Posted: 5 March 2026
Effective March 2026, BioMelbourne Network appoints a new Chair and welcomes new Directors to its Board, strengthening governance and strategic leadership as Victoria’s peak body in the health technologies sector.
Professor Vera Ignjatovic AM, Honorary Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at University of Melbourne, Adjunct Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University; Founder and General Manager, Ignis Innovations, has been appointed Chair of the BioMelbourne Network Board. BioMelbourne Network warmly welcomes Professor Ignjatovic to the role and looks forward to her leadership in guiding the organisation through its next phase of growth and impact.
Professor Ignjatovic succeeds Dr Emma Ball, Chief Commercial Officer at INOVIQ, who is stepping down as Chair after serving on the Board for almost two years. During her tenure, Dr Ball provided instrumental leadership, guiding the organisation through a significant phase of development and reinforcing its leadership role across Victoria’s health technologies ecosystem.
BioMelbourne Network thanks Dr Ball for her significant contribution and looks ahead with confidence as Professor Ignjatovic builds on these strong foundations to further support members and advance Victoria’s ecosystem.
The leadership transition reflects a strong and considered succession process, ensuring continuity while creating opportunity to further advance the organisation’s strategic priorities.
Professor Ignjatovic said:
“I am honored to be the Chair of the Board for the BioMelbourne Network, an organisation that plays a critical role in Victoria’s health and medtech sector. Our commitment to the BioMelbourne Network members, enabling of collaboration across research, industry and government, driven by our strategy will frame this next exciting phase of our service to the sector.”
Dr Ball said:
“It has been an honour to serve as Chair of BioMelbourne Network, supporting our members and stakeholders. The new Chair and Board appointments strike the right balance between ensuring organisational continuity and catalysing the evolution required to support Victoria’s health technologies sector now and into the future.”
BioMelbourne Network also welcomes the appointment of new Board Directors Jemimah Brennan, Director, Communications & Corporate Affairs at Moderna, and Corrina Bertram, Victorian Government Lead Partner and National Public Sector Lead Partner, Consulting at KPMG, alongside Janet O’Meara, Chief Financial Officer, Invetech.
Jemimah Brennan brings more than 20 years’ global experience advising organisations across the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Her expertise will support the organisation’s engagement with industry, government and the broader community, helping to amplify the impact of Victoria’s health technology innovators.
Corrina Bertram is a policy and strategy consultant with 25 years’ experience supporting investment and reform in Victoria’s innovation ecosystem and public sector. Her experience working at the intersection of government and industry will strengthen cross-sector collaboration across the Network.
Janet O’Meara brings extensive senior financial leadership experience across global health technologies, professional services, building and telecommunications, together with deep expertise in financial stewardship, governance and leadership development. This expertise will further enhance BioMelbourne Network’s financial oversight and strategic governance.
Together, these Directors enhance the diversity of perspectives and skills at governance level, reinforcing BioMelbourne Network’s commitment to representing all key areas within the spectrum of Victoria’s ecosystem as the peak body.
The new Board Chair and Board Director appointments include:
- New Board Chair: Prof Vera Ignjatovic AM,Honorary Professor at the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne
- New Board Director: Jemimah Brennan, Director, Communications & Corporate Affairs, Moderna
- New Board Director: Corrina Bertram,Victorian Government Lead Partner, National Public Sector Lead Partner, Consulting, KPMG
- New Board Director: Janet O’Meara, Chief Financial Officer, Invetech
The full BioMelbourne Network Board line-up includes:
- Prof Vera Ignjatovic AM, Chair
- Dr Irene Kourtis, Treasurer
- Dr Alison Greenway, Secretary/Public Officer
- Professor Ian Meredith AM, Director
- Andrew Wear, Director
- Jemimah Brennan, Director
- Corrina Bertram,Director
- Janet O’Meara, Director
Learn more about all current members of the BioMelbourne Network Board.
View the media release here.
