Starting with no investment capital in the 1990s, Toni co-founded and now serves as director at Tonic, a wellness and travel accessories company known for its popular heat pillow range. With more than two million heat pillows sold, Tonic has grown into a thriving international business, supplying more than 1,000 outlets across Australia, including major department stores, and boutiques throughout the US, Europe and Asia.

From its inception, Tonic focused on contemporary elegance while championing care and minimising its environmental footprint. Steadfast in sourcing local products, Tonic has curated a mindful luxury lifestyle and accessories brand, avoiding the use of animal products. Toni’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to win the Australian Mumpreneur Award 2012–2014 with her business partner, and to top it off, was also inducted into the Australian Business Women’s Network Hall of Fame.

In 2024, Toni was awarded an OAM for service to the community through social welfare initiatives. In that same year, she also received the Carey Medal, which recognises people in our community making positive change. It all began in 2003 when she had the impetus to give her coat to a homeless person, while out one cold night. It was this encounter that sparked her compassion and intense need to do something more about keeping people warm. Toni mirrored her entrepreneurial spirit with her charitable interest, to dream up Off Your Back, a coat-drive dedicated to providing warm coats to people in need during the colder months in Victoria. Without any money changing hands, it has collected more than 300,00 coats and distributed them to those in need.

Off Your Back distributes coats widely, including to Youth Projects – a charity that provides front-line support to young people and individuals experiencing disadvantage and homelessness – as well as to the Prison Network charity for ex-inmates, Salvation Army centres and a number of women’s shelters.

Toni has volunteered for more than 40 years at the Jewish Care, and 15 years with the Epworth Hospital and The Jewish Museum of Australia. When she is not working or volunteering, Toni loves connecting with friends and travelling. She is happily married with two adult sons.

Updated June 2026