Co-founder of The Sleep Collective, Gerri has over a decade of experience in education and curriculum design and development. Working in schools, Gerri knows first-hand how essential quality and restorative sleep is for the developing brain and unfortunately how sleep deprivation can impact a child’s learning and behaviour. It is her hope that through building awareness, education and a foundation of healthy sleep habits that she can create sustained improvements in the education and health outcomes of children.  At the start of her own parenting journey, the shock of sleep deprivation hit hard, and Gerri struggled to accept that disrupted sleep was the status quo for parents. Conflicting advice from well-meaning family and health care professionals only made the sleep situation more difficult to navigate.  It was a week-long stay in a maternal health unit at a private hospital that helped to turn things around. Gerri was supported and educated on how to guide her child’s sleep and was empowered to achieve that in a way that was not only matched to her parenting style but also built her confidence as a mother. The parenting experience became so much more enjoyable once everyone was getting the rest they needed.  Through this experience, Gerri discovered a desire to use her skills in education in a whole new way. She wants to help parents learn what healthy sleep looks like and how they can promote that in their own children. Gerri has an approachable and non-judgmental nature which helps parents to feel like they can be open and honest about their worries, concerns and limitations. 

 

With a 15-year career as a Registered nurse, it is no surprise that Kate is driven by a need to help and care for others. Having a background in medicine and health, Kate co-founded The Sleep Collective with the goal of assisting families to achieve better sleep for the improvement in family harmony and the immediate and long-term health benefits of restorative sleep.  Working the last decade in Intensive Care Units in Melbourne, it was Kate’s own fragmented sleep patterns from night shift, alongside raising two daughters that kindled her passion to help infants, children and adults get more sleep.  Kate’s sleep journey began in early parenthood through reactive co-sleeping with her first born. Whilst enjoying the closeness that results from co-sleeping, her family was ready for more restorative and independent sleep and so began her education into the science of sleep. After researching best practice and seeking support, she was pleasantly surprised to learn how much a consistent, predictable routine could change their lives.   Continuing what she had learnt about infant sleep with her second child however was not smooth sailing and medical issues had to be addressed before sleep would fall into place for her second baby. Kate’s infant sleep journeys were very different and demonstrated to her how important a holistic approach is to creating a positive sleep experience. With renewed energy and empowerment, Kate wants to be that agent of change for other struggling families and to fill the gap in pre-natal education for newborn sleep.  

 

Kate’s career in supporting, caring and educating people through life’s greatest health challenges has prepared her well to work with a range of families in need. She is driven to support families with openness, empathy, tenacity and a sense of humor to achieve well-rested and thriving family units.