Jess Silva – A Trailblazing Presenter, Sustainability Advocate, and Champion for Women in Sport
Few personalities bridge the gap between sport, sustainability, and storytelling as powerfully as Jess Silva. A dynamic presenter, commentator, and broadcast journalist, she embodies the modern fusion of athletic passion and environmental purpose. As the Co-Founder of Carbon Jacked and Second Nature Sisters, Jess has carved a distinct niche—uniting sport, nature, and women’s empowerment under one powerful message: saving the planet shouldn’t be boring.
Early Life and Education of Jess Silva
Jess Silva, also known professionally as Jess Silva (Rogers), grew up with a love for sport, performance, and the outdoors. From her school years at The Toynbee School, she demonstrated leadership and athletic excellence, earning recognition as Head Girl and excelling in netball, athletics, football, swimming, drama, and dance. Her early achievements showcased a unique blend of energy, teamwork, and creativity that would later define her broadcasting career.
Continuing her academic journey, Jess attended Peter Symonds College, where she pursued A-Levels in History, Classics, English Literature, and Drama. She also captained the 1st Team Netball squad, reaffirming her enduring commitment to sport.
Her higher education at the University of Birmingham culminated in a BA (Hons) in Classical Literature and Civilisation and Drama and Theatre Arts, combining intellectual curiosity with performance. Later, Jess completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism at Birmingham City University, accredited by the BJTC (Broadcast Journalism Training Council). This professional training equipped her with the skills that would drive her into major UK and international broadcasting roles.
The Early Career Journey of Jess Silva
Before she became a familiar face and voice across screens, Jess Silva gained hands-on experience in communications, events, and marketing. She worked as a Communications and Marketing Officer for the University of Birmingham Guild of Students, where her passion for connecting audiences and delivering engaging content began to flourish.
Her early event experience included roles at Red Bull UK, where she served in multiple positions, including Field Marketing Specialist, Sports Marketing and Events Manager, and International Project Manager. During this period, Jess created and managed large-scale sporting events such as Red Bull Switch Up, Neptune Steps, and Pump Track, expanding the reach of adventure and extreme sports across regions such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
These formative years at Red Bull honed her project management, creative content production, and on-camera presenting skills, providing the foundation for her transition into television and live broadcasting.
Rising Through the Ranks: Broadcasting and Sports Presentation
England Netball and the Commonwealth Games
Jess’s strong connection with women’s sport deepened during her tenure at England Netball, where she rose through roles including Head of Major Events & Netball Superleague and Events Consultant and Presenter for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Her leadership uplifted the production and professionalism of major tournaments such as the Vitality Netball Nations Cup, the Quad Series, and Superleague Season Opener.
She also hosted #SuperleagueSocial, a chat show connecting netball fans nationwide, and directed the Goalden Globes Awards and Superleague Grand Finals. These achievements positioned her as both a creative producer and a prominent on-screen figure in the sport.
Jess Silva’s Expanding Broadcast Portfolio
As a trained broadcast journalist, Jess Silva established herself as an engaging, articulate, and confident presence across various media platforms. She has presented for leading networks such as Sky Sports, BBC, ITV, and Eurosport, covering a vast range of disciplines including rugby, football, trail running, mountain biking, cycling, sailing, and athletics.
Her versatility is reflected in her collaborations with World Athletics, Formula E, Extreme E, Premiership Women’s Rugby, SailGP, and the Golden Trail World Series. As an international sports commentator, she has covered elite races and tournaments across Europe, providing hours of live, insightful, and inspiring commentary.
At Sky Sports, Jess Silva fronted the Sky Sports Sustainability Series—a seven-part programme exploring how the sporting world can take action on climate change. Her ability to merge storytelling with sustainability made her a standout figure in a growing field of environmentally conscious broadcasting.
Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Leadership
Co-Founder of Carbon Jacked
In 2020, Jess Silva co-founded Carbon Jacked, an environmental start-up built on the principle that saving the planet shouldn’t be boring. The organisation works with businesses, sports teams, and individuals to creatively combat climate change.
As Co-Founder and Creative Director, Jess oversees communications, education programmes, and engagement initiatives—helping organisations connect sustainability with everyday action. Carbon Jacked delivers everything from carbon accounting and net-zero strategies to vibrant employee engagement campaigns and climate education.
Under her leadership, Carbon Jacked has become known for its fresh, approachable, and energetic tone—reflecting Jess’s belief that environmentalism should be as exciting and inclusive as sport itself.
Founder of Second Nature Sisters
In 2024, Jess Silva launched Second Nature Sisters, a free global community designed to empower women working in or aspiring to work in sustainability. The platform centres around Community, Inspiration, and Careers, offering mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities for women to thrive within the sustainability sector.
Her aim is to “add spice whilst doing it”—creating a space that is unapologetically bold, supportive, and vibrant. Through events, social media, and digital content, Second Nature Sisters has become a lively hub for connection and empowerment.
Advocacy and Advisory Roles
Jess Silva’s impact extends beyond broadcasting and entrepreneurship. She proudly serves on the Advisory Panel of the Women’s Sport Collective, an initiative led by Fearless Women, which drives equity, inclusion, and opportunity across women’s sport.
In 2024, she also contributed to the United Nations Verified Champions Initiative, an international programme dedicated to responsible communication and awareness in sustainability and social impact. Her work bridges policy, sport, and storytelling, amplifying voices for climate action and gender representation on global platforms.
Podcasting, Public Speaking, and Live Events
Beyond television, Jess is a passionate podcaster and event host. She hosts Pretty Covered, a podcast exploring powerful human stories—most notably her moving interview with Kelsey Parker, where they discussed grief, resilience, and hope.
As a keynote speaker and moderator, Jess has appeared at major events such as Sport Positive Summit, Blue Earth Summit, Everything in Sport – Women’s Edition, and Edie Conferences, inspiring audiences with her insights on sustainability, leadership, and purpose.
She’s equally adept in live-event production and sports presentation, having worked on major tournaments including the Rugby World Cup, Netball Super League, Formula E, and Cycling World Championships. Her charisma, authenticity, and professional discipline make her a trusted presence both on and off screen.
Recognition and Awards
Jess Silva’s excellence has been recognised through multiple awards and leadership positions. She was named Student Employee of the Year by the University of Birmingham Guild of Students in 2014 and received the Coaches Player of the Year Award from the university’s Netball Team Head Coach for her dedication and teamwork.
Her selection to prestigious roles such as the Women’s Sport Collective Advisory Panel and UN Verified Champion further underscores her credibility and commitment to making sport and sustainability more inclusive, transparent, and impactful.
Personal Life and Interests
While Jess Silva maintains a professional focus on her career and advocacy, she is also a certified yoga teacher and passionate adventurer. Her social-media presence—particularly on Instagram (@jess.silva.wild)—showcases her love of nature, travel, and wellness. Based in the UK, with Portuguese roots, Jess reflects a balance of global awareness and grounded authenticity.
Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: sport, sustainability, and storytelling can coexist to shape a better, more conscious future.
FAQs
1. Who is Jess Silva?
Jess Silva is a UK-based TV presenter, commentator, and broadcast journalist known for her work across sport, sustainability, and adventure. She is the Co-Founder of Carbon Jacked and Second Nature Sisters and a United Nations Verified Champion.
2. What does Jess Silva do?
She presents and commentates for global broadcasters such as Sky Sports, BBC, ITV, Eurosport, and World Athletics. She also leads sustainability and women-empowerment projects through her ventures Carbon Jacked and Second Nature Sisters.
3. What is Carbon Jacked?
Carbon Jacked is an environmental start-up co-founded by Jess Silva. It helps businesses, sports teams, and individuals creatively tackle climate change through education, engagement programmes, and net-zero strategies.
4. What is Second Nature Sisters?
Second Nature Sisters is an international community founded by Jess Silva that empowers women working—or aspiring to work—in sustainability. It offers inspiration, career guidance, and a supportive network for women around the world.
5. Is Jess Silva married?
Jess Silva keeps her personal life private and has not publicly shared details about her marital status or relationships. She is best known for her professional achievements in broadcasting and environmental advocacy.
Jess Silva’s Legacy and Vision
Jess Silva continues to redefine what it means to be a modern broadcaster. Through her work, she blends performance and purpose—proving that entertainment and environmental responsibility can thrive side by side. Whether she’s commentating at the world’s biggest sporting events, building communities for women in sustainability, or hosting conversations that spark change, her influence is undeniable.
Her story is not just about presenting sport—it’s about presenting a better world. With energy, empathy, and endless curiosity, Jess Silva stands as a voice of optimism for a generation determined to use sport as a force for good.
