Bridge It’s Crew
“Bridge It is doing things differently: the team is passionate and tenacious, and we believe in them and their cause.”
– IGNITING CHANGE
We’re a diverse crew blending expertise, qualifications, lived experience and neurodiversity. Because of this, we have pioneering programming and ways of working.
The young people we support are part of the team, too; we co-design programs based on regular feedback. They are the experts and they know what they need.
Introducing
Carla Raynes
Carla’s our founder and CEO (AKA Head of Caring & Eternal Optimism). She’s worked in the homelessness field for nearly 2 decades. Her experience spans crisis accommodation, drug and alcohol teams, tertiary hospitals and youth residential units.
She’s a trailblazer in trialling creative approaches to homelessness to make the solution lasting. As well as leading Bridge It, she launched a social enterprise speaker agency, Challenge The Label with 50% of profits going to Bridge It.
She’s a mother to Billie and Ted and a furbaby mama to Layla. She’s a fierce change warrior, lover of gingerbread and getting sand between her toes.
Jenna Wilson
Jenna’s our Intake and Partnerships Coordinator. She’s worked in the disability and homelessness field for 15+ years and has a strong passion for mental health and recovery-focused practices.
Before Bridge It, she worked in mental health rehabilitation and inpatient mental health wards.
When not Bridging it, Jenna enjoys being in nature with her husband, Jake, baby Maia and their dog, Luna. Or she’s immersed in alternative therapies. Wherever she is, there’s a mug of tea in her hand.
Kate Mackenzie
Kate’s our Team Leader. Since 2017, she’s worked in the homelessness sector as a social worker. She’s developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.
Kate’s a ‘northsider’, living in Melbourne’s inner north with her partner. She studied and loves art history, and in her spare time enjoys making music, spending time with friends, reading, and drawing. She’s a zen master!
Sage Leslie
Sage is our Housing and Wellbeing Coordinator. Before this, she worked as a specialist family violence advocate. She approaches her work with an intersectional feminist lens, collaborating with the people she supports to make them the centre of decision-making.
Outside work, Sage enjoys exploring parts of Victoria (whether camping or a lovely little AirBnB), hanging out with her beloved Cat (Theodora – ‘Dora’), reading, listening to spooky podcasts or watching D-Grade horror films.
Sam Jones
Sam’s our Peer Mentor. She has a lived experience of mental ill-health, which is vital in her role. Before becoming unwell, she worked in business development. Her passion is supporting others through similar challenges.
She likes hanging out with friends and loves art and music. Before the pandemic, Sam loved travelling and new adventures. Now, you’ll see her out and about Bayside, enjoying the freedom to explore.