Meet our Passionate Team

Kylie Lowe, Founder and Director

When I joined – I founded Joining Hands in January 2012, after seeing the impact of free monthly health clinics and sessions I delivered to homeless young women and their children in 2011.

Why I joined – Young people are our future. Some, unfortunately, do not get the head start in life they deserve. As a community, it is our role to back them and believe in them so they can back and believe in themselves to create the life they want.

With my 20-year background in the youth sector and psychology, and as a Bowen therapist, Reiki practitioner and Homoeopath, I believe everybody has the right to live a life of wellbeing in body, mind and spirit, and filled with health, joy, wealth and purpose.

I’m also kept grounded and earthed as a solo mumma to two resilient, aware, kind, funny, smart and beautiful girls; Jolie and Eva. They are a big part of my inspiration to support at-risk and vulnerable young people to reach their full potential.

My skills – Leading a thriving social enterprise, solving social issues and creating a social impact through business. I love to share my story and vision on stage, and regularly speak in front of large and small audiences. I also bring my extensive knowledge, experience and background to our GiveBack program.

What lights me up – The ocean is my favourite place to be in the world. To surf or be immersed in the ocean’s mighty power is to feel free… nothing else matters and everything dissolves.

I love long beach walks, all things barefoot, and having space time to potter and ponder social justice, access and equity. Nia dance is also my soul medicine and has been one of my greatest healers.

And of course, giving back to homeless young people in a hands-on way lights me up and brings me immense joy – it also keeps me incredibly humbled and reminded constantly of our why.

Kate Kimber, Massage Therapist and Passionate Ambassador

When I joined – In August 2015.

Why I joined – I joined because I witnessed the difference that positive touch and human connection made to young people in need. I was massaging for Joining Hands, then quickly decided to become an Ambassador through my business, Bella Bliss Massage. I knew my monthly contribution could really make a difference.

My skills – Remedial, Relaxation and Pregnancy Massage Therapist.

What lights me up – Gardening, positive people, massage, being creative, Nia dancing, the beach and rainforest walks.

Kate Cleto, Building Ambassador Relationships

When I joined – July 2018.

Why I joined – I met Kylie when she facilitated an empowerment course I participated in…Kylie saw something in me, and gave me the opportunity to join the Joining Hands team. I was honoured, as the idea of her team laying hands on vulnerable people, with gentleness and care, though it sounds basic, is literally life changing for some people!

My skills – I am here to be Kylie’s right hand woman to help JH flourish and grow…through building ambassador relationships, and just getting the Give Back movement out into the world, however I can.

What lights me up – My family (husband, son and 2 pooches), swimming, my house (how lucky I am) and reading.

Nadia Young, Neuropsychotherapy Practitioner

When I joined – In 2018, when during a coffee catch up (actually an herbal tisane) with Kylie that the idea of adding mental health component to Joining Hands graced our minds..

Why I joined – I believe in the concept that each of us can contribute to a positive change in society by doing even a little bit. The work of Kylie and all the ambassadors of Joining Hands is very inspiring. Though some may perceive a massage treatment as a meaningless luxury, it is much more than that; the magical benefits of human touch cannot be underestimated.

My skills – Besides being a qualified counsellor and accredited neuropsychotherapy practitioner, I provide personal transformation programs as part of my business project, Freud and Coco. Oh, and I also can make the best borscht (ha, now go and google it).

What lights me up – Those universal things…sunlight, being in the nature, the sound of the ocean, the smile on the face of my loved ones, their huggles (hugs+cuddles) as well as seeing the strength of the human spirit, which I am humble to witness during the therapy session with my clients.

Joanne Paine, Treatment Facilitator

When I joined – I joined the team after a chance meeting with Kylie in 2012 and having ended up sourcing clinic space for her clients! Wow, so much has happened since then!

Why I joined – I’m extremely passionate about the access of quality natural therapies to society and raising awareness of its ability to overcome health obstacles many people face, especially people in disadvantaged situations.

My skills – Massage therapy. I’ve been treating the body for 15 years now as Healthy Balance Massage Therapy, and incorporate remedial massage, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, reiki and acupressure into my treatment sessions.

What lights me up – My work, dancing, surfing, football, being creative and receiving body treatments!

Asja Svilans, Business Strategist

When I joined – After meeting Kyie and becoming an Ambassador, I joined the team in early 2017.

Why I joined – I joined as an Ambassador as it was the ‘missing piece’ for the give-back component for my own business, The Grounded Way. It meant I could align and collaborate for impact right in my own backyard – rather than just donating to a charity, or trying to do it all myself. Joining the team was a natural progression from my dream-big conversations and brainstorming sessions with Kylie.

My skills – I am a bootstrapping kind of businesswoman. I love strategy that we can break down into manageable pieces to bring to life. Creativity and thinking out-of-the-box is part everyday business for me.

What lights me up – I am obsessed and fuelled by how much impact every dollar we spend can have. I always tried to be a minimalist, but we need to make dollars, and spend dollars, to effect a bigger change in the community – knowing the impact and reach of each dollar from the businesses I support, to which toilet paper I buy keeps me constantly curious. For me, it feels like a more beautiful way to live.

Kirsty Saint, Marketing Consultant & Facebook Ad Specialist

When I joined – In mid-2017, after hearing Kylie speak about her incredible story and the impact of Joining Hands. I wanted to reach out and see if I could be involved, but to my surprise, Asja contacted me first!

Why I joined – I experienced homelessness myself in my younger years, and also recently lost two of the people closest to me to cancer. I was incredibly inspired by Kylie’s wellness journey from her own cancer diagnosis, to then provide access to the same wellness services to young people in need.

My skills – All things digital marketing through my business, Social Saints…strategy development, copywriting and websites – but especially Facbook ads.

What lights me up – Sustainable living, organic fruit and vegetable gardening, enjoying nature at my acreage home in the Noosa Hinterland, travelling, and my new-found love of yoga.

Mark Teis, Founding Member

When I joined – The day in 2011 that Kylie sat on my couch on the back deck of my home in Ashmore.

Why I joined – To help at-risk youth and to show them that mindfulness and complimentary therapies work.

My skills – Business/financial ideas and funding. I also like to dream big.

What lights me up – I love the Homeless Connect days the most, and I love seeing the team working at events and knowing I was responsible for helping Joining Hands get to where it is today. I also love to dance, do yoga, surf, travel and gardening.

These fantastic organisations are all woven into the fabric of Joining Hands

Retail One Shopfitting Co

A crucial player in the team. Retail One Shopfitting Co provided the seed funding allowing Joining Hands to grow from a concept into a living and breathing social enterprise. Retail One continue to provide on-going funding so we can keep up our amazing work. Thank you Mark and the team at Retail One, we love you!

Healthy Balance Massage Therapy

An extraordinary and generous Partner. They donate a percentage from every client through the Coorparoo clinic back to Joining Hands. Gratitude and love to Jo and the team at Healthy Balance Massage Therapy.

Mayberry Anderson Meldrum Accountants and Taxation Consultants

The divine, kind, generous, wise and wonderful Jeannie from MMA in-kinds all of our accounting and taxation services. Thank you!