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Louise Baxter had a very successful career in advertising, when she hit a moment of truth, and realised she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life.
Fast forward, and Louise has now been CEO of Starlight Foundation for 16 years, proving through action (and results) that a culture of positivity doesn’t just feel good — it drives every business metric that matters.
Under her leadership, Starlight has topped the AFR’s MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES list, landed in the Top 20 Great Places to Work, and built a workplace so relentlessly positive that one team member confessed she kept waiting for the façade to drop… four years later, she’s still waiting.
Louise also knows the juggle — she’s a mum, a leader, and someone who’s managed to balance impact, ambition, and the everyday chaos of real life.
This is a conversation about values, leadership, workplace culture, and the kind of optimism that’s less about slogans and more about systems that actually work.
In this episode we discuss:
- Stories from Starlight, and their vision that everyone gets to experience a happy childhood
- Starlight’s three roles of transforming the healthcare experience, connecting kids and families and entertainment to lift their spirits
- Louise’s moment of truth, leaving advertising and joining Starlight
- The importance of a career that helps you grow and stay engaged
- Starlight’s culture of positivity and how it drives engagement and performance
- Their ‘best self’ days to top up their cup
- Positivity has improved every single business metric and driven large increases in innovation
- A suffragette her whole life, Louise doesn’t think we’ve gone far enough yet
- Trusting your gut and listening to the messages it sends you
About Louise Baxter
Louise Baxter is Chief Executive Officer, Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Louise has significant experience in senior roles in the commercial and NFP sectors and is described as an “inspiring and authentic leader”. In 2009 Louise returned to the NFP sector as Starlight’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.
Louise’s focus on exceptional experiences and relationships has seen improved metrics across all areas of Starlight. Louise is regularly asked to speak on topics such as positivity, organisational resilience, diversity, and innovation.
She is passionate about the creation of organisational purpose and believes this is key to delivering maximum impact through people. She practices positive leadership and has been successful in developing high performing teams within a culture where change is embraced, and innovation is embedded.