tech and booking a one way ticket to Sillicon Valley at 21, starting her first online shopping app Stashd at 22. Through to being a grand finalist on China’s version of Shark Tank x The Apprentice and also starting Women Making Waves.
Key takeaways:
- This keynote is heavy on story telling, and at the end of each chapter of Jess’s story she shares key mindset and practical, tactical business learnings leaving audience members equally parts inspired and ready to take radical action and writing notes to short cut solving a problem in their role or business.
- This is Jess’s most booked keynote and what she toured the country with Tony Robbins speaking on.
MC
Jess has been a professional keynote speaker for seven years and brings a grounding presence, professionalism and comfort on stages of 100pax through to 4,000pax and this is evident in how Jess MC’s an event.MC
Working with an array of clients, with different briefs and event coordination teams Jess understands the runnings of events intimately and ensures the audience is across the agenda for the day and are kept high energy.
Key takeaways:
- Jess ensures a thorough briefing and will work on the script where needed in lead up to the event to ensure an event presented with impact.
- High energy and smooth transitions between talent, Jess also has the ability to think on her feet and takes on any last minute changes with ease.
Video
Co-founder Women Making Waves & Founder Stashd
Jess is an exceptional MC and keynote speaker who brings outstanding energy, professionalism, and engagement to every event. She regularly hosts our events for audiences of 3,000+ and has i ... keep reading Success resources
Jess was excellent. She was warm, engaging and inspiring with so many great takeaways! We would thoroughly recommend her.
I highly recommend Jessica as an expert in women leadership, innovation and tech.
We are incredibly grateful for the energy and wisdom you brought to our conference and look forward to the extraordinary changes you will continue to inspire in the world. From understanding our brief, to being open with your time in the speaker briefing and discussions to your incredible presentation, you were fantastic to work with and we were thrilled to have you as part of our conference and look forward to many more interactions with you in the future. Personally, I may have only been in your presence a couple of times – but I appreciate the ease and companionship I feel when we catch up. As a more mature woman who mentors many a younger woman, I feel that you mentor me. Thank you for your generosity of spirit.
