Jana Hesketh is an award-winning leader in community engagement, strategic partnerships and social impact, with more than 15 years’ experience delivering transformational outcomes across the arts, government, research, education and not-for-profit sectors.

As General Manager – Government, Communities & Impact at Queensland Music Festival (QMF), Jana leads the organisation’s work in community engagement, government relations, First Nations partnerships, social impact, and philanthropy. She is passionate about ensuring arts and cultural initiatives create lasting economic, social and cultural benefits for the communities in which they are delivered, particularly across regional and remote Queensland.

Throughout her career, Jana has built a reputation for bringing people together to solve complex challenges through collaboration, evidence-based decision-making and genuine community participation. She has led high-performing, multidisciplinary teams who have delivered projects that have influenced policy, strengthened partnerships and improved outcomes for communities.