AKJ Services
You can hear Jessie’s story at the DCOH Women in Business Lunch with Rochelle Courtenay: Turning pain into purpose in Darwin on Friday 9 October 2026.
Jessie Risk is a proud Larrakia woman, local developer, accomplished business leader, and founder and managing director of AKJ Services Pty Ltd, a 100% Indigenous-owned construction company based in Darwin. A proud mother of 5, Jessie established and financially backed the business in 2018 with a vision to create lasting employment and career opportunities for her family, Larrakia people and the broader Northern Territory community.
Since then, Jessie has grown AKJ Services into one of the Territory’s respected Indigenous-owned construction businesses. She leads the company’s strategic direction and oversees its business operations, financial management, workforce development and overall performance. Her leadership is grounded in a strong focus on quality, creating opportunities and making a positive difference in the community.
Deeply connected to Larrakia Country and passionate about creating opportunities for future generations, Jessie comes from a family with longstanding ties to the construction industry. Through AKJ Services, she has built a business that not only delivers high-quality projects, but also creates meaningful employment and social and economic opportunities for the local community.
Jessie’s achievements in business and community have been widely recognised. In 2024, she was named NAIDOC Northern Territory Woman of the Year. She was also awarded the 2023 NAWIC NT Crystal Vision Award and named 2022 NTIBN Female Business Leader of the Year, with AKJ Services also receiving Business of the Year honours.
Jessie’s story is one of leadership, resilience and a genuine commitment to creating opportunities for others. Through AKJ Services, she has turned her vision into a thriving Indigenous-owned business that strengthens the local economy, creates pathways for future generations and contributes to the wider Northern Territory community. Her success reflects not only what she has achieved in business, but the lasting impact she is creating for her family, her community and Larrakia Country.
