Ms Jessica Hildyard

Jessica is a trusted leader, advisor and connector in CSIRO Communications, bringing energy and expertise to her strategic communication roles at CSIRO since 2017.

Her impactful career spans roles that reflect a deep commitment to delivering outcomes and inspiration for Australians. As a driver behind communications and marketing for the award-winning Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy and Living STEM programs, Jess champions initiatives that empower curious minds and invites innovators and leaders to nurture the next generation of STEM leaders.

From her tenure as Communications Manager for the SME Collaboration Nation Initiative, where she supported a unified approach to small business support, to her secondments with CSIRO Government Engagement and Missions, Jess has an ability to build relationships and tell stories that showcase the best of our country.

As Communications Manager for Science Connect (Services), she led a busy team in the support of diverse business units, delivering for SME Connect, Publishing, Infratechnology systems, Futures and Education & Outreach. This role honed her ability to create strategies that bridge CSIRO’s cutting-edge science and collaboration with meaningful community outcomes. Her contributions to SME Connect and ON Accelerator especially, spotlight her ability to amplify stories of deep-tech entrepreneurs and startups transforming industries.

Beyond strategy, Jess has a flair for delivering memorable, high-impact events and contributing skills widely across the organisation. From National Science Week, Mardi Gras to the ON Accelerator Program, her work aims to inspire connection between everyday Australians while supporting our STEM leaders to be the rock stars they are.

With over a decade in federal government roles spanning agriculture, defence, intellectual property, and climate change, Jess combines policy insight with an unwavering focus on community engagement. Her international experience as a communications leader in the UK further broadens her global perspective and adaptability.

Jess holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Graduate Diplomas in Journalism and Business, and UX Design accreditation from RMIT. Her expertise in plain English writing, accessibility and user-centered design reflects her belief that effective communication is about connecting meaningfully and equitably with people.