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the founders

#otd2030

Nicole Smith
Registered Nurse COO Community Home Australia
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Maurie Voisey-Barlin
Creative Therapeutic Engagement Specialist (Australia)
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Monique Pockran
Founder Dahlia Dementia Guidance and Support (Australia)
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Rhiannon Toohey
Grants and Research Coordinator Community Home Australia
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Sonal Sapkota
Clinical Services Director Registered Nurse, Community Home Australia
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Michael Page
Registered Nurse, Clinical Educator, Dementia Care Advocate (Australia)
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Dr Rodney Jilek
Managing Director Community Home Australia
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Sagar Pokharel
Corporate Services Director Community Home Australia
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Josephine Tite
Founder and Wellbeing Consultant at Positivity Centre (Calgary, AB Canada)
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Aaron Richardson
National Operations Manager Aspen Aged Healthcare Aged Care Consultant
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Lisa Rogers-Owen
Dementia Specialist (New Zealand)
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Ravinder Singh
Web Developer (Punjab-India)
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OTD’s Living Experience Ambassador

Bobby Redman
Bobby is a retired psychologist, living with frontotemporal dementia. Since her diagnosis in 2016, she has been a passionate dementia advocate, determined to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers.
Bobby recently retired as Chair of the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee, working for and with people living with dementia around Australia. She currently sits on numerous committees, focussing on public health and disability on the Central Coast, NSW, where she lives. As a strong supporter of dementia research, she has been involved in more than 50 research projects, both as a participant and as an advisor and / or investigator.
Bobby has strong community ties and is an active Rotarian, holding the position of Rotary District Chair of the Dementia Awareness and Support Committee. In 2020, she was greatly honoured to be a NSW finalist for Senior Australian of the Year, for her community and dementia advocacy work.
Bobby is very much looking forward to her role as OTD’s Living Experience Ambassador, and working with a group of people with the same ideals, to improve the care of those living with dementia.
Our main focus is improving human rights of people living with dementia globally.
Copyright @2024. All Rights Reserved
Nicole Smith
Registered Nurse COO Community Home Australia
Nicole 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.
Maurie Voisey-Barlin
Creative Therapeutic Engagement Specialist (Australia)
Maurie is dedicated to using the arts as an informed therapeutic tool. He is a 1992 UWS Theatre Nepean graduate with a B.A. in Performance. Maurie has a special interest in working alongside the clinical & leadership teams in the delivery of his weekly, one on one Creative Therapeutic Engagement sessions in Residential Aged Care. Whilst the focus is on elders living with cognitive decline, participating elders are chosen if they’re tending to self isolate, expressing behavioural distress or experiencing depression, grief & loneliness. His work is about psychosocial health, bringing people back to social engagement & collaborating with care teams in achieving this. By harnessing his performance skills, Maurie seeks to create playful, fun, novel, sometimes challenging but always mutually meaningful relationships in sessions that are driven by purpose, inclusion & tailored heart led care.
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Maurie developed & shared “Window Therapy” & “Zoom Mates” in response to the restricted visitor precautions & is co-host of podcast “With All Due Respect”.
Monique Pockran
Founder Dahlia Dementia Guidance and Support (Australia)
Monique founded Dahlia Dementia Guidance and Support in 2023 with the goal of making positive change for those living with dementia and their loved ones. She draws on knowledge gained through almost 10 years of personal and professional experience in dementia/aged care. Monique is passionate about promoting informed, inclusive, and compassionate approaches by finding and sharing ways that prioritise holistic well-being for individuals, families, caregivers, practitioners and communities. Dahlia offers a range of services, including Dementia Doula support, consulting, education, and events.
Rhiannon Toohey
Grants and Research Coordinator Community Home Australia
Rhiannon is a passionate researcher committed to supporting people living with dementia. This passion led her to Community Home Australia (CHA), where she built meaningful connections through her work at the day centre, Club Kalina. Her frontline experience opened the door to research opportunities, including an internship with the Digital Health CRC and the University of Canberra, where she supported a project on digital storytelling for dementia support. This role introduced her to the world of qualitative research and laid the foundation for her continuing work in the Faculty of Health, contributing to outcome evaluations for the SPICE program.
Now working in a grants and research role at CHA, Rhiannon has led and contributed to a variety of initiatives, including a disability-friendly garden, accessible transport solutions, community murals, intergenerational programs, and the “Art for the Ages” high school competition promoting positive ageing. Rhiannon is now pursuing a PhD to explore how cohesive and supportive communities can be created for people living with dementia and their supporters, bringing together her lived experience, creative energy, and academic drive in one purpose led direction.
Sonal Sapkota
Clinical Services Director Registered Nurse, Community Home Australia
Sonal is a dedicated Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Public Health. Since beginning her career in 2016, she has worked across acute care and aged care settings. Sonal currently serves as the Clinical Services Director at Community Home Australia, where she leads dementia-focused care that enhances the quality of life for older adults. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based practice, holistic wellbeing, and compassionate leadership. In addition to her clinical leadership, Sonal is co-founder of Open the Doors – an innovative, inclusive movement merging revolution with resourcefulness. This global initiative brings together bright minds who are passionately committed to creating real change in the lives of older adults and their loved ones. As well as her advocacy for compassionate care, Sonal advocates for a fair and equitable work culture that is free of racism or favouritism, and one that celebrates diversity. Through her work, Sonal bridges public health vision, frontline experience, and advocacy, making her a trusted and progressive voice in community and aged care services.
Michael Page
Registered Nurse, Clinical Educator, Dementia Care Advocate (Australia)
Michael has been a Registered Nurse for 30 years, mainly in critical care in the UK, New Zealand and Australia and more recently in aged care. He is an award winning innovator, researcher and educator. Michael is a founder of Health Training Solutions, a freelance education/learning and development SME. Michael conceived and is the cohost of the “With all Due Respect” podcast with fellow #OTD2030 Founder Maurie Voisey-Barlin. As the Workforce Executive at Ananda Aged Care, Michael implemented a program of education which culminated in creation of a new model of care, a novel Wellness and Engagement Team, and opening of the doors to what were previously called memory support units.
Dr Rodney Jilek
Managing Director Community Home Australia
Rodney is a Registered Nurse with 35 years’ experience in the delivery of clinical care services to Older Australians. He holds a Diploma and Bachelor of Nursing, and postgraduate qualifications including a Master of Public Health, a PhD in Health Sciences (Gerontology) and a Doctorate in Public Health.
He has widely published and presented at national and international conferences since 2005 including Europe and Asia in areas including aged care regulation, operations, and the use of chemical and physical restraints.
Rodney has held roles in government as a Clinical Advisor, Compliance Officer and Complaints Officer in the Department of Health and Ageing and the Aged Care Complaints Scheme. He has also been employed in a number of senior executive positions within the sector as a Director of Nursing, Operations Manager, Chief Operating Officer and CEO with several large and small residential aged care providers. He is currently the Managing Director of Community Home Australia, a specialist younger onset dementia service operating in Canberra, Sydney and Bali and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra.
Sagar Pokharel
Corporate Services Director Community Home Australia
Sagar is an experienced and dedicated Corporate Services Director at Community Home Australia. He brings a unique mix of technical knowledge, strategic insight, and a strong commitment to person-centred care. With a Master’s in Information Technology and a Bachelor’s in Electronics & Communication Engineering, Sagar has over six years of experience in supporting key business functions like finance, HR, IT, compliance, governance, and infrastructure, all of which contribute to the success of the organisation. Beyond his IT expertise, he also holds an Advanced Diploma in Leadership & Management and has valuable hands-on experience in aged and dementia care. Sagar leads with a focus on collaboration and efficiency, ensuring that technology plays a role in safeguarding operations while promoting the well-being of both clients and employees.
Through his involvement with the Open The Doors global movement, Sagar works to shape digital platforms that connect carers, families, innovators, and people living with dementia. He is committed to making sure these platforms remain accessible, inclusive, and supportive of the essential conversations that are key to improving dementia and aged care.
Josephine Tite
Founder and Wellbeing Consultant at Positivity Centre (Calgary, AB Canada)
Josephine is an experienced wellbeing practitioner within the senior care, social care and dementia care sectors. Josephine is a catalyst for change, with over a decade of experience merging wellbeing science, health care and humanity together. She brings her compassionate insight and leadership to help shape a bold and integrated approach to aging – a movement toward care that is holistic, human-centered, and rooted in relationship. She has directed the efforts of her firm, Positivity Centre, for over a decade as their Director and Chief Emotional Optimizer (CEO). The Positivity Centre is an Organizational Development Consultancy, focused on helping organizations and teams enhance their well-being and effectiveness by applying the science of happiness. Their approach – they combine connection simultaneously with care and leveraging the discipline of Positive Psychology. We equip and inspire teams, residents, and family members with a Heart Based Approach™ (HBA) to fuel a sense of aliveness and wellbeing.
Aaron Richardson
National Operations Manager Aspen Aged Healthcare Aged Care Consultant
Aaron is a registered nurse with over 15 years’ experience across aged care, remote health, and clinical leadership. Holding a Bachelor of Nursing, a Graduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy and Wound Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Management, Aaron has dedicated much of his career to improving care for older Australians, particularly in rural and remote communities.
His work has taken him from the most isolated parts of the Northern Territory to emergency response programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he supported aged care facilities under pressure. But for Aaron, this work is also deeply personal.
In 2018, his aunt began showing signs of dementia while living in rural Australia. As her condition progressed during the pandemic, critical moments were missed. She was eventually placed in a locked aged care unit—a stark contrast to her free, outdoor life. Her attempts to leave led to injury and, ultimately, a quicker decline.
Aaron’s story is one of many. Through his ongoing advocacy, clinical leadership, and grounded experience, he continues to fight for better, more humane care where geography and diagnosis don’t define someone’s worth.
Lisa Rogers-Owen
Dementia Specialist (New Zealand)
Lisa is a highly experienced Registered Mental Health Nurse with a specialised focus on older adults’ mental health and dementia care. With a career spanning over 25 years, she has held a range of clinical, leadership, and educational roles across both New Zealand and the UK. Her expertise lies in dementia care strategy, model of care development, staff education, and clinical support. Lisa has led national initiatives in aged care organisations such as Oceania Healthcare and Summerset Holdings, driving improvements in dementia care delivery and design. She has also served in nurse educator roles within the Bay of Plenty DHB and has collaborated with academic institutions to support student and international nurses.
Lisa holds an MSc in Applied Behavioural Sciences and is a qualified Dementia Care Mapping trainer. Her commitment to evidence-based, person-centred care is reflected in her contributions to policy development, conference presentations, and inter-professional collaboration. Known for her leadership, educational innovation, and advocacy for high-quality dementia care, Lisa continues to influence practice standards and enhance care experiences for older people across the aged care sector
Ravinder Singh
Web Developer (Punjab-India)
Ravinder Singh is a seasoned web developer from Punjab with over 10 years of experience in PHP, Laravel, WordPress, Shopify, and front-end technologies. He holds a Master’s in Computer Applications from Punjab Technical University (2013).
He currently supports Community Home Australia, where he led the development of a custom Electronic Care Management System tailored for aged care operations. The system is mobile-friendly, cloud-hostable, and fully customizable to suit various organizational needs.
Known for a hands-on approach in developing scalable, secure, and user-friendly web platforms. Strong advocate for streamlined systems, clean coding practices, and automation to improve efficiency. Has played a key role in planning and implementing technology-driven solutions, contributing to operational improvements for clients across various sectors.