Making Housing Work for Communities

 

Jacqui Herring is the Managing Director of Nesti Housing, a Western Australian not-for-profit community housing provider delivering social and affordable housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), and real estate services through Nesti Realty. She brings more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning housing, homelessness, community services, commissioning, governance and public sector reform.

Before joining Nesti in 2026, Jacqui held several senior executive roles with the Western Australian Department of Communities, including Executive Director Commissioning and Contracting, Executive Director Homelessness, and Regional Executive Director North Metropolitan Region. Earlier in her career, she worked with former Housing Authority and the Public Sector Commission, contributing to significant policy, service delivery and organisational transformation initiatives.

An agile and collaborative leader, Jacqui is recognised for her strengths in strategy, systems thinking, stakeholder engagement and leading complex change. She holds an Executive Master of Public Administration through ANZSOG and Curtin University, a Bachelor of Psychology from Edith Cowan University, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), and has completed the Leadership WA Signature Leadership Program.

Passionate about creating positive social impact, Jacqui is driven by the belief that safe, secure housing changes lives. She is committed to building strong partnerships, strengthening organisational capability and developing innovative housing solutions that improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities across Western Australia.

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position.

My career spans more than 30 years in the Western Australian public sector and has been shaped by a desire to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. What started as a temporary role became a career dedicated to public service, community outcomes and organisational leadership. Along the way, I had the opportunity to work with the Public Sector Commission, the former Housing Authority and, most recently, the Department of Communities.

At the Department of Communities, I held a number of executive leadership roles, including Regional Executive Director Community Services North Metropolitan Region, Executive Director Homelessness and Executive Director Commissioning and Contracting. These roles provided invaluable experience in housing, homelessness, community services and system reform.

A common thread throughout my career has been seeking opportunities where I can have the greatest impact. The transition from government to the not-for-profit sector was not a decision I made lightly. After three decades in public service, I was drawn to the opportunity to lead Nesti Housing and contribute directly to addressing some of the most pressing housing challenges facing our communities. It felt like a natural next step, bringing together my experience in housing, governance and commissioning with a deep commitment to social impact. Today, as Managing Director of Nesti Housing, I have the privilege of leading  a dedicated team and organisation focused on creating housing solutions that change lives.

What drives you to do the work that you do?

What drives me is a simple belief: housing changes lives.

Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the transformative impact that safe, stable and appropriate housing can have on individuals, families and communities. Housing is often the foundation upon which everything else is built. It influences health, education, employment opportunities, community connection and overall wellbeing.

Whether working in homelessness services, housing policy, commissioning or community housing, I have always been motivated by the knowledge that our work has a tangible impact on people's lives. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have been seeing individuals move from crisis to stability, knowing that secure housing has helped create new opportunities and greater independence.

I am also driven by the challenge of finding solutions to complex social issues. Housing affordability, homelessness and disability accommodation are challenges that require innovation, collaboration, and long-term thinking. No single organisation or sector can solve them alone.

What continues to inspire me is working alongside passionate people who are equally committed to creating positive change. When governments, community organisations, tenants and local communities work together, we can achieve outcomes that genuinely improve lives. Being part of that collective effort is what motivates me every day.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career?

I would tell my younger self to back yourself more often and not be afraid of opportunities that seem beyond your comfort zone.

Looking back, many of the opportunities that ultimately shaped my career were the ones that initially felt the most daunting. At the time, it was easy to focus on what you do not know or the experience you think you lack. With hindsight, I realise that growth seldom happens when you stay within familiar territory.

I would also remind myself that careers are rarely linear. Some of the most valuable experiences I gained came from moving into different sectors, taking on unfamiliar challenges and learning from diverse teams. Every role teaches you something, even if you cannot immediately see how it will contribute to your future.

Another lesson I would share is that leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about listening, learning, building relationships and creating an environment where others can succeed. The most effective leaders I have worked with were those who remained curious, authentic and willing to learn from the people around them.

Most importantly, I would say trust the journey. Often the opportunities that seem uncertain in the moment become the experiences that shape who you are and where you ultimately end up.

Any words you live by every day?

There are two quotes that have had a profound influence on how I approach leadership and life.

The first is Maya Angelou's famous observation:

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Throughout my career, this has served as a reminder that leadership is fundamentally about people. Whether working with colleagues, partners, tenants or stakeholders, the way we treat others matters. People remember whether they felt respected, valued and genuinely heard. The strongest relationships and the most successful collaborations are built on trust, empathy and authenticity.

The second is a personal philosophy that guides my daily approach:

"Be purposeful, be curious and be kind."

Purpose keeps me focused on creating meaningful outcomes. Curiosity reminds me that there is always more to learn and that innovation often comes from challenging accepted thinking. Kindness ensures that I never lose sight of the human impact behind decisions and outcomes.

After more than 30 years working across government, housing and community services, I have learned that meaningful change is achieved through relationships. Success is rarely the result of one individual. It comes from people working together with a shared purpose and a commitment to making a positive difference.

What are you currently watching, reading or listening to?

I have always been curious by nature, so I gravitate towards content that helps me better understand people, leadership and the systems that shape our communities.

In terms of reading, I am drawn to articles and publications that explore housing, community development, governance and social impact. Given the significant challenges facing the housing sector across Australia, I spend time keeping up with emerging trends, policy developments and innovative approaches being adopted across the sector. I also enjoy leadership books that focus on organisational culture, change management and building resilient teams.

I recently finished listening to Jacinda Ardern's memoir and found it to be a refreshing and honest perspective on leadership. What resonated most was her exploration of the emotional and psychological realities of leadership, the challenges of balancing motherhood in the public eye, and the value of leading with empathy. I particularly appreciated her openness about experiencing impostor syndrome and anxiety, and how she reframed those experiences not as weaknesses but as qualities that can foster self-awareness, resilience and more authentic leadership. It reinforced my belief that effective leadership is not about having all the answers, but about being genuine, listening deeply and remaining connected to the people you serve.

After more than three decades in leadership roles, I still believe that curiosity is one of the most valuable qualities a person can bring to their work and to life.