Our Team

Dr Robyn Sampson

CEO

Dr Robyn Sampson, CEO of Baptist Care Australia since January 2024, has a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to building societies that value all of its members equally. Before stepping into the CEO role, Dr Sampson was our Policy and Advocacy Advisor for two years. 

Today, she leads Baptist Care Australia with a vision rooted in her extensive experience and profound commitment to the inherent dignity and equality of all people. Growing up in a multicultural Baptist church, Dr Sampson's passion for social justice led her to focus on issues faced by those forced to migrate due to war and violent conflict. 

Dr Sampson's impact extends beyond borders, making her a valuable leader in our mission to build stronger and more equitable communities. For nearly a decade, Dr Sampson conducted research as an academic, collaborating with community organisations on the health and wellbeing of refugees and migrants in Australia. Her academic journey culminated in a PhD in Politics, where she developed a keen interest in how expert knowledge shapes policy-making processes. 

Eager to apply her knowledge in the real world, Dr Sampson transitioned from academia to full-time advocacy. She joined the secretariat of an international NGO network dedicated to protecting the rights and dignity of migrants. Her contributions resulted in positive policy changes in over 40 countries and key commitments by UN Member States as part of the Global Compact on Migration. 

Before joining Baptist Care Australia, Robyn spent two years as a private consultant, providing research services, program planning, and strategy advice to UN agencies and international humanitarian organisations. Despite her global endeavours, Robyn remains an active member of her local Baptist congregation in Melbourne.

Vanessa Mason

National Member Support Coordinator

Vanessa brings a wealth of experience in relationship management and strategic collaboration to her role at Baptist Care Australia. With a background that bridges psychology and business, she fosters our National member relationships and facilitates knowledge sharing between networks to optimize operational efficiencies. Her expertise in developing external relationships with industry experts, sponsors, and peak bodies enables Baptist Care Australia to create valuable resources and opportunities for our members. Vanessa coordinates and supports our Collaboration Groups, ensuring effective communication and strategic guidance across all stakeholders.

Vanessa's approach combines analytical thinking with a deep understanding of human behavior, allowing her to address complex challenges with thoughtful, collaborative strategies. Currently undertaking her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Vanessa complements her practical experience with ongoing academic insights. Her previous roles in association management and project coordination have equipped her with exceptional organisational skills and a talent for building meaningful professional connections.

Based in Ocean Grove, Vanessa works remotely while traveling regularly to meet with members and partners across Australia.

Sharon Neal

Executive Assistant

With extensive experience providing Executive and Board support in both the Not for Profit and Corporate sectors, Sharon comes to Baptist Care Australia as a highly skilled and professional Executive Assistant who is people focused and solutions driven.  Sharon brings her passion for organisation and efficiency to Baptist Care Australia and is committed to enhancing productivity and improving business operations while at the same time knowing that she is contributing to the organisation’s vision of building communities where every voice is heard.

Sharon’s role affords her the opportunity to interact with member organisations across the country, including coordinating the activities of the BCA Board, as well as a managing relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.  She loves to work collaboratively on projects with the BCA Team while utilising her strategic planning and relationship building skills to help deliver on our goals.

Charles Dane

Head of Policy & Advocacy

Charlie brings a wealth of experience across government, international relations and strategic comms. Most recently, Charlie was the Government Relations & Policy Advisor at the Governance Institute of Australia. Before that, Charlie was a member of Senator Katy Gallagher's staff, where he developed an intimate knowledge of the Parliamentary Committee process and the strategic use of Senate inquiries.

He holds two Masters degrees, including one in National Security Policy (Advanced) from ANU, and an MA (Hons) in International Relations from the University of Edinburgh. A driving force in his work is a commitment to using policy to strengthen Australia’s social safety net. Outside of work, you’ll find Charlie playing or refereeing water polo and cheering on the Melbourne Demons (even when it hurts).

Alesandra Hernandez

Communications Officer