Jessie has an Honours Degree in Animal Science and has worked in a range of primary sector management positions over a fifteen-year period including Central Government, Local Government, non-profit and commercial organisations. She is currently Chair of RuralCo Ltd, on the Board of Bio-Protection Aotearoa and is a Trustee of Meat the Need. Jessie has previously served on the Board of Ngai Tahu Farming Ltd, Alpine Energy Ltd, Connetics Ltd, DairyNZ Ltd (as an Associate Director), Business Mid Canterbury and Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury. Jessie has completed the Fonterra Governance Development Programme and the Te Hono Bootcamp at Stanford University. She was awarded a Member of the NZ Order of Merit in 2022 for services to dairy and agriculture. She also received the Women in Governance Award for Inspiring Governance Leader in 2021, and Dairy Woman of the Year in 2017.
