Sharon Stokell appointed as new CEO for Hear and Say, she brings more than 3 decades of experience within the not-for-profit sectors.
Hear and Say has announced the appointment of Sharon Stokell as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2025. Ms Stokell’s appointment follows a distinguished career within the organisation, including serving as Acting CEO for the past five months and Chief Operating Officer since 2023. She succeeds Greg Elphinston in the role.
Matthew Ames, Chair of the Hear and Say Board, expressed the Board’s enthusiasm for Ms Stokell’s appointment. “We are thrilled to appoint Sharon as the CEO of Hear and Say,” he said. “She brings exceptional leadership, passion, and dedication to our mission, ensuring that more individuals across Queensland have access to life-changing support.”
Ms Stokell brings over 35 years of experience in administration, operations, business development, and leadership within the healthcare and not-for-profit sectors. Her career encompasses hospitals, general practice, corporate health, and allied health, with expertise in education, psychology, mental health, and child protection. Throughout her career, she has been driven by a passion for building and supporting high-performing teams that deliver meaningful impact.
“I am incredibly honoured to take on the role of CEO at Hear and Say,” Ms Stokell said. “This organisation has a remarkable legacy of transforming lives through hearing technology and therapy, and I am deeply committed to continuing and expanding that impact. Every day, I see firsthand the dedication of our team and the profound difference our work makes in the lives of children and families. It’s both a privilege and a responsibility to lead this next chapter.”
Ms Stokell outlined her key priorities for the organisation. “My focus will be on strategic growth, particularly in strengthening and expanding our speech pathology services,” she explained. “I want to ensure we remain at the forefront of hearing and speech development while increasing access to our services across regional, rural, and remote communities in Queensland. Families shouldn’t have to navigate complex systems or travel long distances to get the support they need—my goal is to break down those barriers.” This commitment to expanding access is crucial for ensuring that all Queenslanders, regardless of location, can benefit from Hear and Say’s services.
Looking to the future, Ms Stokell expressed her vision for broadening the organisation’s reach. “I am also passionate about broadening our scope to support more individuals, with and without hearing loss,” she said. “Hearing and speech therapy play an essential role in overall communication and development, and we have the expertise to help so many more people. This is an exciting time for Hear and Say, and I look forward to working alongside our talented team, valued supporters, and the broader community to bring our vision to life.” This expansion of services reflects Hear and Say’s commitment to serving a wider community and addressing the diverse communication needs of individuals across Queensland.
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Milton writes as both an occupation and a hazard. He also works on the newsletters you see on Tuesday and Thursday with articles you should find interesting.
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