Mary Steele

Mary lost her son Preston James on 10 August 2003 at two and a half years of age to sepsis. Preston had been suffering pneumonia from a simple virus but became overwhelmed with sepsis within a short time. At the time of his death sepsis was not communicated as the cause.

After Preston's death, Mary collaborated with the Mater Foundation to establish the Preston James Fund which enabled significant advancements in respiratory research and practice for children. Ten major areas of research were supported over eight years.

Through her work with the Preston James Fund, Mary began to understand more about Preston’s death through building relationships with medical staff and families. She assisted researchers by engaging with other families who lost their children to sepsis to support their investigations and research.

Today, Mary is the Paediatric Consumer Representative on the Queensland Sepsis Steering Committee and has been contributing to this committee since 2019. Mary is a member of the Queensland Paediatric Sepsis Project Executive Committee and a member of Sepsis Australia’s consumer group. Mary is also the Deputy Chair of The George Institute for Global Health’s Consumer and Community Advisory Committee.

In a professional capacity, Mary is a business communication consultant and director of STEELE Comms & Engagement. Mary is also a non-executive board member of the Princess Alexandra Research Foundation.