Currently working at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch) as Director - Education Research & Aged Care. These diverse but complimentary portfolios allow for innovation and professional focus for a social care and health workforce. Ongoing relationships/partnerships with aged/disability care and universities provides an opportunity to improve the quality of care for older people through workforce initiatives.Prior to this I was the Executive Manager of Research and Development at Helping Hand Aged Care. It was an innovative area which focused on ageing both from a service development perspective as well as research. Responsible for significant partnerships locally and nationally. The growth are of my portfolio was extremely successful at achieving funding. I also led the student participation unit which placed over 800 students per year in both traditional and non traditional areas of aged care.My professional experience as a registered nurse working in diverse areas of acute and aged care has provided me with an excellent background for the research required in the ageing environment. My role at Helping Hand was about creating partnerships and coordinating activities which positively influence all areas involved in the ageing arena such as universities and corporate companies. I plan to continue this focus into the future.I am keen to ensure research is integrally linked to the practice environment and visa versa and therefore strongly advocate for industry based research units.