A visionary leader who believes in “encouraging the heart,” Rachel is CEO of Opal Healthcare. Opal Healthcare is a top tier operator in the aged care sector with 80 care communities across Australia, and a development pipeline which includes 17 care communities and 24 wellness centres. Recognising quality residential aged care as an essential service in a country with an ageing population, Opal HealthCare’s purpose is “to bring joy to those we care for.” Rachel joined Opal HealthCare after a 20 year career in hotels, including as CEO of TFE Hotels whose brands include Adina Apartment Hotels, Rendezvous, Vibe, and Collection Hotels.

With over 25 years’ international experience at executive management level in the hospitality and now healthcare sectors, Rachel has a passion for creating organisations that are customer-centric and innovative. This is backed by a driving belief that the success of businesses depends on the quality of the people they employ.

Rachel’s success to date has been recognized by various industry and business awards including being a former winner of the Australian Hotelier of the Year, Telstra National Corporate Business Woman of the Year, and being awarded the Prestigious Fellow of the International Centre for Excellence Award. Rachel is the former chair of the Australian International Hotel School Industry Advisory Council, OzHarvest, and the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School.

Rachel holds an MBA in Service Industry Management and is a member of Chief Executive Women.

Born in England and raised in South Africa, Rachel (together with her husband and three children) now calls Australia home.