LGBTQ+ Leader Stories: Jessie Weavers-Medina

Jessie (she/her) is a community leader and advocate. She believes in the potential of visible, courageous leadership to help foster more inclusive environments where everyone feels safe, valued, and able to thrive. She tells us about her busy working life at Oxford, how she got here, and what she hopes the future will bring. 

Read Jessie's full story 

Jessie's approach to leadership

"For me, leadership means showing up with integrity and compassion, and recognising that inclusive spaces don’t build themselves; they’re shaped through deliberate, sustained action. At Oxford, I lead the administrative function of a research centre, but my work extends far beyond day-to-day operations. I believe leadership is about creating space for others to thrive, challenging systems that exclude, and showing up with courage and conviction."

Journey to Oxford 

"When I arrived in Oxford in 2016, I didn’t have a degree or an impressive CV. I left school after finishing my GCSEs and had little professional experience. I joined the University through the Temporary Staffing Service, and after a couple of successful placements, I secured a role in the Planning and Council Secretariat. That early exposure to governance opened my eyes to the power of decision-making spaces, and to how often those spaces fall short of being inclusive and representative. That experience sparked something in me. I saw how critical it was to have lived experience represented in leadership, and I knew I wanted to be part of changing that.

"Over the following years, I worked across several UAS functions, building my knowledge of the University and its systems. Eventually, I took on a leadership role at the Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation at Kellogg College. There, I  secured a place on the Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship. I was honoured with the Higher Apprentice of the Year award at both the University’s and Oxfordshire’s Apprenticeship Awards ceremonies, and last autumn, I graduated with a First; something I never imagined possible when I left school."

Personal and public visibility

"It was during this journey that I came out as a trans woman, midway through my career. That experience was deeply personal but also unavoidably public, and it brought with it a host of challenges. I had to navigate shifting perceptions, internal doubt, and the uncomfortable reality that living authentically in professional spaces isn’t always easy. At times, it felt like I had to prove my worth all over again. But it also clarified my purpose. Living openly allowed me to lead more honestly, and helped me understand just how important visibility really is.

"Motivated by my experiences in governance, I undertook Young Trustee training and have now served on several boards as a trustee and governor. These roles have often placed me as the youngest person at the table, and frequently the only openly LGBTQ+ person. That visibility has come with challenges, but also with real purpose. I’ve seen a growing desire across many organisations to create more inclusive environments, however, without lived experience in the room, even the best intentions can fall short. I feel driven by the desire to bridge that gap and ensure we move from intent to impact."

Taking on new leadership opportunities

"That’s also what led me to take on broader roles supporting equality and inclusion across the University. I currently serve as the elected trans representative on Oxford’s LGBT+ Advisory Group, and I’m a co-leader of the EDI Community of Practice. Both roles allow me to push for meaningful, systemic change; whether that's shaping policy, creating inclusive networks, or empowering others to lead. In addition to my professional role, I actively contribute to community initiatives in Oxford that support and advocate for trans people, using my leadership experience to amplify their voices and push for systemic change.

"I’ve been lucky to have incredible mentors and line managers who recognised my potential and encouraged me to step into leadership. They demonstrated trust, flexibility, and care, all qualities that I now strive to bring to my own leadership. I want the people I lead to feel confident in their abilities, trusted in their decisions, and free to show up as their whole and true selves. I want them to know their success will be celebrated and their growth fully supported. Most of all, I want them to understand this: they don’t have to change who they are to belong, they belong because of who they are."

Challenges and hopes for the community 

As a community, our strength lies in our willingness to listen, learn and act. Inclusion isn’t a destination or a fixed goal, it’s a continuous, everyday practice. It means recognising difference not as a challenge, but as a strength. It means creating systems that adapt to meet people’s diverse needs, and fostering environments where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute fully.

"These values have never felt more urgent. In a time when being visibly trans can carry real risk, choosing to lead openly is both a challenge and a statement of strength. But leadership isn’t just about what you say, it’s about how you show up. Visibility, when rooted in integrity and purpose, has the power to shift culture and when leadership reflects the true diversity of our communities, it doesn’t just represent change, it drives it. I stand proudly in who I am, because I know that every time we lead with authenticity, we make space for others to rise too."