We see possibility

At Holdsworth we see the world as it could be – where the community comes together to make things better for everyone. And it’s our people who rally to transform that vision into meaningful community outcomes.

We value independence, trust, kindness and openness. We spend our days making sure our participants can get the most out of theirs.

Can you make an impact?

Our team

Board of Directors

Karn Nelson BA (UCL) YMP (INSEAD)

Co-Chair

Appointed in 2017, Karn is Executive GM, Strategic Policy and Research at aged care provider, the Whiddon Group. Karn has wide experience as a brand strategist working in Australia and internationally with strategic marketing and creative services agencies. She is passionate about arts and health and about enabling older people to stay connected to the things that matter to them and to continue to participate, contribute and be valued in society. She is a member of the Social Impact Committee.

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Karn Nelson <span>BA (UCL) YMP (INSEAD)</span>

Karn Nelson BA (UCL) YMP (INSEAD)

Co-Chair

Andy Hobbs LLB (University of Reading), Accounting Studies (ACCA)

Co-Chair

Appointed in 2018. Andy is Director, Commercial Policy at NSW Treasury. Andy has more than twelve years of experience in the public sector – working for the UK national government in finance until 2016 and in the NSW Treasury since his move to Australia. Andy has considerable expertise in financial policy and strategy as well as a solid commitment to volunteering for grassroots community organisations, particularly in the mental health field.

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Andy Hobbs <span>LLB (University of Reading), Accounting Studies (ACCA)</span>

Andy Hobbs LLB (University of Reading), Accounting Studies (ACCA)

Co-Chair

Sarah Swan BA(Media Comm) (USYD), JD(USYD)

Sarah joined Holdsworth’s Board of Directors in 2022. Sarah has worked in Family Law for the past five years, and is a strong advocate against all forms of family violence and abuse against all genders and age groups. Sarah is a Woollahra Councillor, offering a unique connection to Council, that supports the history and association between the two organisations to continue to meet the needs of the local community. Sarah also teaches yoga to her ‘Yoldie’ students, which she hopes to bring to Holdsworth too!

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Sarah Swan <span> BA(Media Comm) (USYD), JD(USYD) </span>

Sarah Swan BA(Media Comm) (USYD), JD(USYD)

Emma Hunt BA Econ, (USyd), MIRel (USyd)

Appointed in 2019, Emma is a senior executive and entrepreneurial leader with more than twenty years of strategy expertise across the Financial services, Telecommunications and Retail sectors. Emma not only brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working in multinational and ASX listed businesses, consistently focusing on technology creating new business models, she is also a member of our Playgroup community. Emma is also a member of the Audit &amp; Risk Committee.

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Emma Hunt <span>BA Econ, (USyd), MIRel (USyd)</span>

Emma Hunt BA Econ, (USyd), MIRel (USyd)

Dr Allan Shell MB BS (UNSW), Grad Dip Public Health (UNSW)

For over 40 years Allan has lived and worked in our community, as a local GP in Rose Bay, and as a Director member of the Wolper Jewish Hospital in Woollahra. He is currently an Adjunct Senior Lecturer, in the Faculty of Medicine at UNSW, and over the past 10 years has been a lead facilitator for a national program in Dementia and Aged Care education.

More recently he has joined the Woollahra Council’s sponsored Dementia Alliance committee, to assist in the promotion of a more Dementia Friendly Community; and, has also been involved with Holdsworth Community and the Council in a number of dementia education and other community activities.

Newly appointed as a Director, he brings with him more than 20 years of NFP Public Company experience, having served and held a number of honorary officer positions on the Wolper’s Board of Management.

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Dr Allan Shell <span>MB BS (UNSW), Grad Dip Public Health (UNSW)</span>

Dr Allan Shell MB BS (UNSW), Grad Dip Public Health (UNSW)

Anna Ashenden BA, Psychology, MICD, Grad Dip Social Impact

Appointed in 2022, Anna has over 15 years’ experience in the for purpose sector, with deep passion for supporting people and communities to thrive. Currently a Principal in the Consulting team at Social Ventures Australia, her background includes extensive experience with grassroots, national and international NGOs, governments, and the United Nations. She is a skilled facilitator and community engagement professional and has worked closely with communities on complex issues including mental health, housing and homelessness, employment, and social isolation.

Anna is a Member of the AICD, and former Chair of the NSW SIMNA branch. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology (First Class Honours), a Master of International and Community Development, and a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact, as well as tertiary qualifications in participatory project management.

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Anna Ashenden <span>BA, Psychology, MICD, Grad Dip Social Impact</span>

Anna Ashenden BA, Psychology, MICD, Grad Dip Social Impact

Jennifer Herrera BSc. LLB (AU), MBA (USA)

Appointed in 2022, Jennifer has 30+ years’ experience in the corporate sector in a wide variety of roles. Jennifer worked as a corporate lawyer in both Australia and the UK before moving to the US in 1990 to complete her MBA and work for National Basketball Association in a wide range of areas – marketing, sponsorship, and consumer products before returning to Australia in 2003. Since returning, Jennifer has worked in a variety of loyalty marketing , payments and product development roles. Jennifer currently works for the Commonwealth Bank overseeing growth for their new in-app shopping experience. In 2018-19 Jennifer took a career break to care for her mother with Alzheimer’s and is grateful for the care and services provided by Holdsworth and is committed in supporting the organisation to grow in the future.

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Jennifer Herrera <span>BSc. LLB (AU), MBA (USA)</span>

Jennifer Herrera BSc. LLB (AU), MBA (USA)

Management Team

Lyn Ainsworth

Interim CEO

Appointed in 2023, Lyn has worked for more than 16 years in executive leadership roles in the not-for-profit disability sector focusing on building culture, leading change and innovation initiatives including nine years at House with No Steps as Head of Strategy, Excellence and Innovation. Lyn is a lawyer by trade and also has significant human resource management expertise. Lyn was previously Chair of the Board.

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Lyn Ainsworth

Lyn Ainsworth

Interim CEO

Rob Lancuba

Chief Financial Officer

Rob joined Holdsworth in 2022 with over 20 years of experience across the FMCG, Advertising &amp; Marketing, Retail, Services, and Aged &amp; Disability sectors. Rob has managed organisations through business turnaround and transformation, due diligence, acquisition, and IPO. He is an entrepreneurial, strategically oriented CFO dedicated to growing &amp; scaling companies and organisations.

Rob enjoys partnering with the CEO, the Leadership Team and the wider business to inspire people to think differently, nurture them, challenge them, understand their fears, and give them the confidence to step forward and be superstars! His passion is helping Holdsworth deliver on its commitments to the Community and Clients as well as plan for the future through the delivery of value-added financial insights and strategy. He believes being a CFO is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.

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Rob Lancuba

Rob Lancuba

Chief Financial Officer

Brooke Norrie

Head of Operations

Brooke joined Holdsworth in 2022 with over 13 years of experience in the community sector and a strong background in leadership, business management, business development, case management, project management and working with Government funding within the aged care and disability sectors.

Lead by her values and ethical approach, Brooke enjoys working closely with the community and Holdsworth. Brooke has a degree in the Social Sciences with training and qualifications in dementia, home care budgets, quality auditing and mental health first aid. Her passion for working with the community is demonstrated through experience leading teams and advocating for our older generation to ensure they have awareness of what is available to them, connecting them to services and support to continue living safely and independently at home.

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Brooke Norrie

Brooke Norrie

Head of Operations

Ethan Bidner

Head of Community Care

Ethan joined Holdsworth in 2022, following a varied career in Residential Aged Care across NSW, QLD and the ACT. Ethan has worked in a number of frontline roles, as well as in supervisory and management capacities.

Ethan’s interest in the Aged Care Quality Standards, including successful governance and compliance, and his background as a Registered Nurse, with a focus on aged care and dementia, has led him to the business management and leadership roles he enjoys today. Further, Ethan has an interest in Diversity and Inclusion, and is currently the Chair of Holdsworth Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Ethan is passionate about helping older Australians to live their best lives, whilst maximising their choice and independence.

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Ethan Bidner

Ethan Bidner

Head of Community Care