Together we share a passion to make a difference

Dr Susie O’Neill

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 the 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.

Janine Buesnel

Chief Operating Officer

Janine joined the KIDS team in August 2017. With an extensive background in regional media she also brings her community service and partnership experience to KIDS. Her husband, Craig, was a rider in the inaugural KIDS Charity Ride – Port to Port back in 2011, and through her involvement in the Local Organising Committee of the Australian Ironman she has been inspired by KIDS founder Susie O’Neill’s tenacity to strive every day and support the KIDS mission to ‘keep children safe and create a better life for those living with serious injury and burns.’

Janine works closely with our corporate, government and community partners to make sure KIDS are delivering on commitments and importantly ensuring that partnerships are mutually rewarding for everyone.

Carlee Grant

Events and Communications Manager

Carlee worked for the KIDS Foundation over a decade ago in an events role and has returned to support the organisation fundraising events and campaigns. With a marketing and communications background, Carlee brings a diverse skill set to KIDS to help them raise funds and awareness of the work they do. 

Based in regional Victoria, Carlee is a mum to two young girls and enjoys keeping somewhat fit and active. She supports a number of businesses with marketing, communication and events requirements as a management consultant. Having worked with Susie back when Matt Thiele attended his first Charity Ball, Carlee knows the impact the organisation has and was excited to be part of this inspiring organisation.

Erynne Trotter

Injury Recovery Coordinator 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

Injury Prevention Educator

Nicholas has 15 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 has been inspired to complete an Ironman. Nicholas brings his teaching expertise and technological knowledge to the KIDS team. Within his role he oversees the distribution of the SeeMore safety education program which is in early childhood education centres across Australia as well as aspects of the Virtual Classroom. You may see him out in a local early childhood education centres delivering the program or 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 kids.

Michelle McCahon

Injury Prevention Educator

Michelle was a member of the KIDS Foundation team from 2009-2011 and then took a break to return to the classroom in a teaching capacity. She returned to KIDS in 2017 with a stronger understanding of the benefits that are gained from having the SeeMore Safety program within early childhood education centres across Australia, having seen it first-hand. Her time back in the classroom has also allowed her to understand the program from a teacher’s perspective and understand what aspects of the program are most valuable and user friendly within a classroom setting. Michelle loves being with children and enjoys visits into early childhood education centres to share the SeeMore Safety program and help educate the teachers on how to best deliver the program for maximum benefit and development of safety risk intelligence for the children involved. When not at KIDS Foundation, Michelle is a qualified primary and early education teacher who also works in a local early childhood education centre.

Beau Jones

Injury Prevention Educator (NSW)

Beau Jones is an Early Childhood Educator with over 11 years experience working with children from 6 months to 6 years old. Beau has a passion for connecting not only the community but the children he teaches into a positive way of interacting and finding the most out of each day. 

Joining the KIDS Foundation in 2019 for the Noosa Triathlon, as a 'Doing it 4 KIDS' fundraiser team member, allowed Beau to not only learn about the great charity, but also implement the program into his own classroom with great success. The highlight being the 20 kilometres he rode on a children’s trike to help raise money and awareness for the Foundation along Australia’s busiest beach, Bondi.

Teneille O'Connor

Design Coordinator

Teneille joined the KIDS Foundation in 2005 to establish the ‘Retirees for KIDS’ Program. After studying Graphic Design she now works as our Design Coordinator and works closely with CEO Susie O'Neill to ensure the KIDS Foundation brand is consistent and strong.

Teneille has travelled all across Australia to be part of many KIDS Foundation events including Ride to Port fundraisers, Ironman Australia events, gala balls and many Burn Survivor camps. With so many fond memories of her time at the KIDS Foundation, a particular favourite was when she was a part of the KIDS team who travelled to Vietnam and rode push-bikes to Cambodia visiting burns units and raising much needed funds and awareness for the KIDS Foundation.

Now based on the Sunshine Coast with her young family, she believes many of the inspirational KIDS members she has met along the way have shaped the person and mum she is today.