Jess Riddell is an independent trustee. She is an experienced lawyer and policy adviser, specialising in resource management, planning and local government law. She is a member of the New Zealand Law Society and is admitted as a Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. 

She is currently principal adviser/legal counsel at Te Kura Taka Pini, the freshwater group of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Jess is also a co-owner of a small social enterprise, Offcut, and sits on other community-focused boards. 

Jess was the inaugural intern trustee with ŌCHT, spending two years learning and being mentored before stepping into a full trustee role. Jess is passionate about serving her local community and knows how a safe, affordable, and comfortable home can make a positive difference to the wellbeing of not only tenants and their families but the wider communities they are part of.