Leigh Sales AM

ABC Journalist and Author (AUS)

Leigh Sales AM is a multi award-winning author and journalist at the ABC and anchors the much-loved Australian Story program. Before that, she presented the network's prime time current affairs program 7.30 for 12 years.

She has been the face of the ABC's major events coverage, including federal election and budget nights.

Leigh has interviewed every living Australian Prime Minister and innumerable world leaders and celebrities from Hillary Clinton and Tony Blair to Paul McCartney and Elton John. She's the author of five books, including the national bestseller Any Ordinary Day, Well Hello co-written with Annabel Crabb, and her latest Storytellers - a fascinating insight into the vital and much-misunderstood profession of Journalism.

Dr Nathalie Huitema

Sexologist and Psychologist (US/NL)

Dr Nathalie Huitema holds a PhD in human sexuality and is a trained psychologist with a focus on older adults. She is a registered psychologist in the Netherlands and a licensed sexologist in the US.

In her role as a sex educator, Dr Huitema has pioneered diverse sexuality training programs for long-term care. She is a (co-)author of numerous journal articles and book chapters, and her insights have been featured on radio shows and podcasts.

Specialising in the intersection of sexuality, ageing, and consent, Dr Huitema brings over 15 years of practical expertise to her field, acquired through her work in long-term care in the Netherlands. Nathalie's internationally focused work reflects a commitment to advancing understanding and awareness in the realm of human sexuality, particularly concerning older adults.

Dr Nathan Davies

Professor of Ageing, Applied Health and Care Research, Queen Mary University of London (UK)

Dr Nathan Davies is Professor of Ageing, Applied Health and Care Research, and Co-Centre Lead Psychiatry and Mental Health at Queen Mary University of London.

He is an internationally renowned expert in palliative dementia care, with interests in ageing, dementia, clinical decision making, unmet complex needs and eHealth. He has over 130 publications.

Dr Davies has an extensive record of high impact research in dementia care, including interventions on decision-making and inclusion, which have been implemented in health and care services globally. His work has included a decision aid for family carers supporting people with dementia, and a novel toolkit of rules-of-thumb for practitioners making end of life care decisions.

Dr Samir Sinha

Director of Geriatrics, Sinai Health System (CAN)

Dr Samir Sinha is the Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto, a Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and the Director of Health Policy Research at Toronto Metropolitan University’s National Institute on Ageing.

A Rhodes Scholar, Samir is a highly regarded clinician and international expert in the care of older adults. As an inaugural and current member of Canada’s Ministerial Advisory on Dementia, he helped to develop and implement Canada’s National Dementia Strategy in 2019.  In 2021, he was appointed to serve as a member of the Government of Canada’s National Seniors Council and recently led the successful development of Canada’s new National Long-Term Care Services Standard.  

Dr Tom Russ

Director, Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (UK)

Dr Tom Russ trained in medicine and psychiatry in Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands and London and undertook doctoral training at the University of Edinburgh. He works clinically with older people with dementia and has a PhD in dementia epidemiology.

He is an honorary Consultant Psychiatrist (NHS Lothian), Network Champion of the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Research Network (NHS Research Scotland), and Director of the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (PPLS, University of Edinburgh). He is interested in geographical variation in dementia and the environmental risk factors for dementia that might be responsible for this variation.

Senator Anne Ruston

Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care (AUS)

The Hon Anne Ruston has been a Senator since September 2012. She is currently the Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Shadow Minister for Sport and Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate.

Prior to the 2022 election, Senator Ruston was a Cabinet Minister, holding the positions of Minister for Families and Social Services, Minister for Women’s Safety and Manager of Government Business in the Senate for three years.

Before her election to the Senate, Anne held several senior positions in government and the private sector, including as the inaugural chief executive of the National Wine Centre. She was also a primary producer and irrigator, owning and operating the largest commercial rose garden in Australia.

Olga Pandos

Lecturer in Law and PhD Candidate, University of Adelaide (AUS)

Olga is a lecturer in Law and a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide, Adelaide Law School, Australia. In 2020, she was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of South Australia. Her PhD is in technology law and ethics, drawing upon her scientific background in biochemistry and genetics, examining the ethical and regulatory implications of heritable human genome editing.

Her research traverses medical law and ethics, with a specific focus on decision-making capacity, consent, supported decision-making, access to justice for vulnerable populations and reform. The intersection of health, medicine and the law are fundamental themes within Olga’s research.

Olga has extensive experience working within policy and law reform. She has been a lead researcher and project manager at the South Australian Law Reform Institute for four years. Her research has been published in leading peer review law journals. She has been an author of six reports to State Government. Most recently, Olga led and was lead author of the statutory independent review of the Mental Health Act in South Australia. Prior to her work at the South Australian Law Reform Institute, Olga worked as a policy officer for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Bill Yeates

Lived Experience Associate Consultant, Dementia Support Australia (AUS)

After graduating from Pharmacy, Bill entered the field of education where he was a school administrator and taught senior physics and chemistry for over 35 years.

In August 2019, at the age of 59, he was diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease. Bill has a keen interest in learning how to best manage his diagnosis on a daily basis and has created his own website where he enjoys helping and showing others how it is possible to still lead a better life. Besides being a volunteer surf lifesaver, Bill competes in masters swimming, finswimming, pool rescue and surf lifesaving championships, at a local, state, national and international level. In August last year, Bill travelled to Fiji and participated in his first ever ocean swim.

Currently, Bill is a member of Dementia Australia's Advocate Program and has been Vice Chair of Dementia Alliance International for the past two years. He is also a member of the World Health Organisation GDO KE Focus Group, member of the Global Review Panel for ADI Accreditation of dementia care and a member of the Public Involvement Panel for StepUp. Recently, Bill accepted the position of Living Experience Associate Consultant with Dementia Support Australia.

In the last few years, Bill has started to share his experiences at national and international conferences as a way of raising awareness about dementia, focussing mainly on post-diagnostic care and support via his holistic approach to life and the development of reablement plans. His goal here is to show by example that it is still possible to live a rewarding and fulfilling life.

Angela Raguz

General Manager, The Dementia Centre and Residential Care, HammondCare (AUS)

Angela Raguz is an Australian leader in dementia care, both in residential and ‘at home’ care. She is the General Manager of The Dementia Centre, and also the General Manager, Residential Care for HammondCare, which specialises in complex dementia care. Angela is highly qualified in best practice dementia design and quality service delivery and improvement, deeply involved from conception to planning of a residential service to commencement and operation and ensuring that services are aligned to philosophy of care.

Angela has worked in the aged care industry for 30 years, is a Registered Nurse and holds an MBA. 

Ashley Roberts

Dementia Consultant, The Dementia Centre (AUS)

Ashley Roberts has over 15 years’ experience of working in aged care. Upon earning his Graduate Diploma in Dementia 2013, Ashley ran his own dementia training company, ‘Dementia Inspired’, and chaired several committees to help develop dementia-friendly communities across the south-east of England. Ashley came to work as a dementia consultant for Dementia Support Australia in August 2017 and has recently graduated from the University of Tasmania’s Wicking Centre with a Master’s Degree in Dementia.

A key focus in the last few years has been exploring ways that people living with dementia in residential aged care facilities can be supported to maintain sexual and intimate relationships, in a time when facilities increasingly struggle to balance meeting the needs of people whilst protecting them from harm. This was the topic of his major project proposal through the Master’s that earnt him a high distinction.

Gwenda Darling

Dementia Advocate (AUS)

Gwenda received a dementia diagnosis in 2012. The diagnosing geriatrician gave her five years with medication, three without. The decision was made to take no medication but she never underestimated the ability of her neural pathways. 

Gwenda continues to live a full life with her dementia, even though it is changing. Gwenda advocates as a volunteer, and assists others in rural communities in navigating aged care services and dementia needs. Gwenda is a member of the National Older Persons Reference Group, (OPAN) Council of Elders, Dementia Australia Advisory Committee and AdNET registry steering committee, and an investigator with University of Western Australia, Deakin University and QUT research grants. Gwenda is also involved in many other research projects and advisory groups.

Encouraging everyone to talk about dementia, not only for the person living with the diagnosis and their family but friends, neighbours and the wider community, is another integral part of her life.

By being open about the impact of her own behaviour-variant frontotemporal dementia, Gwenda has helped not only herself, but all those she comes in contact with. She hopes that communities will start accepting and supporting those living with dementia to continue to live well in their own homes as long as possible. As a Palawa mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, her family see her as the matriarch and have joined in the fight to destigmatise dementia in communities.

Martin Rix

Chief Executive, Belong UK (UK)

Martin combines extensive experience in specialist dementia and nursing settings with a strong track record in development projects, ensuring that the pursuit of innovation, excellence and quality outcomes continue to drive Belong’s development as the organisation expands and evolves its services.

He joined Belong from another UK based care organisation, NorseCare, in 2022, where he had worked for over 10 years. He was Chief Operating Officer and led a portfolio of 36 care homes and housing with care schemes.

Martin started his career in property consultancy before developing a passion for social care. He is also a Chartered Management Surveyor and Civil Engineering graduate.

Martin lives in Cheshire with his wife and twin daughters and is passionate about music, sports and the arts. When time allows, he is likely to be found outdoors with his family, at the easel or perhaps helping with his other job, managing the local Under 10s girls’ football team.

Prof John Swinton

Author and Theologian, University of Aberdeen (UK)

The Rev Prof John Swinton, FBA, FRSE, is a Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care at the University of Aberdeen. He is an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland, and worked for more than a decade as a registered nurse specialising in psychiatry and learning disabilities. He also worked for a number of years as a hospital and community chaplain.

John serves as an honorary professor and researcher at Aberdeen’s Centre for Advanced Studies in Nursing. In 2004, he founded the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability and in 2014 he founded the University’s Centre for Ministry Studies.

John has published widely in the areas of disability theology, spirituality and health, qualitative research, and mental health. He is the author of Dementia: Living in the Memories of God.

Nicole Smith

Chief Operating Officer, Community Home Australia (AUS)

Nicole Smith is a dedicated advocate for using empathetic, enabling, and relationship-centred models within the aged care sector. With a background in nursing and a passion for enhancing the lives of those living with dementia, she has spearheaded several initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive and supportive communities. Her latest venture, in partnership with Dr Rodney Jilek, is the co-creation of Community Home Australia (CHA) and their all-inclusive Indonesian Resort (CHAIR), which seeks to revolutionise accommodation options for our elders. 
Nicole's experience as a clinical first responder for Aspen Medical, funded by the Commonwealth, provided her with invaluable insights into the challenges faced by nursing homes during the pandemic and beyond. Working across four states and witnessing the dire circumstances first-hand solidified her determination to enact positive change in this space. 
Her dedication to improving the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers is evident in her multifaceted approach, which combines expertise in nursing, gerontology, and community engagement to create meaningful and lasting impact.

Lindsay Bent

Clinical Lead, Ambulance Victoria (AUS)

Lindsay Bent is an intensive care paramedic of 34 years with Ambulance Victoria. He currently holds the position of Clinical Lead, Communications Centres.

Lindsay led the introduction of motorcycle paramedics in Victoria, and was the operational lead for the development of Australia’s first Mobile Stroke ambulance.

Currently, Lindsay is developing a revised clinical model to facilitate remote clinical support to deliver statewide remote guidance and instruction to Ambulance Victoria operational staff and external health services.

In 2009, Lindsay was appointed as an Officer of the Order of St John for sustained and diligent volunteer service to St John Ambulance Australia.

Marie Alford

Head of Dementia Support Australia (AUS)

With a background in social work, advocacy and leadership, Marie has a strong commitment to social justice and consumer engagement. Having worked in behaviour support programs for over 20 years, since the early Commonwealth initiatives, she is the strategic lead for Dementia Support Australia, a HammondCare-led service delivering national dementia support programs, and Head of Dementia Professional Services for The Dementia Centre.

She is a member of the Department of Health and Aged Care Expert Advisory Group. Specific areas of expertise are behaviour support and complex dementia, sports-related brain injury and supporting people living with dementia from diverse life experiences and backgrounds.

Prior to joining HammondCare, she was the Director of the South Australian and Northern Territory Dementia Training Study Centre, and General Manager of Alzheimer's Australia South Australia.

Dr Tim Henwood

Principal Consultant, AgeFIT Solutions (AUS)

As the Principal Consultant for AgeFIT Solutions, Dr Tim Henwood continues to advocate for older Australians and is focused on supporting aged and health service providers to develop wellbeing offerings that align to their business models and have measurable health benefits for their clients. He is passionate about seeing older adults get access to better health pathways independent of their age, disease or disability. As a researcher he has worked on a number of important projects that show people are never too old or too sick to push back on disability, and that exercise participation is key to later life independence. With Southern Cross Care (SA, NT and Vic) he was able to translate this into an evidenced based model of care, building one of Australia's most recognised allied health, therapy and respite services, offering significant physical, social and mental health benefits for its community membership.

Sarah Mitchell

Daughter of Wendy Mitchell (UK)

Sarah Mitchell is a Registered Nurse in the north of England, with a background in palliative care and oncology.

She supported her mum, well-known author and blogger Wendy Mitchell, to live as independently as she could with dementia over a period of 10 years.

Following Wendy’s death in February 2024, through the act of ‘voluntarily stopping eating and drinking’ (VSED), Sarah feels moved to share her experience in order to push forward the discussion around the complexities of dementia and assisted dying.

Dr Melanie Tan

Independent Clinical Governance and Medico-legal Consultant (AUS)

Dr Melanie Tan is an Independent Clinical Governance and Medico-legal Consultant. With experiences as a medical practitioner (in acute care), lawyer (in aged care, health and medical negligence), and co-carer at home in a palliative situation, Melanie offers a holistic and common-sense approach to contemporary clinical governance. As a CHIA (Certified Health Informatician of Australasia), Melanie also understands how health technology impacts clinical governance, and how clinical governance supports health technology. Melanie assists providers across all sectors to deliver the best care and support they possibly can (simultaneously mitigating medico-legal risks). In doing so, she helps identify, define and resolve complex issues at the intersection of law, medicine, care and governance, with an independent and objective perspective.

Dr Emma Hodges

Development Director, Compassionate Communities UK (UK)

Dr Emma Hodges is an experienced senior leader committed to improving health and care systems and services, removing health inequalities where possible.

Emma works as a freelance consultant on a range of assignments related to organisational development, health care, equity, and diversity.  She is also Development Director for Compassionate Communities UK, a charity that is based on public health palliative care, advocating for place-based system change.

One of her recent assignments is with CommonAge, helping produce the Dementia in the Commonwealth Report.

Emma has a professional background in human resources, organisational development and as a hospice CEO.  She holds a doctorate in health planning and management. Her research was a mixed methods study on the organisational factors influencing English hospices’ approach to services for people with dementia. She has a keen interest in organisational institutionalism and how that influences change.

Scott Duval

Assistant Commissioner, South Australian Police (AUS)

Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval joined South Australia Police in 1982 and has experience as a general duties patrol officer and a Detective with Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), as well as specialist crime experience in both metropolitan and country areas. In 2004 Scott was promoted to Inspector and his first posting was Officer in Change Adelaide CIB, then as the Officer in Charge Pedophile Task Force. In successive officer promotions Scott has been the Officer in Charge Licensing Enforcement Branch, Drug Investigation Branch, Media and Marketing Section, Executive Support Section and Regional Operations Service.

In 2017 Scott was promoted to Assistant Commissioner and has held the portfolios of Security and Emergency Management Service, Crime Service, Operations Support Service and since September 2020 has the portfolio for policing of the metropolitan area of Adelaide through Metropolitan Operations Service.

Scott is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and in 2015 was awarded the Australian Police Medal. He has also participated in the Pearls in Policing Program an international executive policing collaboration between Australia, Europe, United States of America, and South-East Asia. He is also a graduate member of the Company Directors Course.

Scott is married with two children and two grandchildren. He has a strong interest in travel with his wife and family and is a keen golfer.

Julane Bowen

Dementia and Mental Health Law Advocate (AUS)

Julane has over 30 years public sector experience, mainly with various NSW agencies and not for profits. Julane has held senior roles in policy development and implementation, organisational design and capability, corporate services, and operational service delivery. Julane is now very active in dementia advocacy and serving people living with rare dementias and their carers. Julane met her husband Jeff four decades ago while both were travelling in Europe. Jeff was an international commercial pilot who Julane was able to join on many trips, exploring the wonders of the world together. Sadly, when Jeff retired at age 65 his health deteriorated rapidly, two years later a diagnosis of bvFTD rocked all retirement plans. Julane experienced first-hand the difficulties of the unknown that is dementia. Diagnosis was slow and required constant advocacy to get the necessary tests required for answers. Legal problems became a daily occurrence, the most significant being the fight to get Jeff home to live out his days surrounded by his family. Julane responded by returning to university and obtaining an Honours Law degree, where she hopes to advocate for other families on the dementia journey.

Dr Guruprasad Nagaraj

Director of Emergency, Sydney Adventist Hospital (AUS)

Dr Guruprasad Nagaraj is a senior emergency physician with special interest in geriatric acute care, integrated care and end of life care. He is Director of Emergency at Sydney Adventist Hospital, a Clinical Associate Professor at ANU and a Non-Executive of Director Evergreen Life Care. Over the last decade he has led clinical innovations in the acute care of the elderly and end-of-life care, while supporting the establishment of geriatric emergency medicine training in Australia and emergency medicine as a specialty in several countries. He set up the set up first ever Geriatric Emergency Term in Australia at Hornsby Hospital in Sydney and is a founding member of the ACEM Geriatric Emergency Medicine Section.

Luke Campbell

Family Advocate (AUS)

Luke Campbell believes support for both newly diagnosed young onset dementia patients, their carers and family can and should be radically improved.

His experience supporting his partner Lisa and their three amazing children following her young onset dementia diagnosis in 2020 at the age of just 47, has been like trying to solve a Rubik's cube.

Having had a successful career in the finance industry, Luke is now studying a Bachelor of Health Sciences which he believes is helping him with the challenging task of meeting Lisa’s ever-changing and complex care requirements.

Nick Seemann

Co-author, National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines (AUS)

Nick Seemann is the managing director of Constructive Dialogue Architects and Environments Specialist at Dementia Training Australia. Through these roles is involved in strategic, professional and educational roles that support development of supportive aged care homes.

Nick is one of the lead authors of the draft National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines for the Department of Health and Aged Care. His architecture firm works with aged care, remote Aboriginal health, and other social service providers. This work includes development of new buildings, the transformation of existing buildings, and the strategic review of care home infrastructure. At Dementia Training Australia, he is involved in the development and implementation of aged care workforce training across the country.   

The Hon Anika Wells MP

Federal Minister for Aged Care (AUS)

The Hon Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care and Sport, is the Federal Member for Lilley and lives on the Northside of Brisbane with her husband Finn, daughter Celeste, twins Ossian and Dashiell and their rescue kelpie Don.

Prior to entering the Australian Parliament in 2019, Anika studied at Griffith University while working in aged care with her mother, before working as a lawyer for people injured at work or on the road.

Following the election of the Albanese Government in May 2022, Anika was appointed Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport.

Minister Wells became a parliamentarian to be a good ancestor, a valued member of her community and to ensure millennials have a seat at the decision-making table.

In her role as Aged Care Minister, Anika has been working hard to deliver a safe and high quality, person-centred aged care system that older people and their families can trust.

So far, the Minister has addressed 89 Royal Commission recommendations and implemented all core election aged care commitments, including the introduction of 24/7 nursing, mandatory care requirements and the Star Ratings system.

The Minister has also delivered a historic $11.3 billion funding to lift aged care award wages by 15 per cent.

Linda Justin

CommonAge Board Director (AUS)

Linda has held a variety of senior management roles in health and human services, in the NGO, public and private sectors. She sits on a number of Boards in Australia. In her substantive work, Linda has worked with Boards, executives, and front-line staff for organisational transformation both culturally and operationally.

She has also worked with several national and international health organisations and policy committees throughout her career. Linda is currently completing a PhD programme at UTS, where she is a casual lecturer.

Emily Harper

First Assistant Secretary – Market and Workforce Division (AUS)

As First Assistant Secretary, Market and Workforce Division – Ageing and Aged Care Group within the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, Emily oversees a variety of policy and program areas, including those related to dementia, workforce, market intelligence and monitoring, diversity and First Nations aged care.  

Emily joined the Market and Workforce Division in July 2024, having previously held senior executive positions within the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Division, the Office of Health Protection and Response and as Chief Budget Officer within the Department. Emily started her career as a nurse, working clinically for several years before undertaking various senior executive roles within State Government and in the private sector, prior to joining the Australian Public Service. Emily has tertiary qualifications in nursing, forensic science, epidemiology and public health.

Megan Cox

Director, Behaviour Support Unit, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (AUS)

Megan Cox is the Director of the Behaviour Support and Restrictive Practices Unit at the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Megan is a Registered Nurse and has extensive experience working in clinical, education, governance and leadership roles across the aged care sector. Megan has used her expertise and nursing qualifications to support students developing valuable skills through Vocational Education and Training as a teacher in aged care, community care and disability qualifications. Megan holds a Masters Degree of Gerontology and brings specialist clinical expertise in supporting the older person particularly people living with dementia and supporting individuals experiencing complex behaviours.