Our Team

The Lionheart Team

Meet our team of amazing staff, facilitators and volunteers.

They play a pivotal role, providing support and care to children and their loved ones as they navigate through the grieving process. They share a deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families, bringing a wide range of skills and expertise and working together as a team to ensure that every child receives the best possible care and support.

They are the heart and soul of our organisation, and we could not do the work we do without them.

CEO & Founder

Shelly is the Founder and CEO of Lionheart Camp for Kids. As a Social Worker whose own mother died when she was a young adult, Shelly is committed to building a community where grief is seen as a healthy and normal response to death and life challenges. A world where everyone is taught the skills to identify grief and grieve in a healthy and safe way.

Shelly has a passion for supporting and educating families, educators, health professionals and the community. Empowering people to explore and discuss their life goals; communicate their end of life wishes with family and health professionals and to identify and attend to their needs in grief and bereavement.

Since graduating from The University of Western Australia in 2001 with a Bachelor of Social Work, Shelly has contributed to the field of social work in health in the fields of Oncology, Palliative Care, Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Injury and Emergency Medicine within Western Australia and the United Kingdom.

Shelly is the mother of three daughters, a published children’s book author and researcher. She was the recipient of the John Curtin Medal in 2020 and was awarded a Westfield Local Hero award in 2021 for her commitment to improving outcomes for grieving children, teens and families.

Operations Manager

Laura is a qualified Social Worker with experience in public schools and education teams. Over the years, she has supported many grieving families and witnessed the profound impact that grief can have on children and their families in every part of their lives.

She is passionate about ensuring children and young people are equipped with practical skills and tools they can use in their daily lives. Laura especially loves seeing the positive difference the Lionheart magic brings when families connect with others who are also grieving.

Alongside facilitating camps, programs and professional development sessions, Laura enjoys being part of a compassionate team and contributes to Lionheart behind the scenes through her work in operations.

Watch this space!

Admin Support Officer

Josephine is the Administration Support Officer for Raw to Roar: Lionheart’s Grief Pathway. She has a Certificate IV in Business Administration and has pursued studies in Human Resources with a background in Recruitment.

After being a stay-at-home mum for 10 years, Josephine saw the opportunity to join Lionhearts Raw to Roar program and knew this was the role for her. After witnessing the impact grief can have on children and families she felt a deep connection to Lionheart.

Josephine is proud to work at Lionheart, she loves being part of a compassionate team that goes above and beyond to support grieving children and their families.

Office Manager

Yvonne is the Office Manager at Lionheart Camp for Kids, where she oversees the day-to-day running of the office, supporting the team to work effectively and collaboratively. With a strong passion for organisation and people, Yvonne takes pride in supporting her colleagues and coordinating programs and events that strengthen the organisation and benefit the community Lionheart serves.

Yvonne brings almost sixteen years of administrative experience, including around ten years with Canteen Australia, where she developed a strong foundation in the not-for-profit sector. She joined Lionheart Camp for Kids in 2020 and continues to find deep fulfilment in her work, particularly in roles that support children, young people, and families. The not-for-profit space is where her passion lies, allowing her to contribute meaningfully and make a positive difference.

Yvonne is grateful to work alongside Shelly and the wider Lionheart team as they respond to the growing need to support children and families experiencing grief following the death of a loved one. She feels privileged to be part of an organisation committed to care, connection, and strong values.

Outside of work, Yvonne is a wife and mother to two daughters. As the daughter of Mexican-American parents, she brings a rich and diverse perspective to both her personal life and her role at Lionheart.

Grief Coach

Emma is a dedicated social worker with a background in mental health, hospital social work and supporting adults and children that have experienced trauma.

Her passion lies in empowering individuals by providing the tools to help navigate their grief and build capacity, while normalising the grief experience. Emma is committed to offering compassionate support, promoting the benefits of peer support, helping families build resilience and find hope in challenging times. She values being part of a passionate, collaborative team and is proud to work with and belong to the Lionheart community.

Grief Coach

Zoe is a Grief Coach on the Lionheart Raw to Roar Grief Pathway, bringing a compassionate, person-centered approach to helping families navigate their grief. Graduating from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2008, Zoe deepened her expertise by completing a Graduate Certificate in Counselling through Edith Cowan University in 2021.

With over 15 years of experience in the health sector, Zoe has worked in many clinical areas including Palliative Care and Oncology, steering her career in the direction of the end of life arena. Her practice is rooted in a strengths-based approach, where she integrates her professional skills and lived experience.

In 2024, Zoe joined the Lionheart Camp for Kids team, where she supports families during their most challenging moments, using clinical knowledge and profound empathy. She feels privileged to walk alongside families as they share their stories of loss, and is honoured to help them find a path through their grief.
Zoe is deeply committed to supporting individuals and families as they process their grief and move forward with strength and resilience.

Volunteer Coordinator

With 20 years of experience supporting vulnerable children, families, and more recently teenagers with complex needs, Brooke brings a deep commitment to nurturing resilience and compassion in those navigating grief and loss. Brooke treasures the privilege of walking alongside families during some of their most vulnerable moments. Their courage and openness in sharing their stories never cease to move her, and she remains in awe of the transformation that occurs during camps.

In her role as Volunteer Coordinator, Brooke is equally inspired by the incredible team that stands behind each camp. Watching the volunteer base grow is something she genuinely cherishes. Each new volunteer brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives that enrich the camps and beautifully complement the needs of the families that come along.

As a Group Facilitator, Brooke loves seeing the transformation that unfolds over the weekend camps. It’s incredibly moving to watch families connect, open up, and support one another—while also finding moments of joy, laughter, and fun along the way. That sense of community and mutual understanding is something truly special.

It’s incredibly fulfilling to work with such a passionate and skilled team, united by a shared mission to create a safe, supportive space for healing. Each camp reminds Brooke of the powerful impact this work has—not only on the families we serve but on all of us who have the honour of witnessing their journeys.

Grief Coach

As a qualified Social Worker who has worked in healthcare for more than 24 years, Donnelle joins the Grief Pathway team as a Greif Coach. With extensive experience in palliative care, critical care and emergency medicine, she has supported families through crisis, trauma, grief and bereavement.

Her commitment to grief support is deeply personal. Donnelle experienced the death of three close family members before the age of 21, including her grandmother, who was taken from Yamatji Country as an infant and is acknowledged as part of the Stolen Generation. These experiences shaped her lifelong dedication to helping others navigate loss with compassion and understanding.

Donnelle is passionate about wellbeing, and about acknowledging and normalising healthy grief responses for adults experiencing life-limiting illness, intergenerational loss or the death of a loved one. She believes strongly in the regenerative and healing impact this understanding can have for the next generation of children and young people.

SAY HELLO TO OUR PROGRAM FACILITATORS AND VOLUNTEERS!

Lionheart’s facilitators, along with over 60 compassionate and super-fun volunteers, make the Lionheart experience what it is. Our team pour their knowledge, energy and care into each and every program, ensuring that every participant feels welcomed and is provided with an opportunity to learn new skills and make some new friends. We could not do it without them!

If you’re interested in joining our fabulous team, please feel free to get in touch at any time; we’d love to hear from you!

JOIN OUR TEAM