Posted: 17 September 2025
BioMelbourne Network, the peak industry body for Victoria’s health technologies sector, today announced the launch of the prestigious Women in Leadership Awards (WILA), now in their 11th year. The Awards recognise and champion women, including trans women and gender diverse people, at different stages of their careers who have made outstanding contributions to Australia’s health technologies sector, strengthen the sector’s diversity and inspire more women to pursue leadership roles.
BioMelbourne Network encourages high-quality applications from across Australia; nominees must work in the health technologies sector and do not need to be members of BioMelbourne Network.
Applications opened during the Women in Leadership Awards Launch, held alongside BioMelbourne Network’s BioForum, ‘Leading through uncertainty’. Candidates can apply via the online form and save applications to complete later. Application close Friday, 14 November 2025.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable women driving innovation, impact, and progress across the Australian health technologies sector.” Karen Parr, CEO BioMelbourne Network
“BioMelbourne Network is proud to open nominations for the Women in Leadership Awards; it’s an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable women driving innovation, impact, and progress across the Australian health technologies sector. By recognising and elevating diverse leadership, we strengthen our industry and shape a healthier future for all. If that’s you, or someone you know, I encourage you to apply,” said Karen Parr, Chief Executive Officer, BioMelbourne Network.
2026 Award Categories
Emerging Leadership Award – Mover and shaker
This Award recognises an inspiring early-mid career leader who has taken on a career challenge or opportunity within the last 2-4 years, and has high potential for industry impact.
This Award celebrates an inspiring leader who:
• exhibits leadership qualities such as strategic risk-taking, embracing innovation, entrepreneurship and an appetite for driving impactful change
• is a rising star, who, regardless of age, is recognised for their high potential of future success in the industry
• has taken on a significant career challenge or opportunity within the last 2-4 years, that has high potential for industry impact.
Inspiring Leadership Award – Catalysing collaboration and powering progress
This Award recognises an inspiring leader who has played a pivotal leadership role in delivering an industry project, partnership, or collaborative initiative approximately within the last 5 to 10 years.
This Award celebrates an inspiring leader who:
• has played a pivotal leadership role in delivering an industry 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 technologies 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 in the health technologies sector and a career history of contributions over approximately 10-15+ years.
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.
How to apply (from 4:30 pm AEST today – Wednesday 17 September 2025)
• Apply online: Application link live at 4:30 pm AEST
• Save and return: You can save your application and complete it later.
• Eligibility & inclusivity: Open to women, including transwomen and gender diverse people. High-quality applications are encouraged from across Australia; nominees must work in the health technologies sector.
• Further details: Full criteria and FAQs will be available on the application page
For more information, view the full media release here.
