Claire Johnston, MBA, AAICD, has had an exceptional career marked by a progression through diverse sectors, each contributing to her reputation as a dynamic and people-focused leader. Since 2025, she has excelled as group general manager at Stormwater360 in Auckland, New Zealand, where she leads the culture, strategy and operations for a group of six subsidiary companies. Her responsibilities include working closely with the board and directors, overseeing operations, supply chain logistics, people and culture, human resources, finance and business administration.
In her present position, Ms. Johnston has played an integral part in guiding the company through a period of substantial growth and innovation. Stormwater360, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, is recognized for its commitment to environmental technology and civil engineering solutions that address stormwater runoff and protect waterways from harmful pollutants. The organization’s founders remain actively involved as senior leaders, contributing to its legacy of adaptability and environmental stewardship.
Prior to joining Stormwater360, Ms. Johnston found success as the director of operations at Protegas Australia in Brisbane from 2022 to 2024. During this time, she managed operational leadership during a time of expansion and transformation within the organization. Her tenure was preceded by her post as principal infrastructure advisor with Mott MacDonald in Brisbane from 2021 to 2022, where she provided strategic guidance on major infrastructure projects.
From 2020 to 2021, Ms. Johnston was active as cardiac services manager and chief operating officer at Mater Public-Private Hospital under Mater Misericordiae Ltd in Brisbane. She led teams in high-acuity environments, drawing on her extensive clinical background to ensure effective service delivery in cardiology specialties. Between 2018 and 2020, she contributed as transformations – operations clinical lead at UnitingCare Queensland, driving operational improvements across clinical services.
A significant milestone in Ms. Johnston’s career was her decade-long tenure as managing director and training facilitator at Fulcrum Suspensions in Greater Brisbane from 2005 to 2015. During this period, she co-founded the company and developed pre-deployment training programs for the Australian Defence Force. One of her most memorable achievements occurred when a doctor who had completed her training expressed profound gratitude for the preparation provided before deployment — an experience that stands out as a highlight of her professional journey.
Ms. Johnston’s foundation in leadership was established during her military service with the Australian Defence Force from 1996 to 2007, serving as acting officer commanding clinical company, officer-in-charge of the training cell and advanced medical assistant during this time. Her eleven years in the military are a source of immense pride, particularly her recognition with the Soldier’s Medallion for Exemplary Service and the Most Outstanding Soldier Trophy in 1998. These honors reflect her dedication and excellence during her time in uniform.
Throughout her career, Ms. Johnston has been featured in prominent publications such as “Essential Health Workers Meeting Challenges of Today With a UQ MBA” from MBA News and “Mixing Medicine and Business – Why Healthcare Professionals are Pursuing MBAs” from The University of Queensland. She is an affiliate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Limited since 2022 and holds the AAICD designation.
What distinguishes Ms. Johnston is how her varied experiences from defense to healthcare to engineering have shaped her approach to leadership. She believes that while operational efficiency is important, true organizational success is rooted in prioritizing people above all else. Her leadership style emphasizes empathy, authenticity and fostering supportive environments where team members can excel.
To support her professional ambitions, Ms. Johnston pursued an education at Northern Territory University, now known as Charles Darwin University, from which she earned a Bachelor of Nursing in registered nursing in 2001. She ultimately concluded her formal academic efforts at The University of Queensland in 2022, graduating with a Master of Business Administration in business administration and management. Ms. Johnston also obtained a graduate certificate in management from the Australian Institute of Business, certification as a registered nurse through Ahpra and a certificate IV in Training and Assessment from TAFE Queensland.
Ms. Johnston’s resilience — honed through challenging deployments with the Australian Defence Force — remains central to her professional philosophy. She credits much of her success to this quality as well as to mentorship received from an influential executive who encouraged her to explore new industries and think creatively about career opportunities. Supporting colleagues’ growth is both an honor and pleasure for Ms. Johnston, she is dedicated to mentoring younger team members while maintaining an authentic presence across all professional settings.
Beyond her executive duties, Ms. Johnston contributes civically as board secretary for both Stormwater360 and Enviropod, reflecting her commitment to governance within environmentally focused organizations. She volunteers with Orange Sky Australia, further demonstrating her dedication to community service. She also offered her services and resources as a contributor at the Queensland Interventional Nurses Council Education Day between 2018 and 2020. These efforts underscore her ongoing engagement with education and knowledge-sharing within healthcare.
Looking toward the future, Ms. Johnston aims to lead teams that embody a growth mindset within organizations poised for sustainable expansion. Her focus remains on implementing effective leadership strategies that prioritize people while guiding companies along successful trajectories for years to come. Throughout every stage of her journey — whether serving in uniform or leading complex organizations — Ms. Johnston’s hallmark continues to be her unwavering commitment to supporting those around her while fostering environments where individuals can thrive together toward shared goals.