Baidam appoints Jo Masters as MD

Australian Indigenous IT security partner Baidam has appointed Jo Masters to the newly created role of managing director, following an extensive nationwide search.

Masters is a proud Ngiyampaa woman who grew up on Mparntwe land, and brings over 25 years of global experience to the position.

"Jo was a standout candidate throughout an intensive, competitive recruitment process," Jack Reis, co-founder and owner of Baidam, said.

As a result of Masters' hiring, Reis and fellow co-founder Pip Jenkinson have transitioned to executive director roles.

Masters has held several senior leadership positions including general manager for SoftBrands, chief executive of Tquila, and vice president of partners and international sales for Sertifi.

"She brings grounded leadership, has successfully grown businesses abroad, managed international and national businesses in challenging environments, and led national operations," Reis said.

Baidam operates on a profit-for-purpose model, reinvesting over 50 per cent of annual profits to create new pathways into IT employment for Indigenous and First Nations People.

"Jo's skills will strengthen our ability to scale that vision while solidifying our role as a key player in Australia's cybersecurity landscape - leading with capability, customer service, and a clear purpose that sets us apart," Jenkinson said.

Masters has also served as a non-executive director of Yirigaa and as a Telstra partner advisory board member and co-chair.

"Working for an Australian-owned, multi-award-winning Supply Nation Certified Indigenous IT security partner that provides true social outcomes ticks so many boxes for me personally and professionally," Masters said.

She described the role as a genuine opportunity to apply her career experience to serve and give back to Indigenous communities.

"You only have to spend thirty minutes with Jack and Pip to understand how much they truly care about their social initiatives and how much they contribute to First Nations People," Masters said.

Despite the creation of the managing director position, Baidam's company ownership structure remains unchanged, with Reis and Jenkinson continuing their work on national security business and championing social impact initiatives at an executive level.

Masters will be based at Baidam's Sydney office on Gadigal Country.