Our People
From all walks of life, Miracle Babies thrives through the passion, dedication, and lived experience of our incredible national team. Our Foundation is supported by a diverse group including our Board, NurtureProgram Support Workers, office and administration staff, Consumer Representatives, Ambassadors, and members of our Parent and Patient Advisory Groups. United by compassion and purpose, many of our team members bring personal experience of the neonatal journey, ensuring that the parent voice remains at the heart of everything we do.
As a Foundation built on lived experience, all of our NurtureProgram Support Team members are each parents themselves who have experienced the birth of a premature or sick newborn.
Together, we continue to drive change, provide support, and make a lasting difference for families across Australia.
CEO, Co-Founder, Board Director, & Consumer Representative
Kylie Pussell Co-Founded Miracle Babies Foundation in 2005 and has been a Board Director since 2009. After suffering a miscarriage and losing twin babies at 16 weeks, Kylie gave birth to her daughter Madeline at 30 weeks and was diagnosed with Cervical Incompetence. Madeline was cared for in Liverpool Hospital’s NICU for 6 weeks. Two years later, following a further miscarriage, Kylie delivered twins at just 25 weeks. Both were resuscitated at birth and cared for by the NICU. Sadly Kylie’s son Marcus passed away due to complications from his extreme prematurity. Her daughter Scarlet required ventilation and surgery. Scarlet was cared for in the NICU at Liverpool and Westmead Children’s Hospital and was discharged home just before her due date, 4 months later. Kylie’s son Liam was born at 38 weeks through planned c-section following a transabdominal cerclage. Kylie, a qualified counsellor, has played an integral role in the expansion of the Foundation’s program NurtureTime, the introduction of Miracle Babies Foundation to hospitals nationally and the development of national resources. She developed and implemented Miracle Babies Foundation’s successful volunteer program, designing National Volunteer Induction and Training with TAFE NSW. Kylie was selected in the inaugural The Growth Project in 2015. Kylie delivers presentations and forums on the Foundation to community and corporate, both nationally and internationally and shares her personal journey with her children, delivering parent support and positive change for premature and sick babies. Kylie highlights the needs for parents and families in the NICU and the years ahead. Kylie leads support for our bereaved families and assists families and educational institutions in the learning, social and emotional challenges some of these miracle babies experience in the early years, school aged years and adulthood. Kylie has been an instrumental leader in many new services the Foundation delivers, most recently Nurture ‘E’ – The EEE Impact. This information hub is designed to assist families through different life stages of their growing and developing child beyond the baby, infant and toddler years and supporting families through primary and high school right through to adulthood. Nurture E - The EEE Impact has been created in collaboration with parents and health professionals to provide families with Evidence, Education and Empowerment. She is CEO of the Foundation and passionate in driving the expansion of services and resources across Australia for all families to be supported, educated and empowered. Kylie was Secretary of the Board from 2009 to 2017 and appointed as CEO by the Board in 2017. In July 2019 Kylie became a Founding Committee member of GLANCE and in December 2019 was appointed to the Chair Committee of GLANCE. GLANCE - a global project delivered by EFCNI from 2019 to 2025. During 2019 and 2020 Kylie was a member of the Working Group on the ICHOM Preterm and Hospitalized Neonates Standard Set and in September 2020 was named Western Sydney Women – 2020 Community Woman of the Year. Kylie was also awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the Western Sydney University Women of the West Awards for Community 2020. In July 2021 Kylie became a member of the World Prematurity Day Parent Advisory Board and the World Prematurity Day Global Planning Group. In September 2021 she joined NSW Health Agency for Clinical Innovation as a consumer representative on Paediatric and Neonatal Clinical Care Task Force and the ACI Maternity and Neonatal Executive Committee. Kylie is a parent representative on numerous research projects, a previous member of the PSANZ Perinatal Palliative Care Special Interest Group and current member of the PSANZ Perinatal Ethics Special Interest Group and Newborn Stabilisation and Resuscitation Special Interest Group. In April 2022 Kylie was awarded as a Finalist in the NSW Women Of The Year Award – Woman of Excellence. In May 2022 Kylie presented the Nurture ‘E’ – The EEE Impact information hub at the global EFCNI Parent Summit in Germany. In 2022 she was invited to join the Advisory Board of parent organisation Prematuridade in Brazil. 2022 Kylie co-authored the article Impact of current Australian paid parental leave on families of preterm and sick infants published in the Journal of Paediatric and Child Health. Kylie also contributed to the published book Neonatal Nursing: A Global Perspective. Kylie is a consumer representative on the National Preterm Birth Prevention Collaboration and in 2023 was elected to the GFCNI Parent and Patient Advisory Board. In August 2023 Kylie was appointed to the NSW ACI Paediatric Network Executive Committee. Kylie was awarded the 2024 HESTA Excellence Awards – Community Services, Individual Leadership. In September 2024 Kylie joined the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC) Consumer Engagement Advisory Panel and is a member of the NSW AIFPL Chapter. Kylie was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal, General Division in the King’s Birthday Honour List 2025.
NurtureProgram Services Manager
I'm a proud mum of three, including two miracle babies born at 34+1 weeks due to preeclampsia. With my eldest son, I spent 9 weeks in hospital before his birth and another 7 weeks after, lucky to be able to stay by his side the whole time. With my second son, I was only admitted 3 days before delivery and could stay just 3 days post birth. Two very different journeys, both filled with strength, hope and love. Both boys spent time in the NICU and SNC at Nepean Hospital , and thanks to the incredible team there, they are now thriving young adults. I will always be grateful for the care and support we received from Nepean NICU and SCN. Those early days shaped our lives forever.
NurtureProgram WA Services Team Leader & Community Engagement
After many years of travelling around the country with my Navy husband, we have now settled in Perth to be close to family. For years I have wanted to 'give back' and support families who are walking a similar journey to the one I did (twice). After discovering the work that Miracle Babies do, I started as a volunteer at NurtureTime and now delighted to take on the role of NurtureProgram Support Worker. After caring for other people's children as an Early Childhood Teacher, I decided the time was right to have one of my own. After what I thought was an uneventful pregnancy, Angus was born via emergency C section at 28+2 weeks due to severe IUGR. After the ups and downs of the NICU he came home, only to return to the PICU where he required a tracheostomy which he had for 11 months. After many years trying to conceive again and many miscarriages (including an angel at 19 weeks), I became pregnant with a baby that was not expected to survive. After a very stressful pregnancy and weeks in hospital I had Saxon at 28+4 weeks due to severe IUGR. Another roller coaster journey and he eventually came home after 16 weeks, continuing on oxygen for 6 months.
NurtureProgram Services Team Leader, VIC
Alyce gave birth to identical twin girls at 24+1 weeks gestation due to TTTS. Maddison, born at 667g, spent 118 days in NICU and Paige, born at 495g, passed away shortly after the birth. Maddison had a very tumultuous time in hospital and Alyce regularly attended the support groups that were run for current NICU families. She found talking to experienced premmie mums and dads so valuable. After Maddison was discharged, Alyce found the only Melbourne Miracle Babies NurtureGroup and began attending. After 2 years she started coordinating the group and volunteering for the Miracle Babies PBC expo. Maddison has experienced many life long hurdles from her premature birth, including being deaf, and Alyce has found that her range of experience in the premature birth journey really helps her to connect with other prem parents and support them in their own journey. Alyce has since gone on to have two full term daughters.
NurtureProgram Services Team Leader, WA
Rachael has been a NurtureTime volunteer for Miracle Babies since 2019 and became a staff member in 2023. As an advocate for mental health recovery, Rachael is passionate about using her lived experience to provide information empathy, and support to families and individuals. In between raising her two boys, Rachael works part-time for Miracle Babies Foundation, holds a role as a guest speaker at Wanneroo Community Mental Health, and runs wellbeing and life skills workshops as an educator for WA Recovery College Alliance. When Rachael’s first son was in neonates 13 years ago, there wasn’t anything like Miracle Babies Foundation available to provide her the support she needed. This is the main reason she is eager to provide parent-to-parent support to families now.
NurtureProgram Support Worker, NSW
In 2023 Laura had her son Reggie, he was born unexpectedly at 27 weeks. In his first 4 days of life they went between 4 different hospitals- Wollongong, Royal North Shore, Westmead and then to Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick- which is where she had her first interaction with a miracle babies team member. They spent 60 very scary days in the NICU before being able to bring Reggie home. Before becoming a miracle mum, Laura was working as a specialised carer in dementia and palliative care and currently works for NSW SES as a flood storm call operator. she joined Miracle babies as a nurture program facilitator for Wollongong after receiving assistance through nurture time and nurture group. Noting the positive impact, it had and the comfort it brought, she is passionate about giving back and helping other families navigate their own journey in NICU, special care and at home.
NurtureProgram Support Worker - NSW
I'm a mum to two miracle babies. My eldest daughter was born at 35 weeks. My youngest daughter was born at 27 weeks. Because of my difficult journey I understand & have first-hand knowledge, making myself relatable & trusted to families going through similar circumstances.
NurtureProgram Support Worker, NSW
I am the proud mum of four amazing daughters, two of which were MCDA twins born during Covid. Due to the lockdown regulations, I had to go through my Antenatal and NICU journeys alone. The loneliness and hurt I experienced because of this inspired me to pledge that if I could, I would make sure no parent had to endure the lack of support I experienced. Miracle Babies has now given me the opportunity to make that pledge come to life.
NurtureProgram Support Worker, NSW
I am the proud mum to four beautiful boys. My journey with the special care baby unit in the UK started when my eldest was born small and had jaundice, being a young first time mum this was a very daunting experience but the nurses on the unit were so friendly and confident that they inspired me to look towards working in that environment in the future... 18 years later here I am in a new country providing support to families on their own Nicu journey.
NurtureProgram Support Worker, NSW
With over seven years at Clarins, I served as a Brand Ambassador and Beauty Consultant, leading the top-performing sales account in Australia at Myer Sydney City. My role was delivering exceptional customer service, conducting skincare consultations, and achieving key performance indicators through personalized beauty solutions. I also ran workshops and events, fostering client relationships and driving brand loyalty. My career took an unexpected turn when I went into premature labour with my twin boys at 28 weeks. Their early arrival introduced me to the challenges of the NICU and special care nurseries. Just 11 months later, I welcomed my third son, Jakob. Navigating motherhood with 3 under 1 and the complexities of raising children with special needs, including diagnoses of cerebral palsy and chronic lung conditions, reshaped my life's trajectory. With these I took the time to be committed to being a stay at home Mum and care for my children the past 17 years and now wanting to pay my experience forward to others on a similar journey, I am a NurtureProgram support worker for Miracle Babies.
NurtureProgram Support Worker, NT
Sophia is mum to two premmie babies - Aria who is now 8 and Ezra, now 4 and delivers our NurtureTime and NurtureGroup services in Darwin. Sophia and her husband embarked on IVF to start a family, after several failed attempts their family was blessed with two beautiful children. Aria was born at 37 weeks and required the care of the Special Care Nursery. Sophia’s youngest, Ezra, was born at 33 weeks, spending time in the NICU. “The time spent at the NICU and SCN were hard and scary and I am so thankful to the staff at Royal Darwin Hospital for their compassion and care.” Sophia is passionate about providing support and building a connection with families through on her own personal experience.
NurtureProgram Team Member
Marisa is Mum to two boys, her first spent time in SCN in Tamworth. When she’s not “Mumming”, Marisa is the Senior Psychologist in the Paediatric Psychology team at Tamworth Community Health Centre. Supporting the running of the Tamworth NurtureGroup is the best part of her job!
NurtureProgram Support Worker - VIC
My first child was born prematurely at 28 weeks gestation, weighing little more than one kilogram. He spent 67 days in NICU/SCN before finally being able to come home. Navigating our way through the ups and downs of having a baby in specialist care as first time parents was an exhausting, gut wrenching and a lonely experience. I began attending Nurture Group, with my son in 2017, when he was about 8 months old. We were warmly welcomed, and I instantly felt a sense of belonging. The support we have received from the facilitators and the many different families also in attendance over the years has been incredible. After being on the receiving end of the wonderful assistance and care from the Miracle Babies Foundation. I wanted to give back to this amazing community and help support other families who have walked a similar path or who are just beginning their NICU journey.
NurtureProgram Support Worker, SA
Danielle is a mother to her seven year old daughter, Esmeralda, who was born at 24 weeks gestation and spent a total of 109 days in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide. Although small for her age, Esmeralda is a thriving, curious and cheeky child who loves the outdoors, art and pokemon. "Like many parents in the thick of the NICU journey, I clearly remember the sense of relief I felt when I discovered the Miracle Babies Foundation. Knowing that programs like Nurture Time and Nurture Group exist for families with premature or unwell babies genuinely warms my heart. The time after leaving the hospital can be incredibly difficult and isolating, and I believe deeply in the power of connection during that transition. After experiencing firsthand how essential support can be, I am embracing the opportunity to help other families navigate their own NICU journey with compassion, understanding, and hope."
NurtureProgram Support Worker - QLD
Wendy’s NICU journey began when she gave birth at Manly Hospital just two weeks before it closed. Shortly after birth, her newborn showed signs of an irregular heartbeat and possible seizures, leading to an urgent transfer to Royal North Shore Hospital. “It was a whirlwind of tests, uncertainty, and fear. During that time, speaking with someone from Miracle Babies brought me comfort and helped me feel less alone.” Grateful for the support she received, Wendy is honoured to now give back as part of the Miracle Babies team. “I’m looking forward to supporting other families through their NICU journey, just as someone once supported me.”
NurtureProgram Support Worker - NSW
Mackenzie is a proud mum of an angel (born at 21 weeks) and miracle baby mum to Dawson who has born at 35 weeks. She previously worked in the disability sector for 10 years. After her experience in Special Care Nursery, she wanted to become a support person for other families. "I understand the unkown, anxiety and fear and I want families to feel supported, understood and to know they are not alone on their journey."
NurtureProgram Team Member - NSW
Mike is a currently a paediatric occupational therapist working in community health. He have worked with kids for 20 years since he was a teenager in various roles through sport, gymnastics and entertainment. Most of his 10 years as an OT has been in child health working with children aged 4 months to 18 years. He also has experience in rehab wards, aged care, and education. Mike's son was born at 34 weeks and spent some time in the SCN at Wollongong Hospital. He is now 7 months and doing well. "I realised through our experience and talking to mother's through my work that support systems locally were not there. I just want to help families to connect and hopefully set up further groups or programs for NICU dads." - Mike said
NurtureProgram Support Worker - VIC
Charleigh is a mother to her 2 year old daughter Tess, who was born at 30 weeks gestation spent a total of 73 days in the SCN at Geelong Hospital. Despite facing many obstacles early on, Tess is such a curious and overwhelmingly bright child. "As I'm sure many other parents who have been through the heartache of having a child in either the NICU or the SCN would agree, it is extremely hard to connect with other parents who haven't been through the same journey, that is why NurtureGroup played such a big role for me in those first few weeks after we brought Tess home! I'm very passionate about being able to offer that support to other families, through both NurtureGroup and NurtureTime."
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