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2025 Women in Leadership Awards celebration: Breaking down barriers across all leadership positions – SOLD OUT
November 12 @ 3:30 pm - 5:45 pm AEDT
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Women remain under-represented in all key decision-making roles across almost all industries in the Australian workforce, comprising only 22% of CEOs, 35% of key management positions, 34% of board members, and 18% of board chairs (Australian Government, National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality).
This trend is particularly evident in healthtech, where the representation of women decreases as seniority increases, highlighting the ongoing focus on action to create equitable opportunities. Our sector continues to push for greater representation and diversity in leadership, addressing the systemic barriers that have long held women back.
Join us for a keynote presentation by Dr Emma Ball, Global Head of Ecosystem Development, Illumina, as she explores the challenges women face in securing board positions and the steps required to overcome these barriers. By fostering greater awareness and actively promoting diversity, we can build a more inclusive healthtech industry.
BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership 2024 awardees Professor Mimi Tang, Professor Michelle McIntosh and Dr Amanda Vrselja will then take to the stage to share their own experiences of breaking through barriers and driving impactful change in their fields.
This event will bring together industry leaders, past award recipients, and the broader BioMelbourne Network community to celebrate the achievements of women in leadership roles within the healthtech industry.
By showcasing the impact of these women and highlighting the importance of recognising female leadership, we also aim to raise awareness and inspire individuals to nominate deserving candidates for the 2025 Women in Leadership Awards.
Date: Tuesday 12 November 2024
Time (AEDT):
3:30 pm: Guest arrival and registration
3:45 pm: Welcome, keynote and panel discussion
4:45 pm: Networking function
5:45 pm: Close
Venue: Allens, 37/101 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Keynote speaker: Dr Emma Ball, Global Head of Ecosystem Development, Illumina
Panelists:
Professor Mimi Tang, Director Allergy Translation and Group Leader, Allergy Immunology, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Scientific Founder and CEO, Prota Therapeutics; and Founder/Director, AllergyPal
Professor Michelle McIntosh, Director Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, Monash University; Co-Founder, Monash Quality of Medicines Initiative; and Leader, Inhaled Oxytocin Project
Dr Amanda Vrselja, Program Head, CUREator, Brandon BioCatalyst
Facilitator and host: Caroline Ryan, Partner, Allens
BioMelbourne Network host: Karen Parr, CEO, BioMelbourne Network
Registration (SOLD OUT)
In-person: Members $95; Non Members $195
Unsure if your organisation is a member? Check our member directory.
Cancellation policy:
In person registration:
Full refund given up to 7 days prior to the event
No refunds within 7 days of the event
Sponsored by the State Government of Victoria
This event is delivered in partnership with Allens.
Dr Emma Ball, Global Head of Ecosystem Development, Illumina
Emma is Head of Ecosystem Development at global genomics leader, Illumina (NASQAQ: ILMN). As a member of Illumina’s Strategy & Corporate Development leadership team she is responsible for complex strategic partnerships and Illumina for Startups. Prior to Illumina, she was at CSL (ASX:CSL) and held a number of roles including business development, corporate strategy, commercial development, R&D program management and alliance management. Emma has also worked in small biotech, both ASX-listed and private.
Emma is also Non-Executive Director at BioMelbourne Network and member of several angel investor groups. She was previously Non-Executive Director at Startup Shakeup Ltd, a member of the AusBiotech Victorian Committee and Springboard Enterprises (SBE) Australia Life Sciences Council.
She trained initially as a molecular biologist and gained her PhD in medicine from the University of Melbourne, followed by postdoctoral studies at Monash University. Emma holds an MBA from RMIT University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Wade Institute’s Venture Capital Catalyst (VCC).
Emma is also Non-Executive Director at BioMelbourne Network and member of several angel investor groups. She was previously Non-Executive Director at Startup Shakeup Ltd, a member of the AusBiotech Victorian Committee and Springboard Enterprises (SBE) Australia Life Sciences Council.
She trained initially as a molecular biologist and gained her PhD in medicine from the University of Melbourne, followed by postdoctoral studies at Monash University. Emma holds an MBA from RMIT University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Wade Institute’s Venture Capital Catalyst (VCC).
Professor Mimi Tang, Director, Allergy Translation and Group Leader, Allergy Immunology, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Scientific Founder and CEO, Prota Therapeutics; and Founder/Director, AllergyPal.
Mimi is globally recognised for her leadership in allergy and immunology. She has made exceptional contributions to the understanding and treatment of food allergies that are impacting clinical practice and research.
Mimi is a pioneer who has transformed allergy management by making remission of allergies a tangible reality. Her extensive publications have earned her recognition as one of the top 1% of highly cited researchers in immunology, globally.
Mimi’s tenacity and her passion for innovation have enabled her to fearlessly transition from academia into senior biotech commercialisation roles, culminating in the founding of Prota Therapeutics, a biotech company that is developing novel oral immunotherapy treatments for food allergy.
Through her unwavering pursuit of excellence and commitment to mentoring, Mimi continues to shape the future of allergy management and inspire the next generation of clinician-researchers and entrepreneurs.
Mimi is a pioneer who has transformed allergy management by making remission of allergies a tangible reality. Her extensive publications have earned her recognition as one of the top 1% of highly cited researchers in immunology, globally.
Mimi’s tenacity and her passion for innovation have enabled her to fearlessly transition from academia into senior biotech commercialisation roles, culminating in the founding of Prota Therapeutics, a biotech company that is developing novel oral immunotherapy treatments for food allergy.
Through her unwavering pursuit of excellence and commitment to mentoring, Mimi continues to shape the future of allergy management and inspire the next generation of clinician-researchers and entrepreneurs.
Professor Michelle McIntosh, Director, Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, Monash University; Co-Founder, Monash Quality of Medicines Initiative; and Leader, Inhaled Oxytocin Project.
Michelle is a highly driven, supportive and compassionate leader who builds inclusive and safe work environments centred around teamwork and shared ownership of outcomes.
Michelle is recognised internationally for her unwavering commitment to improving access to safe and affordable medications in low-and middle-income countries, mainly in maternal health. This is highlighted by the Inhaled Oxytocin Project, a program dedicated to developing a heat-stable, powder formulation of oxytocin, that, when inhaled, protects mothers from postpartum haemorrhage. This is a condition which causes around 70,000 deaths globally each year.
In 2017, Michelle was the driving force behind the formation of Monash University’s Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, which was established in partnership with the Victorian Government to provide bespoke research and training services for the local biotech ecosystem and stimulate collaboration.
The expansion of the Centre to Monash’s Clayton campus – funded through an $8.58 million investment from the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund – will allow the scale-up of medicine manufacturing capability, support clinical trials, and grow exports and jobs.
Michelle is recognised internationally for her unwavering commitment to improving access to safe and affordable medications in low-and middle-income countries, mainly in maternal health. This is highlighted by the Inhaled Oxytocin Project, a program dedicated to developing a heat-stable, powder formulation of oxytocin, that, when inhaled, protects mothers from postpartum haemorrhage. This is a condition which causes around 70,000 deaths globally each year.
In 2017, Michelle was the driving force behind the formation of Monash University’s Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, which was established in partnership with the Victorian Government to provide bespoke research and training services for the local biotech ecosystem and stimulate collaboration.
The expansion of the Centre to Monash’s Clayton campus – funded through an $8.58 million investment from the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund – will allow the scale-up of medicine manufacturing capability, support clinical trials, and grow exports and jobs.
Dr Amanda Vrselja, Program Head, CUREator, Brandon BioCatalyst.
Amanda has led the program’s novel design, which combines funding delivered like an investor with access to expert networks, training and hands-on support. This enables projects to reach key development milestones and enhances their capability and capacity to succeed.
In a short time, Amanda has led CUREator through a period of rapid growth, hiring and leading a highly talented team, establishing and supporting national and international investment committees, managing stakeholders from government to industry organisations, and engaging with applicants and commercialisation teams from medical research institutes, universities and start-ups across the country.
Amanda is recognised for her leadership, strong technical skills and deep knowledge of the start-up sector.
Amanda’s dedication to research translation and commercialisation, coupled with her passion for mentoring, are testament to her commitment to advancing others and the sector.
Amanda’s collaborative approach, underscored by her values-driven leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation, position her as a dynamic emerging leader in Australia’s growing life sciences industry.
In a short time, Amanda has led CUREator through a period of rapid growth, hiring and leading a highly talented team, establishing and supporting national and international investment committees, managing stakeholders from government to industry organisations, and engaging with applicants and commercialisation teams from medical research institutes, universities and start-ups across the country.
Amanda is recognised for her leadership, strong technical skills and deep knowledge of the start-up sector.
Amanda’s dedication to research translation and commercialisation, coupled with her passion for mentoring, are testament to her commitment to advancing others and the sector.
Amanda’s collaborative approach, underscored by her values-driven leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation, position her as a dynamic emerging leader in Australia’s growing life sciences industry.
Caroline Ryan, Partner, Allens
Caroline is a partner of Allens.
With the Allens Intellectual Property and Patents and Trade Mark Attorneys’ team, Caroline works with clients from research, technology and brand-based industries, ranging from associations to multinationals, and sectors that include biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
Caroline has over 15 years’ experience advising on all aspects of intellectual property law and has acted in court proceedings involving patents, trade marks and copyright infringement, misuse of confidential information, misleading and deceptive conduct and passing off.
Working closely with clients to develop strategies for the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of IP rights, Caroline has conducted and defended urgent applications for preliminary injunctions, ex parte search orders and expedited substantive proceedings.
Most recently, Caroline acted in Australia’s first preliminary injunction application and expedited patent infringement and revocation proceedings in relation to monoclonal antibody biosimilars.
Caroline has consistently been recognised as a next generation partner for Intellectual Property in Australia by Legal 500 (2017 to 2021 inclusive), Best Lawyers and as a Rising Star in Intellectual Property by Doyle’s Guide.
Caroline is a recent past Chair of the Stella Prize which champions gender equality and awards an annual prize celebrating Australian women’s writing.
With the Allens Intellectual Property and Patents and Trade Mark Attorneys’ team, Caroline works with clients from research, technology and brand-based industries, ranging from associations to multinationals, and sectors that include biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
Caroline has over 15 years’ experience advising on all aspects of intellectual property law and has acted in court proceedings involving patents, trade marks and copyright infringement, misuse of confidential information, misleading and deceptive conduct and passing off.
Working closely with clients to develop strategies for the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of IP rights, Caroline has conducted and defended urgent applications for preliminary injunctions, ex parte search orders and expedited substantive proceedings.
Most recently, Caroline acted in Australia’s first preliminary injunction application and expedited patent infringement and revocation proceedings in relation to monoclonal antibody biosimilars.
Caroline has consistently been recognised as a next generation partner for Intellectual Property in Australia by Legal 500 (2017 to 2021 inclusive), Best Lawyers and as a Rising Star in Intellectual Property by Doyle’s Guide.
Caroline is a recent past Chair of the Stella Prize which champions gender equality and awards an annual prize celebrating Australian women’s writing.
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