James Maskey is a social change leader striving to enhance the mental, physical, and social wellbeing of the first responder community. James is currently the Director of Strategic Communication at Fortem Australia, the nation’s leading support organisation for first responders and their families.

James is also a former Police Officer, and navigates life with a diagnosis of PTSD, a condition directly linked to his frontline service. Despite this challenge, James is committed to thriving and empowering others in similar circumstances.

As a thought leader in the first responder sector, James is deeply committed to driving systemic cultural change, high-value policy reform, and additional government support to ensure positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes for first responders and their families across the country.

For his continued mental health advocacy, James received the 'Conversation Leader' award in the 2023 R U OK? Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards. He was also a finalist for 'Emerging Leader' in the 2023 Third Sector Awards and was named one of Pro Bono Australia's 'Impact 25 Award' recipients in 2020.