MEET US
Our Steering Committee is comprised of a group of women who are passionate about the development, advancement and career satisfaction of all women in our HealthTech sector.
ERIN CURRIE (CO-CHAIR)
New Zealand Country Manager | Philips Health Systems
Erin is an experienced Commercial and Governance Leader in the healthcare sector with a career spanning 30 years. Her knowledge and expertise are in medical devices, equipment and digital healthcare across radiology, surgical specialties, cardiology, gastroenterology, and endoscopy. Originally a registered nurse, she then transitioned into medical device sales and developed an aptitude for management, commercial strategy, and governance.
Erin is currently New Zealand Country Manager for Philips Health Systems, part of the ANZ leadership team, after joining in November 2020. Previous roles included 6 years leading Olympus New Zealand, and 10 years with Medtronic in various roles including sales, sales management, and branch leadership.
Erin is passionate about the New Zealand healthcare sector and represents the industry as the Vice Chair of the Medical Technology Association of New Zealand (MTANZ). She also has a passion for personal development and is a founding member of Women in HealthTech (WiHT).
ANGE PANTANO (CO-CHAIR)
Chapter Lead, Access and Innovation | Roche Diagnostics New Zealand
Ange has over 20 years’ experience in the commercial healthcare industry within pharmaceuticals and medical devices. She is an experienced and successful leader with strong interpersonal skills and a passion for doing what is right for patients in Aotearoa. Ange loves working with people, for people. Her strengths include developing and leading highly performing teams, commercialising innovative products, strategy development, and a strong understanding of the healthcare policy landscape in New Zealand and abroad. With over 15 years of nursing in New Zealand and England, Ange offers a strong clinical background and deep understanding of healthcare delivery from a healthcare provider perspective.
Ange am passionate about developing women leaders for the future and creating a pathway for their success.
JAYDEE CABRAL
Research Associate Professor | University of Otago
Associate Professor in the department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Otago and affiliated with the Centre of Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, the Maurice Wilkens Centre, and the Medtech Research Network. Jaydee has been a researcher in the fields of chemistry, biomaterials, tissue engineering, and medical device development for over 15 years. Her multidisciplinary approach to her projects have resulted in the commercialization of an FDA approved post-surgical wound healing gel, Chitogel. She is involved in a diverse range of medical device projects in collaboration with national and international partners. Current projects include 3D printing tissue for mastectomy patients, a 3D printed medical device to treat precancerous cervical lesions, and a medical device to treat hearing loss.
ELLA DIXON
Research Engagement Advisor | Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland.
Ella works on a number of national strategic projects led by the Consortium for Medical Device Technologies (CMDT) to support and elevate the MedTech ecosystem for Aotearoa New Zealand. These include Te Tītoki Mataora the MedTech Research Translator, the Australia-New Zealand BioBridge, and Medtech-iQ Aotearoa. Ella holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering (Hons) and Master of Health Leadership (Hons).
CLAUDIA EPSKAMP
HealthTech Activator Analyst | Callaghan Innovation
Claudia's unwavering dedication to advancing health tech commercialisation and scientific innovation stems from her passion for improving lives. With three degrees—a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Bioscience Enterprise—she is pursuing her master's degree, continually deepening her expertise.
As a member of the HealthTech Activator team at Callaghan Innovation, Claudia plays a crucial role in fostering groundbreaking innovations throughout New Zealand. Before this, she accumulated valuable experience in AUT's commercialisation office and successfully managed her marketing business, contributing to the success of nationwide events. Claudia's multifaceted background in science, business, and law equips her to contribute substantially to the industry.
Besides her professional pursuits, Claudia remains actively engaged in her community through volunteering initiatives like Habitats for Humanity and Auckland City Mission involvement. In her leisure time, she finds joy in outdoor activities and cherishes the company of friends, enriching her life beyond her career endeavours.
NUALA FITZPATRICK
Account Director - Healthcare | FUJIFILM Business Innovation New Zealand
Nuala has extensive experience in IT innovation, process automation and deploying solutions that use AI. She is passionate about utilising technology to improve clinical processes and is excited about collaborating with the WiHT network to foster and promote innovation and encourage institutional change.
KENNETH GUSTILO
Managing Director | Synergy Care
Co-Founder | Dime
Kenneth Gustilo is a registered nurse and serial entrepreneur. She founded Synergy Care, a community care provider, and Dime, a health tech company offering employee scheme benefits for the sandwich generation. Kenneth’s mission is to empower women to excel in the HealthTech industry. She thrives on building relationships with like-minded individuals who share our vision, values, and purpose.
MIEKE HABECK
New Zealand Business Manager | OLYMPUS AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND
I’d like to introduce myself, My name is Mieke Habeck and I am a passionate & engaged business leader, with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, specializing in commercial strategy, sales, marketing and executive management. With a proven track record of leading teams to outstanding success, I bring a deep commitment to innovation, people development and stakeholder engagement. I am internationally recognized for building high-performing teams, achieving globally benchmarked market share, and enabling record-setting financial results.
Since joining Women in Health Tech NZ in 2020, I have been an active member, committed to fostering opportunities for women in the industry. My recent participation in the 2024 mentee program further enriched my understanding of the challenges and opportunities for women in health technology, reinforcing my dedication to supporting and developing future leaders.
With a strengths-based leadership style, I focus on empowering individuals and teams to achieve their best through positive reinforcement and strength based feedback. I prioritize collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to align team strengths with organizational goals, ensuring long-term success.
I look forward to contributing to Women in Health Tech NZ’s mission by applying my strategic insights and industry experience to support and inspire other women in healthcare technology.
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LAURA HAYCOCK
Health System Partner | Roche
Laura has been working in the healthcare industry for 11 years, both in London and New Zealand, and is currently working in an access and policy role at Roche. She is passionate about equitable medicines access and improving the health system to deliver meaningful change for all New Zealanders. Laura is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment for women in the life sciences, and empowering women at all stages and challenges in their career.
GEN JOHNSTON
Clinical Research Manager | University of Auckland
Consultant - Project Leader - Prost-FIT | Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ
As a seasoned clinical researcher, Gen manages studies at University of Auckland on behalf of Alimetry Ltd, while also spearheading a joint University project focused on healthy aging. Gen has previously overseen initiatives like Prost-FIT, a nationwide program for men with prostate cancer. Thriving in the early-stage Med-Tech environment, Gen relishes forging connections with dynamic teams and startups.
TORI WALKER
Country Sales Manager - New Zealand | Applied Medical
Tori is an experienced, senior leader who is inspired by working in varied environments where she can clearly contribute to the success of an organisation. Her key strengths are around creating and building enduring relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to foster collaborative partnerships and achieve results.
KYLIE WILLIAMS
Chief Operating Office & Deputy CEO | Health Informatics New Zealand (HiNZ)
Kylie Williams is currently Chief Operating Officer at Health Informatics New Zealand (HiNZ) and oversees the day-to-day administrative and operational functions for HiNZ, running the media and events arm of HiNZ.
Kylie has over 25 years of global management experience across the commercial and social profit sectors, with particular experience in digital media and digital transformation.
Kylie spent a decade in the UK working for BBC worldwide and has held senior management roles in the social profit sector for Blind Low Vision, Fred Hollows Foundation, Melanoma Foundation and World Vision. She worked for Microsoft NZ as a Senior Manager in Partner Business Development and Developer Experience teams, running major events (TechEd/Ignite), working with tertiary students and startups, and was involved in outreach programmes aligned to Microsoft Philanthropies' work with education charities in NZ. She is also a Fellow of the International Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM).
Kylie is motivated by helping empower people and organisations to reach their optimum potential and making a positive difference to humanity through harnessing technology as an enabler. She is an advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity.
I am no bird; and no net ensnares me;
I am a free human being with an independent will.
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
We look forward to you signing up and joining the Women in HealthTech community! If you have any questions or would like to join, please click the Join Now below and we will respond to any questions and will include you on future events.
