Posted: 11 February 2025
Making 10 years of celebrating leadership, the BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership Awards recognise the contribution of three inspiring women advancing global healthcare innovation.
BioMelbourne Network proudly announces the recipients of its prestigious 2025 Women in Leadership Awards, honouring three extraordinary women whose leadership and innovation have made significant contributions to the Australian life sciences sector.
“Marking the 10th year of the Women in Leadership Awards, this year’s awardees’ achievements reflect the diversity of expertise needed to bring biotechnologies to patients – from securing capital to driving global collaboration and advancing manufacturing excellence,” said Karen Parr, CEO of BioMelbourne Network.
Since 2015 the awards celebrate the achievements of women, and individuals identifying as women, driving progress and equity in healthtech while championing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the industry.
The 2025 honourees demonstrate the often life-changing power of leadership, not only across the Australian life sciences sector but also on a global scale:
- Distinguished Leadership Award, recognising outstanding contributions by senior executive leaders with a career history of contributions for 10+ years:
- Dr Jane Oppenheim, Scientific and Operations Director at Ego Pharmaceuticals, for her dedicated leadership and outstanding contributions to the sector as well as building an Australian family-owned pharmaceutical company into a globally competitive innovator.
- Inspiring Leadership Award, recognising leaders playing an inspiring and pivotal role leading a project, or collaborative initiative within the last five to 10 years:
- Sally Kinrade, Vice President at Medicines Development for Global Health (MDGH), for profoundly impacting Australian pharmaceutical development, medicine access and patients’ health outcomes, particularly in underserved, underprivileged and remote communities worldwide.
- Emerging Leadership Award, recognising leaders who have stepped onto a new career path during the last two to four years, and who are stars in the industry:
- Dr Anne-Laure Puaux, Head of Business Development at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and the CEO of WEHI Ventures, the investment company established by WEHI to manage its new strategic investment fund “66ten”.
Karen Parr, CEO of BioMelbourne Network, said: “Diversity and inclusion are essential drivers of innovation and progress in the life sciences sector. These awards highlight not only the achievements of exceptional women but also the importance of fostering an industry culture where everyone can contribute and thrive.”
The ceremony, held at the Investment Centre Victoria on International Women and Girls in Science Day, brought together 170+ attendees in person and online, including prominent industry leaders and government representatives.
Sponsored by the Victorian State Government (Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Region), the event highlighted the state’s commitment to fostering diversity, driving innovation, and securing the future of Victoria’s thriving life sciences sector.
Recognising global and local excellence
This year’s awardees reflect the depth of talent and vision within Victoria’s healthtech sector, which generated over $3 billion in exports in 2021 and supports 51,500+ jobs, plus 20,000 research sector jobs. With women still underrepresented in senior roles across STEM, these awards shine a spotlight on those paving the way for greater equity and innovation.
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Media Contact:
Claudia Loeber-Raab | Communications Manager
Email: cloeber-raab@biomelbourne.org | Mob 0425 785 143
About BioMelbourne Network
BioMelbourne Network is Victoria’s leading industry association for organisations engaged in biotechnology, medical technology, and health innovation since 2001. BioMelbourne
Network has more than 200 companies and 6,000 members and focuses on building an engaged and collaborative life sciences community through data and insights, promotes and advocates for sector growth, and provides members with opportunities to accelerate in research, innovation, commercialisation and manufacturing.
Quotes from the Awardees who are available for interviews as is CEO Karen Parr:
- Dr Jane Oppenheim (Distinguished Leadership Awardee): “I am delighted that BioMelbourne Network has recognised my 30+ years as part of a dedicated team that
has developed Ego Pharmaceuticals into an innovative and globally competitive pharmaceutical company. This recognition is a testament to the professionalism, creativity, and shared commitment for the people that I have worked alongside throughout this journey, dedicated to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.” - Sally Kinrade (Inspiring Leadership Awardee): “I am truly delighted to be receiving this award and appreciative of BioMelbourne Network’s recognition of my career contributions. Achieving big things in pharmaceutical development and medicines access is not a solo effort. A strong cohesive team with passion, skill and clarity of purpose cannot be overestimated. The Medicines Development for Global Health team is an amazing exemplar I am privileged to be part of. We have achieved many firsts. I’m sure we will continue to make an indelible mark on global health.”
- Dr Anne-Laure Puaux (Emerging Leadership Awardee): “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from BioMelbourne Network. Forging partnerships and collaborations is at the heart of what I do to advance the sector I am so passionate about, and this award is a celebration of the collective efforts from everyone involved. The healthcare, medical research, and biotech fields are incredibly complex, and no single individual or organisation can make a real difference alone. Only when we collaborate, we combine our skills and create something greater and more impactful than the sum of our parts. This award inspires me to continue my work with even greater commitment.”
About the BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership Awards
Marking their 10th year, the BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of women, and everyone identifying as a woman, at different career stages, driving progress and shaping the future of the life sciences sector in Victoria and beyond. Spanning pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology, digital health, academia and research, healthcare, R&D and industry services, the awards showcase the breadth and depth of talent and innovation within the life sciences ecosystem.
View the 2025 Women in Leadership Award Ceremony Booklet.
The 2025 Award Ceremony is kindly sponsored by State Government of Victoria
