1. You've spent more than 20 years in the not-for-profit sector, delivering major fundraising, brand and event projects for some of Australia's leading charities. What first drew you to purpose-driven work — and what brought you to the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation?

I’ve spent the majority of my career working within the NFP sector, and throughout that time, I’ve been drawn to the challenge of connecting people to causes that change the landscape of our community. I’ve always found that the most compelling work happens at the intersection of purpose and genuine human connection.

I was drawn to the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation because of the boldness of its objective, the team and also the community. The Foundation’s commitment to scientific innovation and finding a cure for paralysis is uncompromising. I wanted to bring my experience to an organisation that is literally working to rewrite the future of spinal cord injury. The small but mighty team, lead by Perry Cross and managed by Melissa Brown, is dynamic, hardworking and we are all deeply committed to the cause. The community is welcoming, engaged and seriously inspiring.

2. The Foundation's mission is bold — finding a cure for paralysis. What does hope look like inside the Foundation day to day, and has there been a moment in your time there that made the mission feel especially real for you?

Hope at the Foundation is a tangible, measurable force. It’s not just optimism; it’s scientific progress. Day to day, it looks like a team constantly strategising how to bridge the gap between research and reality. Perry creates an ‘everything is possible’ culture, and we are incredibly mindful of the responsibility we hold. We know how much the community relies on the hope tied to this research.

That mission became profoundly real for me during the launch of the world-first human clinical trial now underway at Griffith University. Seeing the immediate, powerful reaction from the community—knowing this milestone was funded by our incredible supporters—was unforgettable. Being directly involved with research that will have a tangible, life-changing impact on people’s lives is a deeply moving experience.

3. You work with people at their most generous — donors who genuinely want to change lives. What have you learned about generosity, and what makes a giving relationship truly meaningful for both sides?

I’ve learned that there are many generous and kind people in our community. Generosity is, at its core, a form of partnership. Donors aren't just writing a cheque; they are investing their values and their legacy in a mission they believe in.

A giving relationship becomes truly meaningful when transparency and shared purpose take the lead. My goal is always to move beyond 'asking' and into 'collaborating.' When a donor feels they are an integral part of the team, seeing the direct impact of their support on research milestones, it ceases to be a donation and becomes a shared journey toward a goal we are both fighting to achieve. It is a profound privilege to do this work alongside Perry Cross, a man whose decency and vision inspire everyone around him.

4. As a Gold Coast local and mum to twin teenaged girls, Lyla and Chloe, you're balancing deeply demanding work with family life. What does balance actually look like for you — and what do you hope your girls take from watching you do this work?

I’m lucky to be part of an organisation that genuinely values hard work, lifestyle, and family. It is a truly flexible environment that allows me to embrace all my roles, especially being a mother.

Ultimately, I hope Lyla and Chloe see that you can be deeply present for your family while also being a driving force in a professional field that makes a difference. I want them to learn that when you choose a career aligned with your values, it stops being 'work' in the traditional sense—it becomes a contribution.

5. If readers walked away understanding one thing about living with paralysis — or about supporting the search for a cure — what would you want it to be?

I want readers to understand that a spinal cord injury doesn't just happen to one person—it impacts an entire circle of family, friends, and community. When you support this research, you aren't just funding important, world-first science; you are actively rewriting the future for real people and the people who love them.

This research is about restoring a person's independence, choice, and daily freedom. By supporting this search for a cure, you are directly ensuring that for someone living with paralysis, tomorrow might look radically different, brighter, and more hopeful than today.

Jen, Perry and Mel

Quick Questions

1. Your go-to outfit when you need to feel unstoppable?

A tailored dress paired with a kitten heel — it’s an instant confidence boost.

2. Coffee order — and is it different on twin-mum mornings?

I actually don’t drink coffee, but I love a good hot chocolate. As for twin-mum mornings, my teenage daughters handle their own routines now. I’m a big believer in fostering independence.

3. A small luxury you'll never give up?

I am up before 5:30 AM six days a week to hit the gym, so my absolute favourite luxury is an uninterrupted sleep-in on a Sunday.

4. Something your daughters have taught you?

They have taught me to slow down, be completely present, and stop trying to live too far ahead in the future.

5. Finish this sentence: "Women in their prime ..."

...know their value, are clear in their purpose, and completely unstoppable when they support other women.