MEET US
The organisations have come together to empower women with a diverse range of thinking at all levels of the HealthTech industry and assist with effecting cultural change.
These organisations are created from a broad sector representing over 200 companies across New Zealand from early stage start-ups and research medical technology companies, to privately owned New Zealand suppliers and global multinationals.
Women in HealthTech will initially be focused on providing an array of educational and networking events and the opportunity for mentoring and collaborating with other organisations in health, women’s affairs and business innovation.
In late 2022, the WiHT committee came together to develop a 12-month strategic plan to make the most of our growing network. As a result, we have some exciting activities to share with you this year. We've developed some key areas, or pillars, to focus on for 2023. These will form the basis of our activities this year.
The committee felt that at least one or all of these strategic pillars would resonate with the majority of WiHT members. More information on each of the pillars and their associated activities such as workshops, online events and a mentoring programme will be released throughout the year.
The first event is a workshop which will focus on gender bias in the workplace and how to manage this situation effectively. We will run this workshop in March 2023 to celebrate ‘International Women’s Day’.
Make sure you're signed up to our newsletter to be the first to receive more details on this event as they will be released soon.
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).
TAMSYN ELDER
General Manager New Zealand | Vitality Works
Tamsyn is an accomplished executive leader, with extensive commercial expertise and strategic thought leadership across the health industry. She is passionate about healthcare technology and innovation, she is also committed to challenging the status quo, breaking down barriers, and creating pathways for women to lead, succeed and thrive.
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.
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.
CUSHLA SMYTH
Chief Executive Officer | Medical Technology Association of New Zealand
Cushla is the CEO of the Medical Technology Association of NZ, she started out in the health sector in the early 90’s as a registered nurse and has stayed in health ever since. Her passion for health has stuck with her having worked in many areas of health. Sometimes for commercially focused businesses such as big pharma and medical supply chain for EBOS Group, other times for public entities such as the University of Auckland in research and commercialisation or the DHBs focused on procurement.
Having led both small and large businesses, she thrives on working with high performing teams and collaborating with others, always with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes. She especially enjoys mentoring women and young people into management roles or helping staff to reach their full career potential. Always keen for a chat, reach out to her if you have ideas for collaboration.
VANESSA TANG
Project Manager | AVASA
Vanessa holds a chemical engineering degree from London. She is currently a project manager at a medical device startup, supporting activities including stakeholder engagement, operations, commercialisation and product development. Vanessa believes in diversity as a cornerstone for innovative solutions in healthcare.
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
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