Empowering Lives with Expert-led Care and Support
We're proud to introduce the heart behind Holistic Tree.
Our mission is to provide comprehensive, high-quality care and support tailored to the needs of individuals with disabilities. Our leadership team comprises of specialists, each bringing a wealth of expertise to our holistic service offerings.
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This is just the beginning.
More of our passionate team members will be featured here soon, each bringing unique expertise and a shared commitment to whole-person care.
Stay tuned as we grow our story together

Raj Patel JP
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer — Holistic Tree Services (HTS)
Leadership Team Profile
Raj Patel JP is a compassionate visionary dedicated to transforming lives through trauma-informed, holistic, and culturally safe care. As Co-Founder and CEO of Holistic Tree Services (HTS), he leads a multidisciplinary team committed to walking beside individuals and families through every stage of life — from disability and chronic illness to end-of-life journeys.
With more than 45 years of leadership experience spanning technology, business management, and therapeutic services, Raj bridges analytical precision with deep human empathy. His work integrates evidence-based care, holistic therapies, and community wellbeing, positioning HTS as one of Australia’s emerging leaders in person-centred, integrative health.
Raj is also an author and advocate, having written *Rita – The Journey Travelled* and the eBook *Rita’s Journey: A Caregiver’s Reflection on Life, Love, and Letting Go*, chronicling his personal experience caring for his late wife, Rita Patel, who lived with an aggressive Grade 4 brain tumour (Glioblastoma Multiforme). His heartfelt writings offer insight into love, loss, and the strength found in compassion and service.
Under Raj’s guidance, HTS continues to evolve as a values-driven not-for-profit, delivering Navigator Services, NDIS support, and end-of-life care that restore dignity, hope, and empowerment.
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Professional Highlights
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Co-Founder & CEO – Holistic Tree Services (HTS): Leading national delivery of integrated, trauma-informed care through NDIS, disability, palliative, and wellbeing programs.
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Founder – Rita’s Foundation: Established to bring hope and dignity to people living with chronic illness, uniting holistic and allopathic approaches.
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Principal Consultant – Synergized Solutions Pty Ltd: Providing advisory, mentoring, and business-transformation consulting for SMEs and community organisations.
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Leadership Roles – Uniting | Zest Care Australia | Eternal Disability Care: Senior contributions in program design, service delivery, and workforce development.
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Former ICT & Business Director – Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA NSW): Pioneered organisational reform, quality management, and technology innovation in large-scale government operations.
Education & Credentials
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Advanced Diploma – Holistic Counselling & Meditation Therapy (Mind Body Education)
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Diploma – Counselling in Health Sector (University of Sydney)
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Diploma – Business Management (Australian Institute of Management)
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Chartered Engineer & Member – BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT (UK)
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BSc, Biochemistry & Chemistry - Salford University (UK)
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Certified Member – International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT)
Core Values
Compassion | Dignity | Service | Integrity | Hope

Joe Hopkins
Director — Holistic Tree Services (HTS)
Leadership Team Profile
Joe Hopkins is a dynamic and compassionate leader who bridges technical expertise with trauma-informed, holistic care. As a Director at Holistic Tree Services (HTS), Joe plays a key role in driving operational excellence, partnership development, and service delivery across NDIS, Aged Care, Veterans Affairs, Workers Compensation, and private care sectors.
With over a decade of experience as a licensed electrician and founder of Empire Electrical Contractors, Joe brings a grounded, practical perspective to his leadership. His work focuses on creating safe, accessible, and empowering environments — integrating home modifications, energy efficiency, and wellbeing solutions that enhance quality of life.
At HTS, Joe champions a model of care that connects the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of healing. Through his commitment to person-centred service, he ensures every individual feels supported, valued, and empowered on their journey toward wellness.
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Professional Highlights
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Director – Holistic Tree Services (HTS): Leading national delivery of trauma-informed and holistic care services.
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Director – AULV (All Love): Supporting the creation of integrative sanctuaries and spiritual healing programs that connect science and soul.
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Founder & Director – Empire Electrical Contractors: Managing a 24/7 team delivering solar, energy, and safety solutions with integrity and innovation.
Qualifications
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Licensed Electrician – TAFE NSW (2013)
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Specialist in home modifications, solar energy systems, and data/communications infrastructure.
Core Values
Integrity | Compassion | Connection | Service | Sustainability

Seema Dar (Hukku)
Senior Collaborator & Facilitator — Holistic Tree Services (HTS)
Leadership Team Profile
Seema Dar (Hukku) is a compassionate practitioner and facilitator dedicated to enhancing wellbeing, resilience, and community connection. As Senior Collaborator and Facilitator at Holistic Tree Services (HTS), Seema plays an integral role in delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive programs that empower individuals and families to heal and thrive.
With more than 15 years of experience spanning counselling, community development, and education, Seema brings a deep understanding of human connection and the emotional, social, and cultural factors that shape wellbeing. Her practice blends empathy and evidence-based approaches, helping clients build confidence, self-awareness, and meaningful community ties.
Seema’s leadership and collaborative style contribute to HTS’s mission of providing holistic, person-centred care that bridges mind, body, and spirit.
Professional Highlights
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Senior Collaborator & Facilitator – Holistic Tree Services (HTS): Leads wellbeing and psychosocial programs supporting mental health, empowerment, and cultural inclusion across diverse communities.
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Project Officer – Services for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS): Facilitated Families in Cultural Transition (FICT) groups for newly arrived migrants and refugees, promoting resilience and settlement success.
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Social Worker – SydWest Multicultural Services: Delivered case management and community development programs for humanitarian entrants and vulnerable families.
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Yoga Instructor – Blacktown Women’s and Girls Health Centre & Learning in the Hills: Conducted mind–body wellbeing sessions integrating yoga, mindfulness, and community support.
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Educator – India & UAE: Early career as a teacher and lecturer, nurturing learning, communication, and social awareness.
Education & Qualifications
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Master of Social Science (Counselling Studies) – University of Western Sydney, Australia
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Bachelor of Education (English & Geography) – Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow, India
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Postgraduate Studies in History – Lucknow University, India
Languages
English | Hindi | Urdu
Core Values
Compassion | Inclusion | Empowerment | Respect | Connection

Jay Patel
Co-Founder & Executive Board Member — Holistic Tree Services (HTS)
Leadership Team Profile
Jay Patel is a forward-thinking leader at the intersection of health, innovation, and technology, driven by a vision to humanise modern healthcare through compassion, collaboration, and conscious design. As Co-Founder and Executive Board Member of Holistic Tree Services (HTS), Jay helps guide the organisation’s strategy, partnerships, and governance — aligning digital transformation with person-centred, trauma-informed care.
With a multidisciplinary background spanning law, business strategy, and technology innovation, Jay brings over 15 years of leadership experience across sectors including healthcare, AI, legal services, and regenerative systems. His expertise lies in strategic transformation, ethical governance, and human-centred innovation, enabling organisations to create systems that are both scalable and deeply humane.
Drawing inspiration from his late mother, Rita Patel, Jay co-founded HTS to bridge the gap between care and consciousness — integrating modern science, digital tools, and holistic wellbeing practices to create a new model of support for individuals and communities.
Professional Highlights
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Co-Founder & Executive Board Member – Holistic Tree Services (HTS): Leading strategic governance, innovation, and the integration of trauma-informed and holistic care frameworks.
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Co-Founder & Co-CEO – AULV (All Love): Developing integrative healing and wellness sanctuaries that unite neuroscience, plant-based medicine, and spiritual care.
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Managing Director – KCI Strategy: Leading transformation, culture, and impact consulting across AI, regenerative systems, and health innovation sectors.
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Senior Associate – Solve Legal: Providing strategic legal consulting, governance advice, and regulatory insights for purpose-driven enterprises.
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Consultant – Grosvenor Performance Group: Delivered transformation strategy and operations analysis for public and private sector clients.
Education & Credentials
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Bachelor of Business Administration / Bachelor of Laws (BBA/LLB) – Macquarie University
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Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice – Australian National University
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Legal Practice Management Course – The College of Law
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Artificial Intelligence & Computer Science Studies – HarvardX, Deeplearning.AI, Moralis Academy
Core Values
Collaboration | Compassion | Conscious Leadership | Innovation | Integrity

Clayton Smith
Executive Director & Board Member— Holistic Tree Services (HTS)
Clayton Smith is a compassionate leader and visionary dedicated to advancing holistic health, conscious leadership, and community wellbeing. As Executive Director and Board Member at Holistictree Services (HTS), Clayton guides the organisation’s mission to provide integrative, trauma-informed support to individuals and families navigating complex health and life challenges.
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With over 20 years of experience spanning healthcare, non-profit development, finance, and entrepreneurship, Clayton brings a unique blend of strategic insight, compassion, and lived leadership. At HTS, he is leading the organisation’s evolution from a social enterprise to a registered not-for-profit — expanding its Navigator Services to enhance informed choice, control, and wellbeing outcomes for clients across veterans’ services, aged care, NDIS, and end-of-life support.
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His role centres on building multidisciplinary teams, nurturing partnerships, and shaping sustainable systems that embody the HTS ethos — holistic, culturally safe, and human-centred care. Clayton’s commitment to faith, family, and purpose underpins every aspect of his leadership, reflecting a deep belief in healing that honours both science and spirit.
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Professional Background
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Executive Director & Board Member – Holistictree Services (HTS)
Leading governance, growth, and program innovation to expand trauma-informed, integrated care services. -
Co-Founder & CEO – AULV (All Love)
Overseeing patient advocacy and wellness programs integrating plant-based medicine, neuroscience, and spiritual healing. -
Founder – MAC Ventures
Developed community investment partnerships to fund affordable housing and impact-driven start-ups. -
Financial Advisor – Pacific Capital Resource Group
Guided clients across wealth, investment, and legacy planning with a focus on ethical stewardship.
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Education
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Bachelor of Science (Entrepreneurship) – Oregon State University
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International Business & Finance – Copenhagen Business School
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Financial Planning & Services – The American College
Core Values
Faith | Compassion | Integrity | Service | Collaboration
“Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know.”
—Pema Chodron


