about us

Dreaming of a brighter tomorrow

We believe every child deserves the gift of a restorative night’s sleep—no matter what challenges they’re facing. Because sleep isn’t just about rest; it’s where healing begins and healthy development unfolds. For children and families recovering from trauma, it becomes a lifeline that supports resilience, emotional recovery, and a renewed sense of hope for the future.

That’s why we’re here. With practical tools, nurturing support, and a whole lot of heart, we fill a vital gap in trauma recovery that’s too often overlooked: quality sleep.

Since 2017, we’ve transformed lives—one peaceful night at a time. From delivering Nourishing Sleep Packs to upgrading sleep environments in crisis accommodations, and providing trauma-informed workshops for carers and staff, we’re creating change where it’s needed most.

And we offer these services fully funded—because we believe sleep should be accessible to every child and family who needs it.

Meet our team

We’re a small, purpose-driven team with big hearts and a deep passion for helping children and families heal through better sleep. Each of us brings lived experience, unique skills, and heartfelt care to this work.

Our team currently operates in a volunteer capacity, offering time and energy because we believe in the mission.

Ahna de Vena, Founder & Director

Ahna is the heart and vision behind the Sleep & Dream Foundation. A sleep therapist and educator with over 20 years of experience—and with her own history of childhood trauma—she brings a unique blend of clinical insight, creative thinking, and lived empathy to her work.

She leads the Foundation by developing trauma-informed programs, coordinating pioneering research with Southern Cross University, and creating practical resources like the Sleep Kit for Kids. Working hand-in-hand with frontline organizations, she ensures the Foundation’s offerings are grounded in real-world needs, focused on long-term change, and guided by an unwavering belief in the healing power of sleep.

 

Ben Trussell, Chairman

With a grounded presence, strategic insight, and heartfelt alignment with our mission, Ben helps bridge vision with action. As we expand our board and forge new partnerships, Ben ensures that growth remains rooted in our values. His presence has already infused our work with fresh energy and possibility, and we’re deeply grateful he’s part of our journey.

 

Cory

Cory brings calm, steady clarity to the Foundation’s financial stewardship. A Chartered Accountant with more than 15 years’ experience across multiple industries, he provides detail-focused oversight of our finances and helps keep our plans practical and sustainable. We’re grateful for Cory’s care and support of our mission.

 

Barbara Brangan, Grants & Funding Consultant

Barbara supports the Foundation with grant strategy, writing, and funding submissions. As the founder of Grantful, she brings deep experience helping for-purpose organisations secure funding through grants and tenders, and she helps us translate our work into clear, fundable proposals as we grow.

 

MJ Espartero, Administration and Program Delivery

MJ provides essential administrative and program support to the Foundation. From coordinating documents and tracking key tasks to supporting communications and delivery logistics, she helps keep our work organised and flowing. MJ’s consistency and attention to detail make a real difference to our ability to serve families and frontline teams well.

 

Lisa Bartley, Sleep Care Program Delivery

Lisa brings lived experience and professional depth to our work. She supports frontline teams to integrate sleep-supportive tools into daily life and care. With 16 years as a somatic therapist and current studies in Gestalt Psychotherapy, Lisa offers grounded, trauma-aware guidance with a calm, compassionate presence.

 

Our Vision

We’re working toward a world where every child has access to the healing power of sleep—no matter their circumstances.

We believe restorative sleep is a human need, not a luxury—and that it must be recognised as a vital part of trauma recovery, education, and long-term wellbeing. Our vision is to embed sleep into the systems that shape children’s lives: from crisis care and foster homes to classrooms and family support services.

We imagine a future where refuges, schools, and support organisations across Australia (and eventually the world) are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and environments needed to make deep, nurturing sleep a reality—so that all children, especially those facing adversity, can heal, grow, and thrive.

One child. One peaceful night. One ripple of change at a time.

Let’s dream big together

This mission is bigger than us—it’s about creating ripples of change that last for generations. With your support, we can provide the tools, environments, and care needed to make sleep a reality for children and families navigating trauma.

Whether you’re a donor with a heart for change or an organization seeking support, we’d love to hear from you.

Let’s build a world where every child can sleep in safety, recover in peace, and wake up with hope.

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