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.
Luke is a proud father of two premature daughters, Chloe (13) and Isla (10), whose early arrivals shaped his family’s journey and connection to the neonatal community. Chloe was born at 26 weeks’ gestation at Liverpool Hospital, and Isla followed a few years later at 27 weeks’ gestation at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Experiencing the NICU twice gave Luke a deep understanding of the challenges, uncertainty and strength that define life with a premature baby. His lived experience drives his commitment to supporting other families navigating similar journeys and contributing meaningfully to the work of Miracle Babies Foundation.
After experiencing miscarriage, endometriosis surgery and IVF, Jess fell pregnant with identical twin girls, Isla and Violet. Complications arose early with many hospital trips before being admitted at 23 weeks to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney for cervical incompetence. Isla and Violet were born at 24+4, at 581g and 673grams. Unfortunately, 10 days later Isla was diagnosed with Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) and was rushed to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead for surgery. In twin fashion, Violet followed two weeks later. While there were many ups and downs for Violet and a further two surgeries, she came home after 157 days in hospital and is now a thriving almost 3-year-old. Sadly, Isla continued to struggle following her NEC diagnosis and was placed on palliative care. She passed away at 4 months old. As all NICU parents know, every day is a roller coaster of new fears and hopes and medical issues that you didn’t know where possible. Jess hopes her experience can help others and also be a voice for the babies don’t make it home.
Rachel is mum to Anne and Wlademir. Anne was born at 33 weeks’ gestation, weighing 1.7kg, after a premature rupture of membranes at 31 weeks. Rachel spent two weeks admitted at St John of God Hospital before Anne firmly decided it was time to arrive. After a two-minute ambulance ride, Anne was born twelve hours later at Fiona Stanley Hospital. Anne spent four weeks in NICU and SCN at Fiona Stanley Hospital, where Miracle Dad Felipe and Rachel met Megan — the Miracle Babies angel they didn’t know they needed at NurtureTime. Rachel and Anne had a short time at home before returning to the Mother and Baby Unit at Fiona Stanley Hospital for another four weeks, where Rachel received support for Postnatal Depression and Anxiety. After five years attending Willetton NurtureGroup, Anne is now nine and thriving, alongside her full-term “wireless” seven-year-old brother, Wlademir. Rachel is a full-time working parent, constantly running between work, school pick up, activities and the gym. She also generously gives her time to the Parent and Patient Advisory Group, while making the most of every opportunity to travel the world with the family.
Consumer Representative
Ashleigh is mum to Charlie and George. Charlie was born in 2022 at 23 weeks and 3 days gestation weighing 572g, after Ashleigh went into labour spontaneously at 21 weeks and 5 days gestation. Charlie spent 138 days in NICU and SCN initially across Liverpool Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick. After multiple surgeries, the first at just under 1kg in weight, 80 days on a ventilator, sepsis scares, prolonged jaundice, Charlie went home on oxygen after his 20 week hospital stay. He is now thriving and a big brother to George, born in 2023 at 36 weeks and 2 days gestation, after a threatened premature birth at 34 weeks and 2 days. Luckily, he did not need any time in the SCN. Ashleigh has been interviewed on 2GB radio by Miracle Babies ambassador and board member Deborah Knight in 2023. Ashleigh is excited to use the knowledge she gained across five different hospitals, three NICUs, dozens of doctors and months in the NICU to help improve the experience of NICU families wherever possible. Ashleigh and her family would like to thank Dr Shakil Ahmed, without whom they would not have two living miracle babies.
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