Sydney, Tuesday 20 February 2024
Franklin Women, Australia’s only professional community dedicated to advancing women in health and medical research, announces their inaugural Advisory Board which will guide the social enterprise’s sustainability and impact into the future.
The inaugural Advisory Board consists of 8 members who together bring diverse expertise from within, and outside of, the health and medical research ecosystem, bringing a breadth of experience to the organisation as well as specific skills that will be critical to the organisation’s transition to a sustainable social enterprise.
Dr. Melina Georgousakis, Founder and Director of Franklin Women, reflects on this significant milestone,
“The establishment of a formal Advisory Board has come at such a critical time ensuring the Franklin Women team has the right support to leverage our recent investment from NSW Health and to put in place systems and governance structures to ensure Franklin Women and the impact we have continues for many years to come.”
Chairing the Advisory Board is Prof Robyn Norton AO, Founding Director of The George Institute for Global Health, who shared her excitement, saying,
“I am honoured to lead this exceptional group of leaders who share a collective commitment to guiding Franklin Women during this important stage of growth, and in turn advancing gender diversity within the health and medical research ecosystem.”
Founding Members of Franklin Women’s Advisory Board:
Prof Robyn Norton AO (Chair)
Founding Director, The George Institute for Global Health
Ms Annette Schmiede
Chief Executive Officer, Digital Health CRC
Dr Teresa Anderson AM
Chief Executive, Sydney Local Health District
Ms Kerry Doyle PSM, OAM
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Cardiovascular Alliance
Prof Caroline Homer AO
Deputy Director (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), Working Group Head, Burnet Institute
Emeritus Prof Jane Latimer AO
Director of Strategy and Engagement, Elizabeth Broderick & Co
Graham Putt
Non-Executive Director/Consultant
Marisa Ghafoor
Chief Financial Officer & Director of Strategy, Telstra Health
Board member Graham Putt is keen to call upon his strong financial and accounting expertise to support the organisation,
“The momentum this small social enterprise has had despite being primarily volunteer run is impressive. I look forward to bringing some new perspectives and systems to the organisation to build on this success and strengthen the organisation’s future.”
Each Advisory Board member brings a unique spectrum of skills, experiences and perspectives that will strengthen Franklin Women’s commitment to helping women thrive in health and medical research careers and shifting the culture in the organisations that employ them.
The inaugural Advisory Board will complement the grassroots Peer Advisory Group which Franklin Women has had in place since the social enterprise was founded in 2014. These committees, comprising women from diverse industries and career levels within the sector, actively contribute to advancing Franklin Women’s mission, shaping events and initiatives that propel women’s progress in the health and medical research ecosystem. Franklin Women is excited to welcome new members to the NSW Peer Advisory Group, as well as the formation of a new ACT Peer Advisory Group, further enhancing the governance of the social enterprise.
Visit here to learn more about Franklin Women’s Advisory Board and Peer Advisory Groups.
Franklin Women
Franklin Women is Australia’s only professional community dedicated to supporting the careers of women working across the health and medical research ecosystem.