Australian Stroke Alliance eyes next phase of growth with appointment of interim CEO

Dr De Aizpurua takes the helm from founding CEO, Dr Damien Easton, who is stepping down to take up a board position at Titan Neuroscience, the Stroke Alliance’s joint venture partner for delivery of digital telestroke across the nation. The Alliance is delighted that Dr Easton will continue in a pivotal role as a strategic advisor to the Board and national team. He will remain involved in the Alliance’s work through his ongoing role as the Director of Strategy and Operations at the Melbourne Brain Centre at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. His outstanding contribution to the Alliance is gratefully acknowledged by the Board and the Executive.

Dr De Aizpurua will act as CEO of the Stroke Alliance at a time when the organisation is well-established, fully productive and poised to transform pre-hospital stroke response for Australians who experience stroke.

An internationally experienced biotech executive, Dr De Aizpurua joined the Australian Stroke Alliance in 2020 and was an integral member of the team that was awarded a $40 million Medical Research Future Fund Frontier Initiative grant.

Dr De Aizpurua serves on the Stroke Alliance’s Board and chairs both the Finance and Audit, and the Commercialisation committees. His depth of experience in a range of fields, including his long-term tenure as an executive officer in scientific services, commercial development and government relations, will enable a smooth transition to new leadership as an executive recruitment process begins.