Jess Mendes

People Specialist.

Jess Mendes is an HR professional who brings the best of both worlds: sharp systems thinking and a genuinely human approach. Jess moves seamlessly between the technical and the practical. Whether she’s untangling a clunky system or rethinking how a team actually works, she brings curiosity, clarity and just the right amount of challenge: including asking the questions everyone else is thinking (but not saying).

Background

Jess has experience across Defence, Local Government and professional services, which means she’s built a strong foundation in HR operations, HRIS, project delivery and business improvement.

Before joining Zest, Jess worked in highly regulated environments, developing exceptional organisation, attention to detail and a structured, outcomes-focused mindset. She thrives in complexity, sees steep learning curves as an opportunity, and is already making her mark.

"The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Skills

HRIS & HR technology
Recruitment & selection
People analytics & reporting
Employee experience design
Change management
Project planning & delivery
Risk & issue management
Governance & reporting frameworks
Stakeholder engagement
Adaptability

Our team is a group of passionate, curious, and human-first thinkers dedicated to transforming workplaces and helping people and organisations thrive together.