“My role is about making sure the voices and needs of parents are heard where it matters most—by the people who shape policy, funding, and access to care.” 

With over nine years of experience scaling start-ups, leading healthcare operations, and delivering innovative social impact solutions, Zoë brings deep expertise in health policy, communications, and stakeholder engagement. Her career has spanned clinical telehealth, hospital innovation, primary care, aged care, and digital health—experiences that have shaped her entrepreneurial approach to advocacy. 

At Gidget Foundation Australia, Zoë supports the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to develop, coordinate, and implement high-impact advocacy and public policy initiatives that align with the organisation’s strategic pillars. A vital part of her work involves collaborating with peak bodies such as the RACGP, RANZCP, and Australian Psychological Society to build unified positions and unlock shared advocacy power. 

“These relationships are crucial—not just for amplifying our voice, but for shaping national conversations on MBS reform, workforce development, and equitable access to care.”

The Biggest Barriers New Parents Face 

According to Zoë, many of the barriers that prevent new parents from accessing support are systemic and compounding. 

“There’s still so much stigma—many parents worry that struggling makes them unfit. But it’s also about cost, long waitlists, limited culturally safe services, and massive gaps in regional access.” 

Even recognising the signs of perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) can be a challenge, particularly when clear referral pathways or consistent screening don’t exist. 

“Our advocacy is focused on dismantling those barriers so seeking help becomes a supported, normalised, and empowered choice.”

How Policy Work Drives Real-World Impact 

Zoë’s work is all about building the funding and policy environment that enables Gidget Foundation Australia to reach more families. This includes securing government investment, shaping national mental health strategy, and partnering with peak bodies to push for evidence-based reforms. 

She is especially proud of the Gidget Changemakers initiative—a growing network of parents with lived experience who are trained to advocate and engage directly with policymakers. 

“These incredible volunteers are going to be visiting MPs in their electorates to share how access to timely perinatal mental health care changed their lives. It’s these stories that help bridge the gap between policy and reality. This is how MPs get to see the efforts and funding they’ve advocated for come to life—and more often than not, it resonates with them on a deeply personal level. You’d be surprised how many have either experienced perinatal depression or anxiety themselves or know someone who has.” 

Impact in Action: A Moment That Mattered  

One of Zoë’s proudest moments was when the Federal Labor Government announced significant funding for Gidget Foundation ahead of the last election.

“That wasn’t just a funding win. It was validation of our approach—collaborative, strategic, and grounded in lived experience. And it opened the door to expanding our services into communities where PNDA remains under-recognised and under-treated.”

She’s now working closely with the Programs team to support the delivery of new Gidget House locations—each one a vital hub for care, especially in rural and remote regions where support has historically been out of reach.

Spotlight: Supporting Berry Spring

Currently, Zoë is focused on establishing face-to-face perinatal mental health services in Berry Springs, Northern Territory—a growing community with many young families, including a significant number of First Nations parents.

Gidget Foundation Australia has successfully recruited a highly experienced local mental health nurse, someone trusted and passionate about supporting their community. However, because they are not MBS-eligible, the organisation cannot access Medicare funding to cover their services.

“We’ve found the right clinician. But without MBS funding, we’re relying entirely on alternative funding and donations to cover their salary. This has become increasingly important to us as an organisation to improve access to inclusive, culturally safe and respectful perinatal mental health care services – especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents who are facing unique challenges in rural and remote areas.”

Importantly, this clinician will also deliver telehealth support to regional communities via Gidget’s Start Talking program, in addition to being physically on the ground in Berry Springs—broadening access and impact for those who can’t attend in person.

Zoë is working with both internal and external stakeholders to secure alternative funding pathways, but the gap remains—and donor support is urgently needed.

“This is the kind of support that makes an immediate and generational impact. It ensures families don’t wait, and trust—once built—isn’t lost. It’s real, direct, and deeply meaningful.”

What Donors Should Know   

Zoë wants donors to know just how far their impact stretches.

“A single donation might support a counselling session today—but it also strengthens the system that holds families together tomorrow. Imagine being able to work through your mental health issues with a trusted clinician, without worrying whether you can afford it.”

“That kind of early intervention doesn’t just support a parent in crisis—it strengthens the bond with their baby and sets up an entire family for a healthier start. That’s the power of early perinatal care.”

For Zoë, this work is more than a job. It’s a personal mission grounded in values of health equity, innovation, and compassionate care. 

“Every conversation, every policy shift, every service we open—it’s all part of building a system where no parent is left to struggle alone. That’s what drives me. Change takes time. But with persistence, strategy, and heart, we can create a future where every family gets the support they deserve—from Berry Springs to Sydney CBD.”