Jennifer Lawrence has no doubt seen it all during her 17 years at the Brightwater Care Group. She’s navigated a minefield of funding uncertainty, regulation changes and the scrutiny of a Royal Commission, not to mention the constant and critical glare her industry attracts from the public and media.
The past few years in particular – in fact, ever since she took over the role as CEO of the aged care and disability services provider – have been very challenging. Surely there is nothing left to surprise her. Apparently there is.
“Our staff,” she says. “Their empathy and commitment to the people we care for always amazes me.”
Those people number more than 3,000, all of whom are cared for by a Brightwater service, located predominantly in Perth, and offering retirement, aged and disability care.
Having worked as the General Manager of Disability, Research and Risk since joining Brightwater in 2003, Jennifer admits it was a “real gamble” for the Board to appoint a CEO from within rather than considering external professionals. But she concedes her long history with the company gave her a unique insight into what was required, particularly in a very rapid and fluid environment.
Once in the top job, she wasted no time in surrounding herself with the right executive team, including a general manager of customers to assist with moving the organisation away from being a health-based service and more towards a customer-driven service. However, Jennifer was recognised for more than her strong leadership skills. She also boasts an impressive pedigree in medical science, having held executive roles in private pathology and clinical research, with many of her findings published overseas. Her expertise has already led to the launch in 2011 of the internationally renowned Brightwater Research Centre.
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