West Australian not-for-profit Brightwater Care Group has appointed Catherine Stoddart as CEO, replacing outgoing chief executive Jennifer Lawrence who leaves next month after close to 20 years with the organisation.
Ms Stoddart has a background in public service roles, including time as Chief Executive – Northern Territory Health, Executive Roles in WA Country Health Service and most recently as Deputy Director-General, Department of Communities in WA.
Ms Stoddart was awarded the 2011 Telstra Western Australia Business Woman of the Year for strategies that she put in place to build stronger nursing career paths, as well as the development of Aboriginal employment programmes across the Department of Health. In September 2013, she received the Australian Public Service Medal in recognition of her contribution to health and innovative global community health volunteering programmes.
She brings extensive leadership experience in complex health and care organisations, including time in the UK as Deputy Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive, at the Oxford University Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust.
Brightwater Care Group Board Chair, David Craig, said that Ms Stoddart had been selected after an extensive search for the critical appointment.
“I am excited to welcome Catherine and I am confident her appointment will support Brightwater’s continued success in the pursuit of our Mission as well as leading the organisation in this time of change,” he said.
Ms Stoddart said that she was thrilled to accept this new role: “I look forward to working with the Brightwater team to meet the challenges ahead and believe that my experience in leading complex health and human services, as well as a deep empathy for all people, will be well placed here.”
Mr Craig thanked Ms Lawrence, noting that the Board was proud of Ms Lawrence’s many achievements during her nineteen years at Brightwater, where she played a critical role in the development, growth, and success of the organisation.
