Jessica Hatzis is one of Australia’s leading brand builders. As the co-founder of creative agency Willow & Blake and global skincare brand Frank Body (exited 2025), she has played a central role in building more than $1 billion in brand value across beauty, fashion, retail and consumer goods.
Today, Jess works at the intersection of creativity and commerciality, advising founders, transforming heritage brands, and launching new consumer ventures. She is currently leading the full-scale repositioning of 135-year-old Betts Shoes as CMO and shareholder, reshaping it into a modern, premium women’s brand.
Jess is also the founder of For Scale, an advisory and accelerator designed to give early-stage and scaling brands the strategic foundations, rigor, and support they need to grow. Her approach blends sharp storytelling, operational clarity, and a deep belief that “a rising tide lifts all boats.”
Jess’ best and most demanding role is as Mum to two daughters aged 5 and 1. They have no problem providing critical feedback and are known to rewrite their briefs without notice.
Known for her candid humour and no-fluff perspectives, Jess speaks on brand strategy, marketing, entrepreneurship, creative courage, and scaling consumer brands in a noisy world. Whether on stage or in the boardroom, she brings practical wisdom, honest lessons, and a philosophy she’s lived by for years: risk it for the biscuit.
Performance, Reinvention & The Confidence to Win the Room – In Conversation
A live Q&A with Jess Hatzis, in Discussion with MC Dr Ben Hamer and Next Gen Rep Thomas O’Connor
In this live Q&A keynote, Jess Hatzis explores the powerful connection between culture, commercial growth and personal confidence.
Jess will unpack why hiring and onboarding are performance strategies, not HR processes, and how high-performing teams are built intentionally, not accidentally. She’ll share what she looks for when hiring for team impact, how to avoid the trap of “culture fit,” and why performance standards must evolve as businesses grow.
Jess will also challenge the idea that confidence comes naturally to successful founders. A self-confessed introvert, she’ll share how she has had to consciously develop her networking and business development skills - walking into rooms full of strangers, building authentic relationships, and confidently “selling” without compromising who she is.
For recruiters and talent professionals, this is especially resonant. Because winning business isn’t just about capability - it’s about presence, connection and belief in your value.
You’ll learn:
