James Maskey is a purpose‑driven mental health leader, advocate, and public speaker. He is recognised for his ability to translate complex mental health issues into practical, human‑centred conversations that inspire understanding, connection, and action.
As Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA), James leads a national federation that has supported people living with mental ill‑health, along with their families, carers, and kin, for nearly four decades. His work spans mental health policy reform, suicide prevention, lived‑experience leadership, and strengthening community‑based support systems across Australia.
James brings a rare combination of executive leadership and lived experience to the stage. A former police officer who served in frontline and investigative roles, James developed PTSD as a direct result of occupational trauma. This experience fundamentally shapes his speaking—offering audiences an honest, compassionate, and grounded perspective on anxiety, depression, trauma, recovery, and the critical role of early, well‑matched support.
James is a sought‑after speaker for workplaces, conferences, and community forums, known for reducing stigma, improving psychological safety, and empowering people to seek help and support others. His contributions have been recognised nationally, including the 2023 R U OK? Barbara Hocking Memorial Conversation Leader Award and inclusion in Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25.