Our Team

Samantha Payne

 Co-founder & CEO 

Sam experienced the heartache of multiple miscarriages and couldn’t find the support she needed. Together with Gabbi, she brought to life a vision of a #circleofsupport, a community where women were supported, nurtured, and empowered along their journeys. She has a degree in Media and a PostGrad in Education with a background in business development and she is currently studying for an altMBA.  Sam’s a change-maker with a passion to make a difference.

Jen Wilkinson

Workplace Program Coordinator

Jen brings with her a decade of experience in women's reproductive health and is passionate about supporting individuals and families during the perinatal period.  Her focus is to champion our "Fertility in the Workplace Program" in the hope to empower organisations with the knowledge, training, and tools necessary to create a workplace culture that not only accommodates but genuinely supports individuals navigating pregnancy loss and associated fertility challenges.

"I firmly believe that workplaces play a pivotal role in shaping the experiences of families going through grief and loss. I've witnessed firsthand the deep and lasting effect that empathy, understanding and validation can have for families during this heartbreaking time. It is a true privilege to be a part of such an incredible organisation that is driving meaningful change and making a difference to the lives of bereaved parents."

Marianne Trinder

Bereavement Support Manager

Marianne is a Certified Practising Counsellor and Psychotherapist as well as a mindfulness instructor with over twenty-five years of experience in mindfulness practice. Marianne's personal experience with pregnancy loss inspired her to undertake further study and training in order to support others. 

“Pregnancy loss had a profound effect on my life. My experience was treated as a medical condition, but the significant emotional toll was rarely acknowledged or validated and I found it difficult to find support or understanding. I am excited to be part of an organisation which not only offers support but also focuses so strongly on raising awareness and reducing stigma around the emotional impacts of pregnancy loss.”

Amanda Tipping 

General Manager

Amanda spends her days sharing our mission to normalise early pregnancy loss through evidence, empathy and compassion. Her focus is across the entire Pink Elephants business, helping to support our growing team deliver much needed support to anyone going through pregnancy loss or associated fertility challenges. 

"At 13 weeks I had to medically terminate my second pregnancy. Going through this experience has provided me with a level of empathy for all bereaved parents who experience similar heartbreak. I also know firsthand how important it is for every workplace to provide employees going through early pregnancy loss the time, support, compassion and help they need to validate this grief."

Michelle Bussler 

Marketing Communication Manager 

Michelle is the face behind a lot of what you see online from Pink Elephants. She has worked in marketing and communications for 16+ years and was searching for an organisation who is changing the world - for the better.

"When I saw the ad for this position at Pink Elephants, I knew the role was meant for me. After losing three pregnancies, I feel so grateful and honoured to be part of such an inspiring, purpose-driven organisation. Some days I cry my way through content creation and some days I smile from ear-to-ear when I hear how we are helping people through their heartbreak."

Jack Roach

Healthcare Liaison 

Jack is a qualified Social Worker, with a Masters Degree in Health Management and Graduate Certificate in Applied Coaching.  At an age where a number of close friends have experienced early pregnancy loss, working at Pink Elephants was an opportunity to put his knowledge and experience into making a difference in their journey.  Jack wants to encourage change on the front line.  Educating and supporting clinicians to care for individuals who experience an early pregnancy loss.  Utilising his existing networks, Jack is hoping to build on the established foundations at Pink Elephants to ensure women receive the right care at the right time.

Danielle Mortlock

Peer Support Coordinator

After experiencing the devastation of recurrent pregnancy loss, Danielle reached out to our Pink Elephants Peer Support Program. The validation, warmth and support Danielle received inspired her to join Pink Elephants as a Peer Support Companion in 2021. She wanted to support other women experiencing early pregnancy loss in the same way she was supported. Danielle moved into the role of Peer Support Coordinator in 2022. 

"I want every woman going through early pregnancy loss to know they don't have to walk this journey alone. That what you are feeling is valid, understandable and that we are here for you."

Jacqui Grant 

People & Culture (HR) 

Jacqui is an HR professional with over 15 years experience working in both London and Sydney. More recently Jacqui has worked as People & Culture Manager at Accent Group, where she oversaw the HR functions for a number of their retail brands and support offices. After taking maternity leave to have her third son, Jacqui has started working as a Career Development Facilitator at the UNSW.

"I have been privileged to watch Pink Elephants grow from an idea that was born out of grief, to an amazing charity that is supporting thousands of women and their families across the country. The work that Sam and Gabbi have done to give miscarriage a voice, and bring it into the spotlight has been amazing. With my background in HR, I want to be able to assist Pink Elephants in reducing the stigma of miscarriage within the workplace and provide training to other HR and people managers on how to best support their team members in their time of need. I am also passionate about ensuring our National Employment Standards allow women and their partners the option for leave to provide them the time and space to grieve their loss."

Rebecca Page 

PR

Rebecca Page is a media relations and communications professional with more than 12 years experience working both in and with the Australian media industry. She works as Media Advisor for one of Australia’s most trusted and recognised brands, the NRMA. Prior to this role, she worked for NSW Health in a similar role. Before working in Public Relations, Rebecca worked as a journalist for Fairfax Media, the Seven and Nine Networks, and Sky News Australia.

"While on my first maternity leave, I struck up a friendship with PESN founders Sam and Gabbi in their local community, and felt compassionately compelled to volunteer my skills to help them reach more couples who need support, and to raise the profile of PESN among potential supporters."