Episode 6, A Purposeful Edge: Leading in Uncertainty
What does it mean to lead for the greater good in an industry under constant scrutiny — and where the stakes are life and death?
In this episode of A Purposeful Edge: Leading in Uncertainty, Dr Peter Collins is joined by Linda Mellors, CEO of Regis Aged Care, to explore the powerful intersection of purpose, leadership, and care in the private sector. From pandemic pressures to workforce diversity and financial reform, Linda opens up about what it means to lead with compassion and conviction when the system itself is fragile.
Linda doesn’t shy away from the complexities. As head of one of Australia’s largest aged care providers — an ASX-listed company — she brings both commercial acumen and deep humanity to her leadership. Her philosophy?
Care is not just a service — it’s a value. And leadership means protecting the people who provide it.
“At any time — any time — if you’re not getting the support you need, you ring me. You’ve got my number.”
Her words aren’t empty. In the height of COVID-19, Linda gave frontline workers her personal mobile number — a gesture symbolic of her people-first leadership style. With 80% of her workforce being women, many from migrant backgrounds, Linda has been a long-time advocate for gender equity, safety, and dignity in the aged care workforce. She was one of the earliest champions for addressing sexual harassment in the sector and has actively supported pay equity reforms, including the landmark Work Value Case.
“It’s long been the case that care workers have not been properly recognised by the community.”
Linda also challenges the old dichotomies of public versus private. While aged care has often been split between “for-profit” and “not-for-profit” models, Linda argues that this framing limits the sector’s potential. Real progress, she says, lies in collaboration — working together across sectors to lift standards, achieve sustainability, and meet the evolving needs of older Australians.
As a board director of Ageing Australia — the peak national association for the aged care sector — she is advocating for system-wide reform: less fragmentation, more unity. From stable funding models to culturally responsive care, Linda believes leadership means tackling root causes, not just symptoms.
Her voice is urgent, but optimistic. She reminds us that aged care is not just a political issue — it’s deeply personal. And good leadership isn’t just about running an organisation — it’s about protecting dignity, championing fairness, and building systems that last.
This is leadership in action — decisive, ethical, and grounded in care.
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🎧 Tune in to the full conversation between Dr Peter Collins and Linda Mellors to explore what it takes to lead through crisis with integrity, vision, and heart — and why the future of aged care depends on leaders who place people before profits.
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