Jess Karlsson

Over the past 15 years, Jess has managed and led recreation centres, health, community, disability, and youth services, across QLD, NT and WA. She moved from the Northern Territory to WA, from a YMCA CEO role, as part of an international non-profit organisation, to become CEO of Cahoots (previously known as Kids’ Camps Inc.) in 2015. During Jess’s 6.5 years, at Cahoots, the team of Board, staff and volunteers together transformed the organisation, more than quadrupling in size and continues to evolve and flourish to date.

Jess’s leadership style is inclusive, enthusiastic, and collaborative, focusing on developing teams, community and social impact, partnerships, and business opportunities to help organisations shine and succeed.

Formal tertiary studies; BA Exercise Sciences (Ex Phys.), Dip. Sport Mgmt./Development, Dip. Business, Dip. of Management, Dip. of Community Governance (inc. Risk Mgmt.), Dip. In Coaching (Exec), AICD Company Directors’ Course.

Current community volunteering engagements include Night Manager Telethon Community Cinemas, supporting young people who face exceptional challenges on camps and programs & Mentor for Leadership WA’s Leadability cohort.

Jess also advocates actively for community causes by supporting and leading challenges to raise awareness, through fundraising activities to support young people, such as, Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Abseiling Central Park, House Building Youth Projects & Cycling 500km to Uluru from Alice Springs in one day.

Jess has dedicated her life to positively impacting the lives of young people, and helping keep them safe, whilst providing them with opportunities to live their best life.

Jess proudly commenced as CEO at Scouts WA in February 2022, and looks forward to working with all its stakeholders to continue building the brand, community impact, and sustainability of Scouts in WA.