child using TalkiPlay
child using TalkiPlay

Designed by parents for parents.

Dr Annie McAuley created TalkiPlay to encourage her daughter Grace to speak, and that’s just what it did! Now, if you talk to Grace, she's the most talkative person in the room.

Grace has a voice and that's what Annie wants for every child – to have a voice.

Like 1 in 5 children under 5 years old in Australia, Annie's daughter was struggling with a delay in language development. A delay in early language impacts a child’s life literacy skills and confidence to engage in social connections. Annie applied her research background - along with her own experience of language loss following a traumatic brain injury aged 18 - to create TalkiPlay!

TalkiPlay makes learning language fun for kids and simple for parents, and can be used directly in the home or to support educators in Early Learning Centres with our Speech & Language Program.

Our Team

  • Dr Annie McAuley - Founder & CEO

    Annie has a background in research with a PhD in medical science, and was motivated to create TalkiPlay for her daughter. As the mother of two amazing kids, Annie has seen the benefits of early intervention in language development and can't wait to share her experience and results with you!

  • Rowan Holmes-Smith - Chief Product & Technology Officer

    Rowan has over 15 years experience in technology & production media. He creates all the audio that makes TalkiPlay such high quality. If he is not in the studio he can be found on the slopes skiing up a storm.

  • Kelly Mikunda - Chief Operating Officer

    Kelly completed a Bachelor in Marketing and IT and has over 20 years experience in administrative roles ranging from office management to executive support. She is consumer focused and has applied her extensive knowledge of kids apps and programs to ensure that TalkiPlay is user friendly and fun to use!

  • Victoria Pooley

    combines her MBA + 15 years in communication and digital projects within social enterprise, corporate, and government sectors to support TalkiPlay. With experience in the health-tech startup world, Victoria has a real passion for the future of digital health and language tools to ensure families (no matter their location or circumstance) have access and support to thrive.

  • David Grieve - Developer

    David is a Senior back-end developer with over 20 years experience in web application development for corporates and startups. He has been the lead developer for over 30 startups like grassrootz.com and moneysoft.com.au.
    David is a father to three kids, and has just lost the height battle to his 12 year old son. The family enjoys skiing holidays, but are yet to declare enjoyment for run club.

  • Amanda Derham, BA, Grad Dip SS & Bus, FAICD

    A linguist by training and a communicator by nature Amanda has had a portfolio executive career of 30+ years. She has held leadership positions at companies of all sizes and stages, from startups to public companies, often during periods of internal or external change. Her non-executive Director roles have been in the public and private sectors including companies in transport infrastructure, food manufacturing, welfare services and sporting organisations.
    As a golf tragic, mother of three, social media addict, venture partner, angel investor, entrepreneur, mentor and advisor many of Amanda's big career wins have come from listening to, building for and betting on women.

  • Catherine Robson - Investor and Board Member

    Catherine is an accomplished entrepreneur and award-winning financial adviser. Post her own successful exit, Catherine has been an active early stage investor, joining the board of TalkiPlay after participating in the company’s initial capital raise. Catherine is passionate about health and the positive impact of high-quality, evidence based, early intervention in the lives of not only individuals but the broader community. With 2 teenage children, Catherine continues to see the profound benefits of early childhood education and the need to make learning fun.