35 Best Thought Leaders in Residential Aged Care (2026)

Residential aged care in Australia and New Zealand stands at a defining moment. The Aged Care Act 2024 commenced on 1 November 2025, fundamentally reshaping provider obligations, consumer rights, and the regulatory architecture that governs how older Australians receive care. Across the Tasman, New Zealand has established a new Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group and is pursuing its most significant sector reform in a generation.

Behind every meaningful shift in how we care for older people, there are individuals who drive the conversation forward. These are the thought leaders, the CEOs transforming provider models, the academics producing research that changes clinical practice, the advocates ensuring older people have a voice, and the innovators building technology that improves quality of life. Finding them all in one place is nearly impossible. Until now.

This directory profiles 35 of the most influential thought leaders shaping residential aged care across Australia and New Zealand in 2026. It spans provider executives, policy architects, consumer advocates, researchers, clinicians, innovation leaders, and cross-Tasman figures whose work reaches both countries. Whether you lead an aged care organisation, sit on a board, work in policy, or simply want to understand who is driving the future of the sector, this is your starting point.

Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out with over 10,000 copies sold globally and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, works with aged care leadership teams to improve how they communicate, collaborate, and lead. His work with organisations across Australia, the UK, USA, Singapore, Canada, and beyond brings a leadership development lens that complements the sector-specific expertise of the thought leaders profiled here. To discuss how Jonno might support your aged care leadership team, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

How We Identified These Thought Leaders

Identifying thought leaders requires more than listing executives with impressive titles. For this directory, we evaluated individuals against several criteria that distinguish genuine thought leadership from positional authority alone.

First, we looked for people who are actively shaping sector discourse through published commentary, conference presentations, media appearances, or social media engagement. Second, we considered the scope and significance of their influence, whether their work affects policy, clinical practice, provider operations, consumer experience, or innovation at a national or cross-Tasman level. Third, we assessed currency, prioritising individuals whose contributions are particularly relevant during this period of unprecedented reform. Fourth, we valued diversity of perspective, ensuring the directory includes voices from large and small providers, for-profit and not-for-profit organisations, clinical and non-clinical backgrounds, and both Australia and New Zealand.

The result is a directory of 35 individuals organised into seven categories. Each category reflects a distinct dimension of thought leadership in residential aged care: provider leadership, policy and reform, consumer advocacy, research, clinical excellence, innovation, and cross-Tasman influence.

1. Provider CEOs and Executives Reshaping Residential Aged Care

The largest residential aged care providers in Australia and New Zealand employ tens of thousands of staff and care for hundreds of thousands of older people. The CEOs who lead these organisations wield enormous influence over sector direction, not just through the scale of their operations, but through the models of care they champion, the workforce strategies they deploy, and the public positions they take on reform.

Tom Symondson

CEO, Ageing Australia (formerly ACCPA), Australia

Tom Symondson is arguably the single most visible peak body voice in Australian aged care. As CEO of Ageing Australia, the national body representing aged care providers, he has been at the centre of every major reform discussion since 2022. He served on the Aged Care Taskforce that designed the funding model underpinning the Aged Care Act 2024 and continues to serve on the Aged Care Transition Taskforce guiding implementation. His ability to translate complex policy and reform into practical language has made him essential reading for anyone trying to understand where the sector is heading. With more than 20 years of experience spanning aged care, public health, and local government in both Australia and the UK, Tom brings a genuinely cross-sector perspective that most peak body leaders lack.

Linda Mellors

Managing Director and CEO, Regis Healthcare, Australia

Linda Mellors leads one of Australia's largest listed residential aged care providers, with over 60 homes across every state and the Northern Territory. Regis has been recognised at both the Future of Ageing Awards and the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards, reflecting an organisational commitment to quality and innovation that goes beyond compliance. Her influence extends through the scale of Regis operations and through the company's public commentary on workforce, funding viability, and quality improvement during a period of intense regulatory change.

Sean Bilton

CEO and Managing Director, Estia Health, Australia

Sean Bilton leads Australia's largest listed residential aged care provider by number of homes, with more than 80 facilities across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. Estia Health's influence on the sector comes through its significant market presence and its operational approach to navigating the new regulatory environment. As the sector consolidates, with the top 25 providers now controlling nearly 45 percent of all operational places according to KPMG's 2024 analysis, the strategic decisions made by leaders like Sean ripple across the entire industry.

Olivier Chretien

Group CEO, Bolton Clarke, Australia

Olivier Chretien leads one of Australia's largest independent not-for-profit providers at a critical moment for the sector. Bolton Clarke's model, spanning residential aged care, home care, and retirement living, positions it at the intersection of every major reform stream. The organisation has been recognised at the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards and has been expanding its home care footprint nationally. Olivier's visibility on LinkedIn and in industry media makes him one of the more accessible provider voices in the sector, regularly sharing commentary on reform implementation, workforce, and care quality.

Russell Bricknell

CEO, Juniper Aged Care, Australia

Russell Bricknell has emerged as one of the most outspoken provider voices on LinkedIn, regularly publishing detailed commentary on residential aged care bed shortages, workforce challenges, and funding viability, particularly in Western Australia. His willingness to speak publicly about the financial pressures facing providers, and to do so with data and specificity rather than platitudes, has made him a trusted voice for executives across the sector who feel the same pressures but may lack the platform to articulate them.

2. Policy and Reform Architects

The Aged Care Act 2024 represents the most significant legislative reform to Australian aged care in a generation. Behind it sits a network of politicians, bureaucrats, and independent advisors whose work over the past three years has fundamentally reshaped the sector's regulatory and funding architecture. These are the people who designed the system that every provider, clinician, and consumer must now navigate.

Anne Burgess AM

Chair, Aged Care Council of Elders and Aged Care Transition Taskforce, Australia

Anne Burgess is one of the most important lived-experience leaders in Australia's aged care reform architecture. As Chair of both the Aged Care Council of Elders and the Aged Care Transition Taskforce, she ensures that the perspectives of older Australians remain central to reform implementation. Her influence is not derived from organisational scale but from moral authority and sustained commitment to ensuring that the rights-based framework promised by the new Act translates into real improvements in how people experience care.

Sonja Stewart

Deputy Secretary, Ageing and Aged Care Group, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Australia

Sonja Stewart is the senior public servant most directly responsible for implementation of the Aged Care Act 2024 and the broader reform program. As Deputy Secretary and deputy chair of the Transition Taskforce, she sits at the operational heart of the government machinery delivering Support at Home, strengthened Quality Standards, and the new regulatory model. Her role makes her one of the most influential people in the sector, even if her public profile is lower than many others on this list.

Janet Anderson PSM

Commissioner, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Australia

Janet Anderson oversees the regulatory body that determines whether aged care providers meet the strengthened Quality Standards that took effect with the new Act on 1 November 2025. The Commission's approach to provider compliance, care minutes, governance, and enforcement directly shapes the operating environment for every residential aged care facility in Australia. Under the new Act, the Commission's powers have expanded significantly, making Janet one of the most consequential figures in the sector.

Professor Kathy Eagar

Health Economist and Academic, UNSW/University of Wollongong, Australia

Professor Kathy Eagar is widely recognised as the chief architect of the Australian National Aged Care Classification, known as AN-ACC, the funding model that now determines how residential aged care is financed across Australia. Her work translated complex health economics research into a practical classification system that replaced the outdated Aged Care Funding Instrument. Few individuals have had a more direct and lasting impact on the financial architecture of the sector.

Ian Yates AM

Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care, Australia

Ian Yates brings decades of experience as the former long-serving CEO of COTA Australia to his current role as Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care. The Inspector-General provides independent, systemic oversight of the federal aged care system, a function that has become critical during the transition to the new Act. Ian's deep knowledge of the sector from the consumer perspective, combined with his current oversight role, makes him uniquely positioned to identify whether reform promises are translating into real outcomes.

3. Consumer Advocates and Peak Body Leaders

The new Aged Care Act is explicitly rights-based, placing the Statement of Rights at the centre of the legislative framework. This means consumer advocates and peak body leaders have never been more important. These individuals ensure that reform serves the people it was designed for, not just the organisations that deliver care.

Patricia Sparrow

CEO, COTA Australia, Australia

Patricia Sparrow leads the national consumer peak body for older Australians, giving her a platform that reaches across every dimension of aged care reform. She served on both the Aged Care Taskforce and the Transition Taskforce, making her one of a small number of people who have been present at every major reform table. Her focus on affordability, access, implementation quality, and the lived experience of older Australians provides a necessary counterweight to provider-dominated discussions about sustainability and funding.

Craig Gear OAM

CEO, Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), Australia

Craig Gear has been one of the most influential voices ensuring that the Statement of Rights embedded in the new Aged Care Act has real teeth. As CEO of OPAN, which provides free advocacy services for older people receiving aged care, he sits at the intersection of individual advocacy and systemic reform. He serves on both the Transition Taskforce and the National Aged Care Advisory Council, and his Medal of the Order of Australia recognises his sustained contribution to aged care advocacy.

Annie Butler

Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Australia

Annie Butler represents the nursing workforce that delivers the majority of clinical care in residential aged care facilities. Her influence on care minute mandates, staffing ratios, workforce conditions, and clinical standards has been enormous. She serves on both the Transition Taskforce and the National Aged Care Advisory Council. In a sector where workforce shortages consistently rank as the number one operational challenge for providers, the ANMF's positions under Annie's leadership have direct and immediate consequences for every aged care facility in the country.

Professor Tanya Buchanan

CEO, Dementia Australia, Australia

Professor Tanya Buchanan leads the national peak body for people living with dementia and their families. Given that dementia is the leading cause of disease burden in Australians aged 65 and over, and the single largest driver of residential aged care admissions, her voice carries enormous weight in reform discussions. She serves on the Aged Care Transition Taskforce and advocates for dementia-specific quality standards, workforce training, and research funding that directly shapes how residential care facilities operate.

Tracey Martin

Chief Executive, Aged Care Association of New Zealand

Tracey Martin, formerly a Member of Parliament who served as Minister for Children and Associate Minister of Education, now leads the peak body representing approximately 93 percent of New Zealand's aged residential care beds. The Aged Care Association has been running a high-profile public campaign, the Domino Effect, highlighting chronic underfunding, mass bed closures, and the absence of a coherent national plan for an ageing population. Under Tracey's leadership, the ACA has become the most prominent advocacy voice in New Zealand's aged care sector, pushing for sustainable funding, workforce stability, and systemic reform.

4. Researchers and Academics Advancing Aged Care Knowledge

The quality of residential aged care improves when research translates into practice. These academics and researchers are producing the evidence base that informs policy, shapes clinical guidelines, and drives innovation across both countries.

Professor Henry Brodaty AO

Scientia Professor of Ageing and Mental Health, UNSW; Consultant Psychogeriatrician, Australia

Professor Henry Brodaty is one of the most influential ageing and dementia researchers in the world. His work spans dementia prevention, carer support, psychogeriatric care, and translational research that directly affects how residential aged care facilities approach cognitive decline. He is a founding member of the Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration and his publication record and international recognition make him the benchmark for research impact in Australian aged care.

Professor Ngaire Kerse

University of Auckland, New Zealand

Professor Ngaire Kerse is one of New Zealand's most influential ageing researchers, with work spanning function, residential care culture, falls prevention, and advanced-age cohorts. Her research has helped shape how New Zealand approaches health and wellbeing for older people, and her advocacy for changing perceptions about ageing extends well beyond academic circles. She leads the LiLACS NZ study, the first longitudinal study of ageing in the oldest old in New Zealand, providing data that directly informs policy and practice.

Professor Joseph Ibrahim

Geriatrician and Academic, Monash University, Australia

Professor Joseph Ibrahim is known for his uncompromising advocacy on clinical governance, elder abuse prevention, and quality improvement in residential aged care. His research on preventable deaths in aged care has been widely cited in reform discussions, and his willingness to speak publicly and bluntly about systemic failures makes him one of the most distinctive voices in the sector. His LinkedIn presence is a must-follow for anyone seeking unfiltered clinical perspectives on aged care quality.

Professor Debra Waters

University of Otago; Director, Ageing Well Science Challenge, New Zealand

Professor Debra Waters is a major gerontology and falls-prevention voice in New Zealand. As founding director of the CARE research network and Director of the Ageing Well Science Challenge, she connects academic research with practical applications in aged residential care. New Zealand is the birthplace of the Otago Exercise Program, one of the most effective home-based falls prevention programs in the world, and Professor Waters continues to build on that legacy with research that directly improves outcomes for older people.

Associate Professor Michal Boyd

University of Auckland / Freemasons' Department of Geriatric Medicine, New Zealand

Associate Professor Michal Boyd is an important researcher in geriatric nursing and aged residential care, driving clinical leadership and advanced nursing practice in New Zealand. Her work on nurse practitioner models in aged care has particular relevance at a time when both countries face acute nursing workforce shortages. Her research directly informs how New Zealand aged residential care facilities can leverage advanced nursing roles to improve care quality and clinical outcomes.

5. Clinicians and Geriatricians Leading Care Excellence

Clinical leadership in residential aged care is essential because the acuity of residents continues to increase. People are entering residential care later in life, with more complex health conditions and higher care needs than ever before. These clinicians are defining what excellent care looks like and advocating for the systems and standards needed to deliver it.

Professor Susan Kurrle AO

Geriatrician; Curran Chair in Health Care of Older People, University of Sydney, Australia

Professor Susan Kurrle is a geriatrician whose research and practice interests centre on dementia, frailty, elder abuse, geriatric outreach services, successful ageing, and intergenerational programs. She is the current president of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine and was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2023 for distinguished service to medicine as a geriatrician, and to research into dementia and cognitive function. Her media profile and public commentary make her one of the most recognisable clinical voices in aged care.

Professor Len Gray

Professor in Geriatric Medicine, University of Queensland / NARI, Australia

Professor Len Gray is highly relevant for geriatric medicine, ageing systems, and translational aged care research. His work at the National Ageing Research Institute connects clinical practice with the evidence base needed to improve care delivery in residential settings. His expertise in comprehensive geriatric assessment and health informatics for older people positions him at the intersection of clinical care and system design.

Dr Sanka Amadoru

Geriatrician; Founding Director and CMIO, Aria Health; Elected Councillor, ANZSGM, Australia/New Zealand

Dr Sanka Amadoru is a geriatrician working across public hospitals, private clinics, and residential aged care facilities. As a founding director and Chief Medical Information Officer at Aria Health, he is committed to improving the care of older people through research, clinical trials, workforce training, advisory services in digital health, and medical governance. His role as an Elected Councillor and Company Director for the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine gives him influence across both countries.

Professor Nancy Pachana

Professor of Clinical Geropsychology, University of Queensland, Australia

Professor Nancy Pachana is an important thought leader on ageing, mental health, and age-friendly systems. Her expertise in clinical geropsychology addresses the psychological dimensions of ageing that are often overlooked in discussions dominated by clinical care and funding models. Mental health conditions among residential aged care residents are widespread, and Professor Pachana's work ensures that psychological wellbeing remains part of the sector's quality conversation.

Professor Tim Wilkinson

University of Otago, Christchurch; Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine, New Zealand

Professor Tim Wilkinson is a leading academic-clinical voice in New Zealand geriatrics. His work at the University of Otago in Christchurch combines clinical practice with research and teaching in geriatric medicine, contributing to the workforce pipeline and clinical standards that underpin quality residential aged care in New Zealand. His influence extends through the geriatricians and registrars he has trained who now work across the country's aged care system.

6. Innovation and Technology Leaders

Technology and innovation are transforming residential aged care, from AI-powered clinical decision support to virtual reality programs that combat social isolation. These leaders are proving that aged care can be a sector defined by innovation rather than tradition.

Dr George Margelis

Chief Technology Advisor, Ageing Australia, Australia

Dr George Margelis serves as the peak body's technology voice, advising on digital strategy, innovation adoption, and technology policy across the aged care sector. He served on the judging panel for the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards in 2025 and has been instrumental in connecting Australian aged care providers with global innovation networks. His role bridges the gap between technology developers and the aged care providers who need practical, scalable solutions.

Reuben Jacob

CEO, ARIIA (Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia), Australia

Reuben Jacob leads the organisation connecting research evidence with provider practice in Australian aged care. ARIIA was recognised at the 2025 Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards, reflecting its growing influence in the innovation ecosystem. Reuben's work ensures that the evidence-to-practice pipeline, which has historically been weak in aged care compared to acute health, becomes stronger and faster.

Rob Covino

Co-Founder, Mirus Australia, Australia

Rob Covino has become one of the most followed voices in Australian aged care for his granular data analysis on AN-ACC funding, occupancy rates, care minute compliance, and room pricing trends. Mirus Australia's monthly industry metrics have become essential reading for provider executives, board members, and analysts. His LinkedIn posts consistently cut through complexity with data-driven clarity, making him one of the most practically useful thought leaders for anyone trying to understand the financial dynamics of residential aged care.

Jennene Buckley

Founding Partner, Enkindle Consulting, Australia

Jennene Buckley is one of the most respected strategic advisors in the Australian aged care sector, helping providers navigate AN-ACC funding, Support at Home transitions, and governance challenges. Her LinkedIn presence features thoughtful analysis of board governance, global care models, and strategic positioning that resonates with CEOs and directors. Her insights are particularly valuable for smaller and mid-sized providers that lack the internal policy teams of the larger operators.

Julie Anderson

Head of Innovation, Ageing Australia, Australia

Julie Anderson leads the InnovAGEING program at Ageing Australia, championing the innovation and technology transformation agenda across the sector. She has walked alongside many organisations navigating change and adversity, and is passionate about driving sector-led innovation and empowering the aged care workforce. Under her leadership, Australian aged care providers have been increasingly recognised at international innovation awards, including the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards where Australian organisations won 14 separate awards in 2025.

7. Cross-Tasman Leaders Influencing Both Countries

Australia and New Zealand share workforce pipelines, regulatory ideas, provider models, and increasingly, the same operators. These leaders work across both countries and their influence extends beyond national borders.

Naomi James

Group CEO, Ryman Healthcare, New Zealand/Australia

Naomi James leads the largest retirement village and aged care operator in New Zealand, a company that is also rapidly expanding across Australia. Ryman Healthcare, founded in 1984 and dual-listed on the NZX and ASX, operates more than 49 villages in New Zealand and continues to build in Australia. Ryman's integrated model, covering independent living, assisted living, rest home, hospital, and dementia care, represents the continuum of care approach that many Australian providers are now trying to replicate. Naomi's leadership of the company's financial turnaround and sustainability strategy makes her one of the most watched executives in the trans-Tasman aged care market.

Suzanne Dvorak

CEO, Oceania Healthcare, New Zealand

Suzanne Dvorak is one of the most important cross-Tasman figures in aged care. She built her career in Australian healthcare and held senior roles including leadership positions at Bupa before moving across the Tasman in 2024 to become CEO of NZ-listed Oceania Healthcare, which operates more than 40 locations across New Zealand. Her appointment signalled the increasing integration between the Australian and New Zealand aged care markets and her experience across both systems gives her a uniquely valuable perspective on sector challenges and opportunities.

Scott Scoullar

CEO, Summerset Group, New Zealand/Australia

Scott Scoullar leads Summerset, one of New Zealand's largest retirement village operators, which is now aggressively expanding into the Australian market, particularly in Victoria. Summerset's modern, resort-style villages with a full continuum of care services represent the New Zealand model that is increasingly being exported to Australia. The company's expansion strategy, combined with its scale in New Zealand with more than 37 villages, makes Scott an influential voice on the future of integrated aged care and retirement living in both countries.

David Cunliffe

Chair, Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group; Chair, Selwyn Foundation, New Zealand

David Cunliffe chairs the newly established Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group in New Zealand, which began work in January 2026 and is tasked with reporting back to government by mid-2026 on the future of aged care in the country. As a former Member of Parliament and current Chair of the Selwyn Foundation, one of New Zealand's most respected aged care providers, he brings both political experience and sector knowledge to a role that will significantly shape New Zealand's aged care reform trajectory. The Advisory Group represents the most significant formal policy development process in New Zealand aged care in years.

Carolyn Cooper

Former Aged Care Commissioner, New Zealand

Carolyn Cooper served as New Zealand's Aged Care Commissioner until August 2025, a role focused on advocating for quality health and disability services for older people and providing strategic oversight to drive quality improvement. During her tenure, she produced significant reports on the issues and challenges faced by older people using health and disability services, including the Amplifying the Voices of Older People in Aotearoa New Zealand report. Her work laid important groundwork for the reform agenda now being pursued through the Ministerial Advisory Group.

Complete Directory: All 35 Thought Leaders at a Glance

Name	Role	Organisation	Country	Category
Tom Symondson	CEO	Ageing Australia	AUS	Provider
Linda Mellors	MD & CEO	Regis Healthcare	AUS	Provider
Sean Bilton	CEO & MD	Estia Health	AUS	Provider
Olivier Chretien	Group CEO	Bolton Clarke	AUS	Provider
Russell Bricknell	CEO	Juniper Aged Care	AUS	Provider
Anne Burgess AM	Chair	Transition Taskforce	AUS	Policy
Sonja Stewart	Deputy Secretary	Dept of Health	AUS	Policy
Janet Anderson PSM	Commissioner	ACQSC	AUS	Policy
Professor Kathy Eagar	Health Economist	UNSW/UOW	AUS	Policy
Ian Yates AM	Inspector-General	IGAC	AUS	Policy
Patricia Sparrow	CEO	COTA Australia	AUS	Advocacy
Craig Gear OAM	CEO	OPAN	AUS	Advocacy
Annie Butler	Federal Secretary	ANMF	AUS	Advocacy
Prof Tanya Buchanan	CEO	Dementia Australia	AUS	Advocacy
Tracey Martin	Chief Executive	ACA New Zealand	NZ	Advocacy
Prof Henry Brodaty AO	Scientia Professor	UNSW	AUS	Research
Prof Ngaire Kerse	Professor	Univ of Auckland	NZ	Research
Prof Joseph Ibrahim	Geriatrician	Monash University	AUS	Research
Prof Debra Waters	Director	Ageing Well NZ	NZ	Research
A/Prof Michal Boyd	Researcher	Univ of Auckland	NZ	Research
Prof Susan Kurrle AO	Geriatrician	Univ of Sydney	AUS	Clinical
Prof Len Gray	Professor	UQ / NARI	AUS	Clinical
Dr Sanka Amadoru	Geriatrician	Aria Health	AUS/NZ	Clinical
Prof Nancy Pachana	Professor	UQ	AUS	Clinical
Prof Tim Wilkinson	Physician	Univ of Otago	NZ	Clinical
Dr George Margelis	CTO Advisor	Ageing Australia	AUS	Innovation
Reuben Jacob	CEO	ARIIA	AUS	Innovation
Rob Covino	Co-Founder	Mirus Australia	AUS	Innovation
Jennene Buckley	Founding Partner	Enkindle	AUS	Innovation
Julie Anderson	Head of Innovation	Ageing Australia	AUS	Innovation
Naomi James	Group CEO	Ryman Healthcare	NZ/AUS	Cross-Tasman
Suzanne Dvorak	CEO	Oceania Healthcare	NZ	Cross-Tasman
Scott Scoullar	CEO	Summerset Group	NZ/AUS	Cross-Tasman
David Cunliffe	Chair	NZ Advisory Group	NZ	Cross-Tasman
Carolyn Cooper	Former Commissioner	HDC NZ	NZ	Cross-Tasman

How to Choose the Right Thought Leaders to Follow

With 35 thought leaders profiled across seven categories, the natural question is where to start. The answer depends on your role and what you need right now.

If you are a provider CEO or board member navigating the new regulatory environment, start with the policy architects and the provider CEOs who are publicly sharing their experiences. Tom Symondson, Janet Anderson, Russell Bricknell, Rob Covino, and Jennene Buckley should be on your LinkedIn feed immediately.

If you lead a clinical team, the researchers and clinicians on this list will be most valuable. Professor Henry Brodaty, Professor Susan Kurrle, and Professor Joseph Ibrahim are producing work that directly affects clinical practice in residential aged care.

If you work in New Zealand aged care, prioritise Tracey Martin, Naomi James, David Cunliffe, Professor Ngaire Kerse, and Suzanne Dvorak. Together they cover peak body advocacy, the largest providers, the new reform architecture, and the strongest academic voice in New Zealand aged care.

If you sit at the intersection of both countries, the cross-Tasman leaders in Category 7 are essential. The flow of ideas, workforce, and capital between Australia and New Zealand means that understanding both systems is increasingly a competitive advantage for any aged care leader.

Jonno White, Certified Working Genius Facilitator and bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out, delivers keynotes, workshops, and executive team offsites for aged care leadership teams. Whether your team needs to align on strategy after the new Act, improve communication across clinical and operational silos, or build a culture that attracts and retains staff, Jonno brings frameworks and facilitation that create lasting change. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to start a conversation.

What to Expect: Working with Aged Care Leadership Consultants

Engaging external leadership support for your aged care team typically involves several options, ranging from half-day workshops to multi-day executive team offsites. Pricing varies considerably depending on the facilitator's expertise, geographic reach, and the scope of the engagement.

Specialised aged care consultancies like Anchor Excellence and Enkindle Consulting focus exclusively on the sector, bringing deep regulatory and operational knowledge. Leadership development organisations like Ageing Australia offer programs including their Leadership Accelerator Program, which has been rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by hundreds of participants.

For aged care organisations seeking leadership development that addresses the human dynamics underlying team performance, communication, and collaboration, bringing in an external facilitator with expertise in team assessment frameworks can be transformative. Many organisations find that the investment in a well-facilitated offsite or workshop pays for itself through improved alignment, reduced conflict, and stronger retention of key staff.

For a custom quote from Jonno White for your aged care leadership team keynote, workshop, or offsite, email jonno@consultclarity.org. International travel is often far more affordable than clients expect, and many organisations find that flying Jonno in costs less than engaging high-profile local providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the most influential aged care thought leaders in Australia and New Zealand right now?

The most influential thought leaders span provider leadership, policy, advocacy, research, clinical practice, and innovation. Key figures include Tom Symondson (CEO, Ageing Australia), Patricia Sparrow (CEO, COTA Australia), Naomi James (CEO, Ryman Healthcare), Professor Henry Brodaty AO (UNSW), and Tracey Martin (Chief Executive, Aged Care Association NZ). This directory profiles 35 individuals across seven categories to provide a comprehensive overview of who is shaping the sector.

What is the Aged Care Act 2024 and how does it affect the sector?

The Aged Care Act 2024 is a rights-based legislative framework that commenced on 1 November 2025, replacing the previous Aged Care Act 1997. It places a Statement of Rights at the centre of the system, introduces strengthened Quality Standards, expands regulatory powers, and introduces personal liability for responsible persons. It represents the most significant reform to Australian aged care since the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Who is leading aged care reform in New Zealand?

New Zealand's aged care reform is being led through a new Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group, chaired by David Cunliffe, which was established in January 2026 and is tasked with reporting back to government by mid-2026. The Aged Care Association of New Zealand, led by Tracey Martin, is the primary advocacy voice for the sector. The major providers, including Ryman Healthcare, Summerset, Oceania Healthcare, Bupa NZ, Arvida, and Metlifecare, are also shaping reform through their operational and investment decisions.

Which aged care thought leaders should I follow on LinkedIn?

For regular, high-value aged care commentary on LinkedIn, follow Tom Symondson, Russell Bricknell, Rob Covino, Jennene Buckley, Professor Joseph Ibrahim, Olivier Chretien, and Patricia Sparrow. In New Zealand, Tracey Martin, Pedro Sanchez, and Suzanne Dvorak maintain visible LinkedIn presences. Rob Covino and Mirus Australia are particularly valuable for data-driven analysis of funding, occupancy, and care minute compliance.

Can I hire someone to facilitate leadership development for my aged care team?

Yes. Jonno White, Certified Working Genius Facilitator and bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out with over 10,000 copies sold globally, works with aged care leadership teams across Australia and internationally. His facilitation uses frameworks including Working Genius, DISC, and CliftonStrengths to help teams understand how they work best together. He has achieved a 93.75 percent satisfaction rating at the ASBA 2025 National Conference and works with organisations around the world. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss your team's needs.

What are the major industry awards recognising aged care leadership?

The most prominent awards include the Future of Ageing Awards (Australia), HESTA Aged Care Excellence Awards, Ageing Australia's ITAC Awards, and the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards. In New Zealand, the ACA Nurse of the Year Award and the ACA annual conference are the primary recognition platforms. These awards are valuable for identifying both established and emerging thought leaders across the sector.

Which publications and events should I follow for aged care thought leadership?

In Australia, the essential publications are Australian Ageing Agenda, Inside Ageing, The Weekly Source, and Aged Care Today from Ageing Australia. The Leaders Summit run by the DCM Group is the premier executive event. In New Zealand, the Aged Care Association's conference and Symposium 2026 event series are the primary sector platforms. Mirus Australia's monthly data releases are essential for understanding financial and operational trends.

Final Thoughts

Residential aged care in Australia and New Zealand is being reshaped by the most significant reform program either country has seen in decades. The 35 thought leaders profiled in this directory are the people driving that transformation, whether through the organisations they lead, the research they produce, the advocacy they pursue, or the innovations they champion.

What unites them is a commitment to better outcomes for older people. They disagree on many things, from funding models to regulatory approaches to workforce solutions, but that diversity of perspective is what makes the sector's thought leadership ecosystem valuable. No single individual or organisation has all the answers. The quality of aged care improves when multiple voices challenge each other, share evidence, and hold the system accountable.

For aged care leaders looking to strengthen their own leadership teams during this period of intense change, investing in facilitation and development is not a luxury. It is a strategic necessity. The organisations that navigate this reform period most successfully will be those whose leadership teams are aligned, communicating effectively, and equipped to make decisions under pressure.

Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out and trusted facilitator across Australia, UK, USA, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand, India, and Europe, works with leadership teams to build exactly that kind of alignment. Whether virtual or face to face, reach out to jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss how Jonno might support your team.

For Jonno's book on navigating difficult conversations and conflict in leadership, visit Step Up or Step Out on Amazon.

For more on working with aged care leadership teams, check out '17 Best Aged Care Leadership Offsite Facilitators in Australia' at consultclarity.org.

About the Author

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author, and leadership consultant who has worked with schools, corporates, and nonprofits across the UK, India, Australia, Canada, Mongolia, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, USA, Finland, Namibia, and more. His book Step Up or Step Out has sold over 10,000 copies globally, and his podcast The Leadership Conversations has featured 230+ episodes reaching listeners in 150+ countries. Jonno founded The 7 Questions Movement with 6,000+ participating leaders and achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating for his Working Genius masterclass at the ASBA 2025 National Conference. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Jonno works globally and regularly travels for speaking and facilitation engagements. Organisations consistently find that international travel is far more affordable than expected.

To book Jonno for your next keynote, workshop, or facilitation session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

While Jonno is referenced in this directory as a complementary leadership development resource, readers should note his authorship in the interest of full transparency.

Next Read: 17 Best Aged Care Leadership Offsite Facilitators in Australia

Finding the right facilitator for your aged care leadership team offsite can determine whether your executive retreat produces meaningful change or becomes another forgettable conference room experience. With the Aged Care Act 2024 commencing in November 2025 and bringing unprecedented accountability requirements for boards and leadership teams, the stakes for getting your offsite right have never been higher.

This directory profiles the leading facilitators who specialise in working with aged care providers, residential care operators, home care organisations, and retirement living groups across Australia. Whether you need support navigating the new regulatory landscape, aligning your leadership team around strategic priorities, or building the culture necessary to deliver person centred care at scale, these professionals bring the expertise and experience to make your offsite investment worthwhile.

Keep reading: 17 Best Aged Care Leadership Offsite Facilitators in Australia