NewDirection Care founder and CEO Natasha Chadwick is on a mission to disrupt the way aged care services are provided in Australia, an industry that has operated in the same way for decades. Her entry into the aged care industry stemmed from her background in financial management. She worked as the National Executive Officer for the National Association of Nursing Homes and Private Hospitals. Natasha played a pivotal role in reforming Federal Government policy, providing advice around the provision of quality care, which was implemented in the Aged Care Act 1997.

As the founder of Innovative Business Improvement Systems Pty Ltd (IBIS) and later Director and CEO of IBIS Care Holdings Pty Ltd, Natasha led the development of alternative models of aged care facilities and retirement villages. From 2006 to 2011 she spearheaded the growth of IBIS Care Holdings to six operating aged care centres, one retirement village and two centres that were under development. In 2012, Natasha began her global search for a proven, alternative model for aged care that aligned with her vision for an inclusive community.

As part of the process she had two houses built in Tasmania in December 2014 that was a first for Australia. The success of this small-scale model led to Natasha pioneering the development of NewDirection Care’s microtown™ at Bellmere. Natasha is currently a committee member of Leading Aged Services Australia (NSW/ACT) and a past Board Member. She was a member of the Ministerial Dementia Forum Working Group and the ACFA Advisory Group. Another cause close to her heart is education and for many years she has mentored young women in their final year at the University of Sydney and Western University, as part of the LUCY mentoring program.