30 minutes with...Chris Dougherty
What is the title of your role?
Chief Executive
Where do you currently work and how long have you been working there?
As the time of this interview, I will have had eight days at Epilepsy Queensland – still a newbie.
Where else have you worked in your life?
I have worked in Aged Care, Disability, Multicultural Health and Mental Health. I have also been very lucky to have lived and worked in Ireland and Canada.
What is your personal connection to epilepsy?
When I decided I wanted this job it was because I saw a great organization doing amazing work and I wanted to bring my experience in other areas of health to help us be better. I have been overwhelmed by peoples stories from those I don’t know at all, and those that are close that I should know better. Epilepsy does not discriminate.
What do you love about your job/working in the profit for purpose space?
In my job, I get to empower the work of others. I get to get up everyday and know that almost everything I do will have an impact on someone today, tomorrow and into the future.
How do you think Epilepsy Queensland can have the biggest impact for people living with epilepsy?
Our biggest impact will come from understanding the needs of our members and those living with or impacted by epilepsy. With this information we can better reimagine the services we offer and deliver.
What are your top priorities/aims in your new role?
Right now it’s to do just that. Listen and hear what our members, people living with epilepsy, their families and all of our other stakeholders have to say so that we can tailor our strategy for the next few years to be better for them.
What do you feel would greatly improve epilepsy care currently in Queensland?
I think the development of a national plan to support the work of organisations like Epilepsy Queensland to translate and apply current research into their services in the communities they know best will take a big step in the right direction.
Where would you most like to travel?
My favourite country in the world is Denmark. I love Copenhagen.
What is your favourite food?
A difficult choice – I think it would be equal first for Indian or Thai cuisine.
Describe your most embarrassing moment?
Thankfully, this wasn’t witnessed, but it’s embarrassing enough to tell people. At home I use smart lights and can control them using voice via Google Home. So I should be able to be carrying a lot of things, yell out to Google to turn on lights and then find my way through the apartment. One day I came home with things in my hand and my bedroom door had blown closed – this happened to be the day the voice command for the lights decided to delay activating and I slammed into the door and fall backwards onto the ground. Just as I hit the ground, the lights turned on.
What is your favourite book/author?
Currently my favourite book is a book of little short stories called ‘All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten’ by Robert Fulghum.
Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met? Or who would you like to meet?
Hugh Jackman would probably be up there. It’s cheating a little because he is married to my Dad’s cousin but still!
What genres of music do you like listening to/favourite song?
I listen to a wide variety of music. I believe music heals the soul so you listen to whatever it is you need at the time! Right now, annoyingly, the song that gets me grooving is Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles. Admitting that may have just become my most embarrassing moment!
Do you have any interesting hobbies you would like to tell us about?
I have a board game addiction. Like geeky, nerdy, prize winning board games. At last count we had 167 in our collection and running out of space.