Jess – Founder of ‘Illuminate’
Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by incredible influencers and role models, which helped shape my belief of positive leadership from an early age. I quickly learned that true leadership isn’t about titles or authority – it’s about inspiring others, being authentic, and leading with integrity and empathy.
My early experiences formed the values I still hold today and instilled in me a strong sense of self-belief – something I am both proud and humbled to have passed down to my children. Growing up around the music business, my childhood was anything but ordinary. Saturday nights were spent at radio shows, and family outings often meant hanging out backstage at a gig where I encountered a variety of people – some inspiring, some less so – but one lesson stood out: wealth and fame don’t have to come at the cost of authenticity. I saw first hand how true leaders – like the members of U2, who would humbly come over for barbecues before playing in a stadium to thousands, went on to achieve great success while remaining grounded, kind, and impactful. These experiences reinforced my belief that leadership isn’t about status or titles; it’s about staying true to your values, leading with authenticity, and using your influence for good – messages that are at the heart of ‘Illuminate.’
My passion for leadership, the mind, and human behaviour has fascinated me since childhood. This curiosity led me to study psychology as a teenager, igniting a lifelong journey of learning that continues to this day. Over time, my deep interest in people, emotional intelligence and the human brain evolved into a desire to empower others through leadership coaching and development – the foundation of ‘Illuminate.’
Raising our three incredible children with my husband (my most special role!) has only strengthened my vision: to help shape the next generation of leaders. Every child deserves to be believed in. By leading by example, encouraging them to communicate effectively, build resilience, and develop self-belief, I have seen firsthand the incredible transformation leadership can bring. Watching them grow in confidence, empathy, and resilience has reinforced my belief that leadership isn’t just about guiding the path for others – it’s about empowering them to shine and find their own path, even when their light may feel dim.
With a career of over two decades of experience in the health, fitness, and well-being industry, working extensively in leadership, customer service, retention and sales roles, I handled countless customer interactions, navigated complex conflicts, and trained teams to deliver exceptional service. I’ve also had the privilege of delivering leadership and customer service training to over 500 adults and around 200 children in the past few years alone. Time and time again, I heard the same messages: “I wish I had learned this in school”, “I wish my children had access to these skills” or requests to help coach family members, friends or businesses.
Recognising this growing need, I saw an opportunity to pay it forward – to use my experience to equip more people, including younger generations, with the tools to build resilience, confidence, and strong leadership skills from an early age.
At ‘Illuminate’, we believe every person possesses an inner light – a unique spark of potential, passion, and purpose. When we lead with authenticity and embrace who we truly are, we shine the brightest.
Now more than ever, people of all ages are struggling with mental health challenges. Anxiety, self-doubt, and overwhelm can dim even the brightest light, affecting confidence, well-being, and success in all areas of life. Here at ‘Illuminate,’ our mission is to help people reconnect or find their inner light and keep it shining.
Looking back, I see how life has been guiding me to this moment. Every experience, challenge, and lesson has been in prepared for this. ‘Illuminate’ isn’t just the result of a career – it’s the manifestation of a purpose. A lifelong passion brought to life: helping others discover, embrace, and illuminate their unique brilliance.
