Stroke Foundation welcomes new Chief Executive Officer
Stroke Foundation is pleased to announce Dr Lisa Murphy as its new Chief Executive Officer, taking effect from April 17.
Dr Murphy is the organisation’s current Executive Director Stroke Services and Research, a position she has held since 2020.
Prior to joining Stroke Foundation, she spent four years at Kidney Health Australia, including 11 months as Interim CEO. Most recently Dr Murphy has been Stroke Foundation’s Interim CEO, following Sharon McGowan’s departure, and sits on the boards of the World Stroke Organization and the Australian Living Evidence Consortium.
Stroke Foundation President and Chair Professor Linda Kristjanson says Dr Murphy will ensure the organisation continues to represent the stroke community with strong, innovative, and thoughtful leadership.
“Working on behalf of the stroke community is a privilege and no-one at Stroke Foundation takes that lightly. Lisa embodies that thinking. She brings a very clear understanding of what is required to advance the ways we prevent, treat, and beat stroke in Australia.”
Dr Murphy brings a wealth of international knowledge to her new role with a background of significant medical and organisational leadership experience.
Her clinical experience includes a decade working as a medical doctor and anaesthetist – including being part of the emergency trauma team treating victims of the 2005 London underground bombing.
Dr Murphy and her family emigrated to Australia 13 years ago, after which she moved into the non-for-profit health sector in service delivery, research, strategy, policy, advocacy, and government relations roles. Through her leadership and strategic thinking, Kidney Health Australia developed its comprehensive 2018-2021 Strategy, and secured almost $4m in Commonwealth funding, and significantly lifted public awareness of kidney disease.
Since joining Stroke Foundation Dr Murphy has served as chair of the Australian Stroke Clinical Register’s Data Custodian Renewal Working Group and supported the development of the organisation’s current strategic plan – Stroke Strategy 2024: Empowering, Supporting, Connecting.
She has partnered on a range of applications for grants and research funding that collectively total over $17m for advancing work in the chronic condition sector. Professor Kristjanson says having such an investment in the development of Stroke Strategy 2024 in particular will ensure Dr Murphy leads her team to successfully delivering its
mission.
“We were incredibly impressed with the calibre of exceptional candidates seeking this role, and that included national and international applicants. However, it was clear that Lisa has an unparalleled understanding and passion to ensure Stroke Foundation continues to improve the landscape for those impacted by stroke in this country.”
“On behalf of the Board, I want to wish her all the best and we are looking forward to supporting her in her success.”
Dr Murphy says she is honoured to take the opportunity to lead Stroke Foundation into its next phase.
“I am excited and honoured to be leading a team of the most passionate and talented people that work tirelessly to serve our incredible stroke community into our next period of growth.”
Dr Murphy is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and the Institute of Managers and Leaders, and is completing a Master of Business Administration through Deakin University Melbourne.
Outside of her work, Dr Murphy is an avid runner, golfer, and mountain biker, and regularly takes to the tracks with her young family.
“Being active is key to a healthy life, and that’s not just to offset the risk of stroke but so many chronic conditions faced by Australians. Leading by example in keeping active is something we can all do and something I will continue to encourage.”