Our People

Light on paid staff but heavy on volunteer commitment and resources, we strive to find the right balance to maximise the support to families and their precious babies.

As we’re all about people (helping and supporting people), we felt it was the right thing to give you an insight into the team – read the details provided by the people themselves.

In addition to the below, you can read about the great work some of our great volunteers do on this page.

Rachel Friend

CEO

Rachel has been a part of The Little Miracles Trust team since 2016.  During this time she has been dedicated to making a difficult start in life that little bit easier for the families of NICU babies. Rachel and her team work collaboratively with all the NICUs and SCBUs throughout New Zealand.

Her passion for NICU, the families and their babies has been born out of her own first-hand experience of being a NICU Mum to Reuben who was born at 24 weeks gestation weighing 665g in 2013. Having experienced four months in NICU herself, Rachel is well placed to empathise with the families who find themselves on the unexpected rollercoaster ride that is NICU.

As part of her role at the Trust, Rachel advocates for NICU families on a number of panels as a consumer representative and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about prematurity and the support needed for families in NICU and SCBU.

Outside of the Trust, Rachel is married to Phil, Mum to Reuben and Step-Mum to Marlow and Henley which makes for a busy household. So when she’s not at work or chasing around after her boys and their pets, Rachel likes to exercise when she gets the opportunity as well as indulge her love of coffee, books and red wine!

Justine Brooker

Operations Manager & Family Support Coordinator Wellington

Justine is a born and bred Wellingtonian and mother of four boisterous boys.  The Neonatal Unit became like family to Justine with all of her sons being born early.   This has fed Justine’s motivation to help others in similar situations.   Her passion for The Little Miracles Trust truly developed after the early arrival of her youngest son Harlow, who was born at 24 weeks. Being able to support families during what can often be a daunting and stressful time is why Justine is now devoted to raising awareness for The Trust and supporting neonatal families.
In her spare time when she isn’t busy with her family, you can usually find her exercising at boot camp, out for a walk or enjoying a coffee or wine with friends.

Prior to joining The Little Miracles Trust, Justine shared the story of son Harlows arrival as part of the 2014 World Prematurity Day awareness activity. You can read the article here.

Samantha Bennett

Fundraising Coordinator (Part-time)

Sam is mum to 15 year old Oliver and 12 year old Ava, who was born at 34 weeks weighing 2100g and spent just over 2 weeks in the Wellington NICU. Being able to use her marketing and fundraising experience to help families going through the rollercoaster of a neonatal journey was the key reason Sam joined The Little Miracles Trust team.

Previously Sam has worked in a variety of marketing and research roles, predominately for banks and financial institutions.  In her spare time Sam is a bit of a gym bunny and enjoys spending time with family, especially supporting her kids in the activities they love – cricket, netball, football and dance!

Diane Pope

Family Support Office Manager Auckland (Part-time)

I first became familiar with the work of the Little Miracles Trust when I was working for Heart Kids.  I would visit the NICU unit daily as I supported those families whose babies were diagnosed with a congenital heart condition. I hoped eventually I would be able to work for the Trust as I could see what amazing work they were doing and wanted to be a part of it.

I worked closely with the medical and nursing and support teams during that time and was looking forward to stepping in to this role to be able to do this again.

So for me it was true, “dreams really do come true.”

Lisa Mackenzie

Family Support Coordinator Auckland (Part-time)

Hi, I’m Lisa and I’m so delighted to be joining the Little Miracles Trust team. 

My daughter Millie was born 26+3 weeks and spent 98 days in Auckland Hospital’s NICU. 

Getting thrown into motherhood so early is a huge shock and it was 6 days before Millie’s dad and I were able to hold her for the first time.

However, we soon got into the NICU routine of daily ward rounds and the intense medical terminology. The hardest thing was not being able to take my little girl home each night. 

Millie is now doing really well and has started her first year of school.

I am an advertising account manager and will be helping the LMT whenever I can. 

I’m looking forward to being part of the team and returning some of the support I received during my time with Millie in NICU.

Jadey Drury

Service Delivery Manager Waikato (Part-time)

Jadey is a mum of two, 7 year old Frankie who was born at 28 weeks and spent 76 days in Wellington NICU and 7 days in Whanganui SCBU and 5 year old Ivy who is the sass queen of the family.

Jadey received so much support from The Little Miracles Trust when she was a long way from home after having Frankie. It was here that her want to help others started. She has so much passion to support families in the unit during their journeys and afterwards.

Jadey is originally from the UK and has lived in NZ for 8 years, her and her husband spent the first few years exploring all NZ has to offer, it was at this point they decided this was where they wanted to raise a family.

When she isn’t working with The Little Miracles Trust or running around after her little ones she is either styling hair, events and weddings or snapping pictures.

Jemma Hartley

Family Support Coordinator – Christchurch