Gemma Baxter is an accredited therapeutic foster carer who has been providing care since 2023. During this time, she has cared for a number of children and young people through emergency, respite and longer-term placements, ranging from a single evening to ten months. She currently provides short-term, emergency and respite care.

Professionally, Gemma is the Innovation Program Manager at the Municipal Association of Victoria's innovation lab, MAVlab. MAVlab's 'Designing Collective Innovation Capability for Local Government' was recently acknowledged with an Australian Good Design Award for Public Sector Service Design. Gemma's career spans architecture, brand strategy and communications, fashion design, entrepreneurship, systems and service design, digital transformation, smart cities and innovation. She holds a PCI Change Management certification and has completed professional training in psychological safety, agile delivery and service design. Gemma serves on the Monash Business School Advisory Board, is a 2026 Melbourne Awards Judge and contributes to research and advisory groups. She is also a regular keynote speaker on digital transformation, systems change and innovation, helping audiences explore these topics through a people and community-centred lens.

A committed lifelong learner, Gemma seeks to apply her knowledge and experience to create greater opportunities, safety and support for children in care and the broader carer community. Gemma is a passionate advocate for connection, relational care and creating environments that support carers, children and families to thrive. As a Director of the Board of the FCAV, Gemma is particularly interested in innovative approaches that strengthen support for carers and children, build community understanding of foster care through strategic storytelling, and foster collaboration across diverse coalitions to improve outcomes for children and young people.