Jessica’s passion for news and current affairs has seen her become one of Australia’s best-known TV presenters and admired by viewers for her warm, down-to-earth manner and infectious laugh. Co-hosting Studio 10 marked Jessica return to Network Ten after eight years, where she was the news presenter on First At Five for ten years. Prior to returning to Network Ten, Jessica was news anchor on Weekend Sunrise on the Seven Network and was co-host of The Today Show on the Nine Network. She has also competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2007.

Jessica began her journalism career in 1993 after graduating from Charles Sturt University with a degree in Communications. She has also studied at Sydney University, achieving a Masters of International Studies.

Jessica is also a published author. In August 2015 Jessica released her insightful and inspiring memoir Is This My Beautiful Life? (Allen & Unwin), which has proven to be a bestseller and is now in reprint. Jessica co-authored her first book with her mother, Penelope Rowe, titled The Best Of Times, The Worst Of Times (Allen & Unwin), an account of their family’s experience living with Penelope’s bipolar disorder. Her second book, the bestselling Love, Wisdom, Motherhood (Allen & Unwin), reveals the struggles, joys and heartache of motherhood through the account of eleven women.

Aside from news and current affairs, Jessica has made an indelible mark on Australian society with her advocacy work for mental health. She is a patron for the Mental Health Council of Australia, Mum4Mum; an ambassador for Beyondblue; an ambassador for Camp Kookaburra and Welcome To Australia (an organisation assisting refugee families in Australia); a board member of the George Gregan Foundation; a member of the IVF Australia Ethics Committee; and is involved with the Exodus Foundation and Community Brave (a campaign supporting bullied youths). All of Jessica’s philanthropic endeavours saw her receive an Order of Australia for her work in mental health advocacy at the Australia Day honours in 2015.

In her personal life, Jessica is married to Nine News reader and 60 Minutes reporter Peter Overton. Together, they have two beautiful young daughters, Allegra and Giselle.

Hear Jessica speak in Seen + Heard Break Out session, as part of Our Rightful Place.