Jess Morris
Jess is a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri and Wailwan Nations from Western NSW, and lives on Birpai Country in Port Macquarie. She is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Strong Spirit Aboriginal Services, and Co-Founder and Director of Strong Spirit Services Ltd.
With over 15 years of experience across the health sector, Jess holds a Bachelor of Health Science, a Master of Public Health, a Certificate IV in Project Management and a Certificate III in Fitness.
Her career spans health promotion, public health, mental health, Aboriginal health, management, primary healthcare, and commissioning, as well as the delivery of extensive workplace training. Jess brings expertise in project management, grant writing and management, financial management, program and service development, commissioning, project evaluation, community development, staff training, self-care, and stakeholder engagement.
Jess is also building research into Strong Spirit. She successfully received a Cancer Research Grant from the Cancer Institute NSW and has been developing and leading the Mob’s Way to Wellness program in collaboration with leading researchers and research institutions. She is passionate about strengthening Aboriginal community-controlled research and ensuring research is done with community, not on community.
In recognition of her commitment and leadership, Jess received a Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in 2006 and federal parliamentary recognition in 2021 for her contribution to the local Aboriginal community.
Abstracts this author is presenting: