Nicole Smith is a passionate advocate for empathetic, enabling, and relationship-centred approaches in aged care. With a nursing background and a strong commitment to improving the lives of people living with dementia, she has led initiatives that promote inclusive, supportive communities—most notably Open the Doors 2030.
In partnership with Dr Rodney Jilek, Nicole co-founded Community Home Australia (CHA) and CHAIR—an all-inclusive Indonesian resort that reimagines care and accommodation for older people.
As a Clinical First Responder with Aspen Medical, funded by the Commonwealth, Nicole worked across four states during the pandemic. This experience gave her a deep understanding of the challenges facing aged care homes and reinforced her drive for meaningful reform.
Combining clinical experience, gerontology expertise, and community-building insight, Nicole continues to influence aged care practice and policy, striving to improve quality of life for people living with dementia and those who care for them.