Natalie Ashley is the newly appointed Chair of the Board at Peace of Mind Foundation, bringing more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience across Australia and the United States. With extensive expertise in oncology, neuro-oncology, palliative care and health-service development, Natalie has dedicated much of her career to improving care and support for people affected by cancer.
Natalie holds a Bachelor of Nursing, a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing specialising in oncology and palliative care, and an Executive Master of Healthcare Administration.
Brain cancer care has been a longstanding and important focus throughout Natalie’s career. She established Australia’s first Paediatric Neuro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Coordinator role at the Royal Children’s Hospital and was a founding member of the Children’s Brain Tumour Association. She helped establish late-effects services at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and later worked as the Neuro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Coordinator at Barwon Health. In the United States, Natalie played a critical role in establishing the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis. Initially serving as Patient Navigator, she was instrumental in establishing the centre’s patient-navigation service and coordinated care across multiple specialties. She later became Program Manager, leading the centre’s development from concept through implementation.
As Administrative Director of Duke Palliative Care, Natalie provided executive leadership for the strategic expansion of palliative care across Duke University Health System. Natalie served for six years on the Board of Caring House, including three years on its Executive Committee.
After returning to Victoria, Natalie joined POMF because she is passionate about ensuring patients, families and caregivers receive coordinated, compassionate support throughout their experience with brain cancer. She hopes to contribute her clinical, executive and governance experience to strengthen the Foundation’s reach, sustainability and impact.