Our Team

Dr Susie O’Neill OAM

KIDS Foundation Founder and CEO

Susie is a Doctor of Philosophy of Education, qualified preschool and primary teacher who specialises in working with children at risk. Her interest in empowering children to protect themselves began in 1988 whilst studying teaching at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education and working alongside the Children’s Protection Society. Susie has dedicated her studies and career to children at risk, focusing on educating them to prevent and recover from injuries and trauma. In 1993 Susie founded the KIDS Foundation and now has a position as the CEO and is a member of the Board.

Erynne Trotter

Recovery Manager and Camp Psychologist

Erynne was a longtime supporter of the KIDS Foundation before taking on the Injury Recovery Coordinator role in May 2018. Volunteering at her first KIDS camp back in 2012, Erynne was not only inspired by the amazing people she met but became immediately 'hooked', finding the experience truly rewarding and life changing. 

As a registered psychologist, Erynne understands the importance of educating and empowering others to be the best version of themselves and is particularly passionate about supporting and empowering young people.

Nicholas Van Der Molen

Education Manager

Nicholas has over 25 years’ experience teaching. Joining KIDS in 2017, he upholds the motto of #Buildingstronglives and has represented the KIDS Foundation at the Noosa Triathlon in 2017, and like others in the KIDS family, was inspired to complete the Port Macquarie Ironman in 2019. 

Nicholas brings his teaching expertise and technological knowledge to the KIDS team. Within his role he oversees the distribution of the SeeMore safety and CARM Start education programs which is in early childhood education centres (ECEC) across Australia. You may see him in an ECEC delivering the program or out early in the morning training for his next event. When not at KIDS, Nicholas can be found teaching in a classroom or hanging out with his wife and 4 kids (2 of which have 4 legs!)

Jen Barker

Injury Prevention Educator

Jen is a qualified Early Childhood teacher and is passionate about supporting, inspiring and mentoring other educators. She places a lot of emphasis on empowering, educating and enabling children (and educators) to be confident and authentic to themselves. Her background is in Early Childhood Education, in a variety of different settings, with her primary focus being on providing an inclusive and supportive environment to children, families and educators alike.

Jen is a big believer in building and strengthening the link between Early learning environments, and home, to allow for a collaborative approach to children’s learning and overall wellbeing.

Lauren Grace

Graphic and Web Design

Lauren took on the role of Graphic Designer with KIDS in June, 2022. 

She attends Swinburne University, where she studies a Bachelor of Design, majoring in Communication Design.  Lauren enjoys a challenge and has been working on a number of KIDS key assets like annual reports, flyers, brochures, email signatures and other design elements seen within the KIDS world. She has also been working on updating the website.

Lauren has moved to Ballarat after growing up in a rural town in the middle of the Mallee. She feels beyond grateful to have been given the opportunity to work with KIDS and is excited to see what the future brings!

Jo Brodie

Injury Prevention Educator (QLD)

Jo has recently joined KIDS Foundation as an educator. 

Jo is primary school teacher trained and has worked mostly with junior school children. 

She has spent many years volunteering on various committees in the community and schools while raising 3, now adult, children.

Based on the Sunshine Coast, she is looking forward to introducing SeeMore to the children at kindy’s in the south east corner of Queensland. 

Annie Edgar

Administration

I am very lucky and excited to be working with KIDS Foundation.  The work that Susie O'Neill and her team does is nothing short of amazing.

I work on a casual basis as I wish to spend more time with my children and more importantly my grandchildren.

My husband, Michael and I have three children and four gorgeous grandchildren.  Thanks to Susie I have the flexibility to spend more time with them.

Coming from Real Estate, running a property management team for over 20 years full time, KIDS Foundation offers a diverse working environment and it is wonderful working for a charity that is all about the safety and care of kids.

Melanie Mullen

Communications and Media Manager

Melanie is dedicated to raising awareness around the vital and inspiring work of the KIDS Foundation, led by their Founder & CEO Susie O'Neill. 

Her passion lies in connecting with people and telling stories through moving images.

As both a contractor for the KIDS Foundation and the owner of Mel M Productions, she has worked on a wide range of visual mediums.

Since moving from the small country town of Beulah in 1991, Melanie has built a diverse media and communications career starting off at Axis Films, with her work taking her to incredible locations like India and Singapore.

She has collaborated with talented producers and directors like Peter Dickson of Dickson Films, creating award-winning documentaries for many years, while also freelancing on high-profile corporate videos, producing VNR's, awards shows, commercials,  branded content, product launches, and involved in major events such as for Formula 1 and MotoGP. 

Mel feels truly blessed to love what she does and to have met so many inspiring people along the way.

Naomi Maynard

Equine Manager

Naomi became aware of KIDS Foundation after her twin boys were involved in the Exford Primary School Bus Crash. The family was invited by KIDS Foundation to an injury recovery camp a couple of months after the accident. It was still very raw for the whole family, but the KIDS Foundation set a scene of calmness, support and a safe space for all. This helped the whole family walk away from that camp feeling like they had jumped ahead six months in their recovery. It was there that Susie, Founder and CEO of KIDS Foundation realised Naomi's connection with horses. 

Naomi had grown up in Mildura around horses and has always had a genuine passion for their health and wellbeing. Naomi's studied at National College of Traditional Medicine, also has a degree in Tucker Biokinetics, whilst completing many other modalities. She is an Equine Myo Therapist who is recognised by the FEI as a Permitted Equine Therapist. Namalie Natural Equine Therapies is her business, Naomi specialises in performance horses and teams attending many large competitions including Paris Olympics. 

Naomi has joined the KIDS Foundation team as the Equine manager being responsible for their miniature ponies. She takes great pride in presenting these ponies to their full potential also preparing them for all environments to keep everyone safe, calm and relaxed. 

Naomi feels extremely grateful for her connection with KIDS Foundation and is very proud to be a part of such a wonderful team with such a beautiful purpose.