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 MBA.  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 / Company Secretary of PE board

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."

Hayley Jones 

Social Media Coordinator

Hayley joined Pink Elephants in December 2023. She is a goal-oriented marketing & communications specialist, with over 6 years’ experience developing and driving strategic marketing and communications initiatives, from conception to completion.

Karina Stafford

Workplace Coordinator

Karina is a sales and marketing professional. She started her career in a 'Drug & Alcohol Education / Not for profit Organisation' before moving to pharmaceuticals where she had the privilege of working on a number of life-saving medications in cancer, leukemia and schizophrenia. Most recently, she spent 12 years in recruitment, with the aim of finding candidates their dream job. What she learnt during this time was: 

"A company's culture isn't just about perks—it's about fostering relationships, trust, and support for employees. When people feel valued and supported, they're more engaged, innovative, and likely to stick around long term. In my experience this not only benefits the employee but also enhances customer experiences and overall business performance. It's a win-win for all."

Lara Melrose

Fundraising Coordinator

Lara's passion for raising awareness and supporting pregnancy loss initiatives stems from a deeply personal experience—the loss of her first baby in 2020. This devastating event led her to seek support from Pink Elephants, where she found not only solace but also a sense of community during a profoundly difficult time. Profoundly moved by the empathy and understanding she received, Lara felt compelled to ensure that no other parents endure such pain in isolation.

Now an active member of Pink Elephants, Lara dedicates herself to fundraising and advocacy, aiming to broaden the accessibility of essential resources and support services offered by the organisation. She leads the coordination of community events and cultivates partnerships with other organisations to enhance the visibility and impact of our cause.

Through sharing her personal story and promoting open discussions about pregnancy loss, Lara is committed to creating a more inclusive society. Her goal is to foster a world where the effects of pregnancy loss are openly acknowledged, and those affected receive the recognition, support, and validation they deserve. Through her efforts, Lara strives to transform personal loss into collective empowerment, ensuring that every affected family feels supported, heard, and understood.

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."

Tahyna McManus (Tozzi)

Tahyna is a director, writer, actress but above all a mother to two little humans and three angels. She is also a Patron for the Pink Elephants.

"I began shooting a documentary on miscarriage titled Misunderstandings Of Miscarriage after my second miscarriage and came across Sam & Gabbi and everything they have been doing. Pink Elephants have been incredibly supportive and have connected me with women all over Australia. I instantly felt like I wasn’t alone in my quest to open the conversation on miscarriage. It is an honour to be asked to be a Patron and I look forward to changing the way miscarriage is viewed within our society.  Tahyna xx "

Tahyna's documentary MUM - MisUnderstandings of Miscarriage - is on Netflix. You can watch the trailer here, and visit her website for more information https://www.mumdocumentary.com

Dr Sarah Jane 

Award-winning Chiropractor and Counsellor, Dr Sarah Jane, Founder and Creator of Spinal Energetics, has touched the life of millions of people with her transformative healing modality, Spinal Energetics.

Dr Sarah has distinguished herself as one of Australia’s wellness leaders, with 15 years of educational studies behind her. Dr Sarah Jane is a Chiropractor, who has obtained further degrees in Psychology, and Philosophy,  She is a holistic Counsellor, a qualified esoteric acupuncturist and holds a Graduate Certificate in Humanistic Buddhism. In an otherwise uncharted territory of wellness and energy healers, Dr Sarah has dedicated her life to research and educational studies.

Her mission in life is to help people heal physically and emotionally, to live a life of greater alignment. She would like to use her own complex experience around pregnancy loss, IVF, and exploring adoption, to educate and support others going through this tremendously painful and isolating journey.

B.App.Sc/B.H.Sc (Chiropractic) with Distinction, B.A (Psychology/Philosophy), / RYT 200 YTT/ Cert.Meds.Hol.Couns (IMTTA)/ Grad Cert Hum Buddhism, Cert Esoteric Acupuncture, M.App.Sci