Women in Leadership Awards

Shining a light on women in the health industry

The BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership Awards were launched in 2015 to recognise and champion women, at different stages of their careers, who have made outstanding contributions to advancing the biotechnology, medical technology and pharmaceutical sector, and inspire more women to pursue leadership roles.

The awards recognise women who work in or support the health sector – including biotechnology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals and other health innovation areas – as executives, management, R&D practitioners, suppliers, service providers and other roles engaged with the sector.

For more information about past recipients, see our Women in Leadership Awards Honour Roll.

Find out more about past years’ awards: 2016 awards | 2017 awards | 2018 awards | 2019 awards | 2020 awards

Nominations have now closed for the 2021 Awards.

Visit the 2021 Women in Leadership Awards page for more information and to submit your nomination online. 

Purpose of the awards

The BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership Awards are designed to celebrate, honour and profile successful women in the health industry sector: to celebrate women who exhibit leadership in their fields of expertise and have made outstanding contributions to advancing the industry; to honour women who serve as role models and mentors to others and have made outstanding contributions to supporting the industry; and to profile the women who take strategic risks, tenaciously pursue goals and have made outstanding contributions to innovation in the industry.

Award categories

Awards are made in three categories, recognising women in different types of leadership roles and at different stages of their careers.

For 2021, the criteria for each category remain the same, but the titles of the BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership Awards have been slightly revised to allow easier distinction. The Award categories are: 

Emerging Leadership Award – Mover & Shaker 

This award celebrates an inspiring leader who:

• has taken on a career challenge, career move or career change within the last 2-4 years that has high potential for industry impact 
• exhibits leadership qualities such as strategic risk-taking, embracing innovation, entrepreneurship and an appetite for driving change 
• is a rising star, who, regardless of age, is seen as a mover and shaker with high potential for future success in the industry  

Inspiring Leadership Award – Making It Happen  

This award celebrates an inspiring leader who:

• has played a pivotal leadership role in delivering a project, partnership, or collaborative initiative within the last 5 to 10 years 
• through this project or initiative has delivered meaningful outcomes and positive change in the health industry  
• has demonstrated valuable leadership skills such as collaboration, communication, team building, transformation, innovation, change management, dedication and passion for innovation that has impact

Distinguished Leadership Award – Impact For Industry  

This award celebrates an inspiring leader who:

• has held a senior position of leadership (C-level executive, GM, Board Director, Chair)  
• has significant experience within the health industry sector, 10-15+ years 
• has shown leadership and vision resulting in meaningful industry impact 
• demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities, such as integrity and initiative, mentoring and giving back, dedication and determination, resilience and risk taking, and passion for innovation that has impact.  

Nominations and eligibility

Nominees must work in or support the health sector and meet the appropriate criteria for each category. We use an inclusive definition of ‘women’, including trans women, genderqueer and non-binary people. Both nominators and nominees must be from organisations that are currently financial members of BioMelbourne Network.

To more information and to submit your nomination for 2021, please visit the 2021 Women in Leadership Awards page.

For additional information, please see our FAQs.