Our People

Sami Glastonbury is a passionate advocate, business leader, and mentor dedicated to making a difference in both our HeartKids corporate and community settings. As a mum of two HeartKids, she has been deeply involved in the congenital heart disease community, serving as a State and National Non-Executive Director for HeartKids from 2015 to 2020.

Sami has sat as a consumer representative with the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide and on surgical committees with SA Health since 2018. She is also the co-host of our podcast ‘From the Heart’, providing a platform for meaningful conversations about CoHD.

With over 15 years of experience in national strategic roles, Sami has built a strong reputation as a business leader and mentor, guiding individuals and organisations toward growth and success.

Jess is a passionate nurse, public health professional and advocate who is dedicated to ensuring all people impacted by CoHD have equitable access to the best possible care and support.

As COO, Jess is responsible for leading HeartKids services, programs, and advocacy initiatives nationwide. She works closely with the executive team and board to strengthen organisational capability, drive sustainable growth, and ensure that families affected by CoHD receive the support they need at every stage of their journey.

Jess brings fifteen years of experience in organisational leadership, strategy, and service delivery for people impacted by complex health conditions. Her focus is on strengthening the organisation’s reach, sustainability, and capacity to support children, teens, and adults living with CoHD, as well as their families and carers.

Jess is based in Melbourne and is when she isn’t at HeartKids spends her time volunteering in animal rescue and seeing live music.

Rachael is an experienced and values-driven leader with a strong background in governance, operations, and strategy.

With over a decade at HeartKids, Rachael has helped guide the organisation through significant growth and national alignment. She leads key operational functions, including policy development, digital transformation, and internal systems improvement, always with a focus on people, purpose, and practical outcomes.

Rachael has a collaborative and inclusive approach, working across teams to help translate strategic goals into practical, achievable outcomes. She focuses on building clear processes and supportive systems that make it easier for others to do their best work.

Rachael is a people-focused leader and is motivated by creating positive, lasting impact through thoughtful operational design.