S2E25- Louise Baxter Shines Brightly- CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation

2020-10-22

What better cause to commit to than seriously ill children? Well, Louise Baxter is a gun leader and the inspiring CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation. She has over 30 years' experience in marketing, sales and communication before finding her purpose in the not for profit space. Early in her career, Louise was a member of the Sydney board of Leo Burnett Connaghan and May Advertising, NFPOnline Pty Ltd (the holding company for Livewire) and was founding partner of Brave New World Advertising. As well as working in sports m...

Early in her career, Louise was a member of the Sydney board of Leo Burnett Connaghan and May Advertising, NFPOnline Pty Ltd (the holding company for Livewire) and was founding partner of Brave New World Advertising. As well as working in sports marketing.

Louise has 14 years' experience at Starlight and has been Chief Executive since June 2009.

Since Louise returned as CEO Starlight has been awarded AON Hewitt Best Employer accreditation, is in the top 20 in Australia's Great Places to Work and #1 most reputable charity brand supporting children & young people. In November 2015 Louise was acknowledged by CEO Magazine as Australia's NFP Executive of the Year.

And most recently AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies in Aus & NZ list has just been announced and............ Starlight is #1!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. The list recognises the most innovative organisations in Australia and New Zealand, as judged by the expert panel assembled by The Australian Financial Review and Inventium.

How can (and will) you shine more brightly?

 Donate to Starlight here . ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Intelligence Summary (INTSUM)

03:15 Louise’s personal and professional background

09:00 Louise gets hooked at Starlight (first time around!)- as Head of Partnerships

10:30 Louise leaves for a new challenge…. albeit temporarily

13:45 What is on Louise’s internal CV? …. What people can’t see or read.

17:20 About teamwork…. And playing to team member’s strengths.

19:00 Who Louise employs ….

20:12 On authenticity…. and how it exists on a continuum.

22:15 Is it OK as a leader to not have all the answers (vulnerability).

24:40 Louise could lead any ASX200 Company- so why Starlight?

26:50 Starlight’s positive experiences to kids- an overview

28:22 Replacing pain, fear and stress .. with …fun, laughter and joy

30:00 Starlight pivots through COVID-19…. what Starlight learned.

32:15 On Starlight’s own Captains….. Captain Starlight!

35:10 Kids name the Captains ….. What militaries could learn from that!

35:40 Programs for teens and beyond and wish-granting.

39:30 Art skills for life

42:20 Case Study- Nathan Cavaleri . Child prodigy and musical superstar (and Starlight Kid). jammed with Mark Knopfler, toured with BB King, did the US talk show circuit and was a regular on Hey Hey It's Saturday. Nathan on Australian Story is here

46:30 Starlight 5 Chefs Dinner….. fun but meaningful and deep. The landscape of fundraising.

48:45 The Starlight bike ride…. and its growth. And wider fun and silliness.

51:10 What’s next……

53:20 How to find out more on Starlight.

54:40 If Louise had the ears of the world…. What would be her message to the world?

External Links

Starlight Children’s Foundation: https://starlight.org.au//

Starlight’s Program overview is here

Louise’s profile on LinkedIn is here.

Music

Thanks to all our artists who allow us use of their music. In this episode: