Fight for fair drives career connection
Growing up with his single mum, in regional Queensland, and disconnected from his Indigenous heritage, Jesse Trecco-Alexander saw the impacts of inequality first-hand.
Determined to drive change, he pushed into politics, then a CQUniversity Bachelor of Laws, human services, corrections and parole reform, and health care.
The young changemaker’s diverse experiences and skills are key to his career making business and government ethical and accountable to the people they serve.
Now the managing director at boutique qtb Advisory Group, Jesse’s work has been recognised with CQUniversity’s 2025 Alumnus of the Year Award – Early Career.
Jesse has cultural connections to the Bindal People in the North Queensland region, and is a descendant of the Yugambeh People in South-East Queensland.
He was just 19 years old when he first ran as ALP candidate for Hinchinbrook in 2015 – but his passion for his community started much younger, in his hometown of Ingham.
“I was seeing a very significant cohort of young people who were disengaged from our community, and I wanted to be really proactive to help them choose pro-social activities… and avoid perhaps descending to a life of crime, or bad life decisions,” he said.
Establishing a youth group, and working to grow opportunities for young people in the region, he realised how much community connection can impact lives.
“I think studying law at CQUniversity allowed me not to be defined by some of those challenges that I experienced as a younger person,” he said.
“Instead I developed a sense of self, and got to sit at the table as an equal.
“I think that that's the beautiful thing about Australia, about regional Australia particularly, and institutions like CQU – you’re not defined or limited by the postcode you come from, or your upbringing, and CQUniversity let me define myself.”
Since graduating in 2020, Jesse has created more opportunities for regional young people, driving partnerships between his firms and CQUniversity, to establish First Nations career development and mentorship programs.
Jesse previously led development of the $14 million pilot Adult Mental Health Centre in Townsville, and is currently a probity and process advisor for the $38 million Closing the Gap Outcomes and Evidence Fund.
The Alumni Award recognises Jesse's impactful leadership and commitment to social change, evidenced through the development of For-Purpose partnerships to advance opportunities for marginalised communities and
First Nations peoples.
Learn more about CQUniversity's 2025 Alumni Award recipients here.
Transcript
[Music] I'm currently a probity and process advisor for the $38 million closing the Gap outcomes and evidence fund providing First Nations communities across Australia.
An opportunity to design innovative programs that target reducing the amount of children that are in out of home care, and also reducing the domestic and family violence experienced by women children and families. And really connecting that with ordinary people in communities participating in the design of those programs.
So the MOU that we have with Central Queensland University is really exciting and I'm thrilled about that. We actually saw the employment of a First Nations business student last year, and she went on to work on projects of national significance all from a small town of around 700 people, and despite what perhaps could be seen as a barrier - being her cultural background her geographical location. She was able to study learn work and gain access to a career experience that otherwise probably would not have been afforded to her that has the potential to be truly a life-changing opportunity.
