Championing Wellness and Inspiring Action- Jodiann

Whether she’s coordinating an island-wide wellness challenge, coaching Tee-ball on the weekends, or helping to protect Cayman’s natural environment, Jodiann Jackson brings the same steady purpose to everything she does: helping others live well. As an Engineering Technical Officer with the Department of Environment and Co-Deputy Chair of the Cayman Islands Government Wellness Committee, she has become a driving force behind initiatives that promote health, connection, and balance across the Cayman Islands Civil Service. Her work reflects an unwavering commitment to building a health care focused, more engaged, world-class public service for all Caymanians.

“You only have one life to live, so live it well,” Jodiann says. She hopes to inspire all civil servants, especially those based outside the Government Administration Building, to prioritise health and embrace active lifestyles.

A Role That Matters

At the Department of Environment, Jodiann contributes to environmental protection, sustainable development, and technical projects that benefit Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and the Sister Islands. Her expertise ensures government operations are grounded in environmental responsibility.

As a wellness champion, she strengthens the public service by supporting staff welfare and driving the Cayman Islands Government’s wider goals. Her dual focus, both technical and human, reflects her belief that the health of people and the planet are deeply connected. This balance also helps create a more positive work environment, where collaboration and support are prioritised.

From Passion to Initiative

For Jodiann, wellness is both an honour and a purpose. Being part of the wellness committee “allows me to explore my creative side while demonstrating to the civil service community that their health and well-being are a priority.”

She helps plan events, coordinate cross-department collaboration, and amplify resources across ministries, often working closely with Human Resources teams to ensure initiatives align with staff needs and policies. “Working alongside a diverse team with unique skill sets is inspiring,” she says. “It highlights what we can achieve when we combine different perspectives.”

Wellness, she adds, is now central to workplaces worldwide. “Our well-being directly impacts the quality of our work, and as civil servants, we are the tools that drive progress and innovation. By fostering a culture of wellness, we’re not just taking care of ourselves but ensuring we can serve our community effectively and with excellence.”

A healthier, more engaged workforce ultimately strengthens public trust and ensures the Cayman Islands Civil Service remains world-class.

Successes Worth Celebrating

One programme especially meaningful to Jodiann is Kind Regards. She encouraged her department to participate, and the results exceeded expectations. Colleagues exchanged anonymous gifts that sparked smiles, conversation, and camaraderie. “Seeing the joy, excitement, and curiosity … was heartwarming,” she recalls.

That kind of positive energy builds morale and strengthens bonds. Jodiann believes small gestures can have an outsized impact on workplace culture. She also emphasises that joining the initiative is simple: “It’s a wonderful opportunity to advocate for a healthier and more balanced work life.” Departments can connect with the wellness committee for workshops, joint activities, or shared resources, supporting all civil servants, wherever they work across the public sector.

Leading From The Front

Jodiann leads by example. She regularly participates in local sports events such as the Flowers Sea Swim, walkathons and runs including the Cayman Islands Half Marathon and Off-the-Beaten-Track, and other community activities. She also volunteers as a Tee-ball coach, promoting youth development through sport.

Her active involvement helps her understand the barriers staff may face when adopting healthy habits. She uses those insights to encourage wider participation in wellness challenges and to reach remote teams across the islands.

Her standout qualities include innovation, leadership, empathy, inclusivity, and consistency, all reflected in her daily actions and her unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.

Impact on Caymanians and the Public Service

When civil servants are healthier, the effects ripple outward. Improved well-being leads to more energy, focus, and lower absenteeism, enhancing public service delivery and trust in government.

Jodiann views wellness as essential to the civil service’s future, particularly amid change and rising expectations. Supporting health, mental health, and connection keeps the workforce resilient, adaptable, and aligned with the Cayman Islands Government’s goals. It also helps the public sector set a strong example for the private sector, demonstrating how investing in people leads to better outcomes across the community.

Connecting to Broader Government Priorities

The I Am a Civil Servant campaign on gov.ky highlights the people behind public service and reinforces the Cayman Islands Government’s support for its staff. Hon. Franz Manderson, Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service, has praised the campaign for helping position the civil service as a modern and supportive employer.

It also aligns with the Civil Service Strategic Plan 2024–2026, which focuses on accountability, innovation, and staff development. Wellness is central to these reforms, providing the foundation for initiatives such as enhanced parental leave and paternity leave and expanded opportunities for professional development.

A culture of wellness also supports civil servants through transitions such as secondments or redeployments. Departments that prioritise staff welfare are better equipped to manage change, foster mobility, and maintain performance.

Across ministries, including the Ministry of Health, wellness initiatives complement national health goals, supporting preventive care, public awareness, and collaboration across government. Leadership engagement from deputy chief officers to department heads reinforces a culture of trust and accountability.

Jodiann’s story has also gained attention beyond government, including on LinkedIn, where she shares updates that encourage others to lead healthier and more balanced lives both inside and outside of work.

Continued Action

Through her work at the Department of Environment and leadership in the wellness committee, Jodiann Jackson demonstrates how commitment and creativity can turn wellness from policy into practice. She bridges offices, regions, and teams, helping make well-being part of how civil servants live and serve.

She reminds us that public service is not just about delivering programmes; it’s about the people behind them. Her hope to inspire a healthier, more connected workforce reinforces that the government is not a distant institution but a living community of Caymanians who work, grow, and serve together.