Stephanie Naunton appointed Brighter Lives CEO

A former Townsville University Hospital patient will now call the building her workplace after being appointed CEO of Brighter Lives. See what this means.

New Brighter Lives Foundation CEO Stephanie Naunton.

A former Townsville University Hospital patient will now call the building her workplace after being appointed CEO of Brighter Lives.

Stephanie Naunton says she’s a ‘Townsville girl’ and her resume is a curious combination.

Ms Naunton serves as a director at St Patrick’s College, used to work as a director at Selectability, was the CEO of the Townsville Multicultural Support Group and picked up another set of director gigs at Queensland Alliance for Mental Health and Stadiums Queensland.

And as of July 2024, she’s adding CEO of Brighter Lives to the list.

Ms Naunton said she wants Brighter Lives to be the health charity of choice for North Queensland.

“We’re unique in that we are the oldest health charity in the north and have done so much for the patients, staff, and community for more than three decades,” Ms Naunton said.

In 2023, Townsville Multicultural Support Group chief executive Stephanie Naunton attended the group’s new larger premises on Charters Towers Road. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“While we have always had a passion for supporting children in hospital, we want to be able to fund all parts of the health service across the continuum of care.”

Ms Naunton said North Queenslanders were “incredibly generous” and she wanted to show people the difference the charity was making in their own backyard.

“Every cent we raise or receive stays in the north,” she said.

Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair Tony Mooney, who also serves on the Brighter Lives Board, said he was delighted to welcome Ms Naunton to the role.

“From the volunteer trolley with snacks and magazines to big-ticket items like the children’s burns laser, this charity is a hugely important part of what we do,” Mr Mooney said.

Brighter Lives is celebrating it’s 35th anniversary this year.

The Brighter Lives Foundation raises money for equipment, training, research and facilities and supports hundreds of “volunteers in yellow shirts” across the NQ health region.

Originally published as Stephanie Naunton appointed Brighter Lives CEO