Michelle Gallaher
Michelle Gallaher is a Melbourne-based award-winning entrepreneur, speaker and advocate for the Australian health technology sector and for women in science, technology, engineering maths and medicine (STEMM).
As CEO of Opyl Ltd (ASX:OPL) a company working at the intersection of social media, clinical trials, health data and artificial intelligence, Michelle is a sought-after mentor, collaborator, media commentator and influencer particularly on the pace of advancement of emerging digital health technologies, the role of AI in health the value of social media platforms and the pivotal role of women in STEMM industries.
Her career spans working an allied health clinician (an Orthoptist) in public hospitals working with vision impaired and head injury patients through to biopharmaceutical executive roles and finally leading tech startups – which is where you will now find her.
Michelle has served the Victorian biotech industry as CEO of the peak body for biotechnology and medtech in Victoria, the BioMelbourne Network, and is the co-founder of two technology startup companies (one successful acquired in 2018) and a not-for-profit organisation, Women in STEMM Australia.
Michelle has served and continues to serve as a non-executive director (NED) and advisor within universities, private and in public companies, not-for-profits and on various government committees and boards throughout her career. She currently serves as a NED on Cancer Trials Australia, Praxis Australia and the Medtech Actuator.
Michelle was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll for Women in 2018 in recognition of her leadership in the Victorian technology sector. She was the Victorian Telstra Business Woman of the Year and Victorian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017.
Michelle was also named as a finalist in the Australian Small Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 and the The Social Science (her first startup) was the winner of a Westpac 200 Business of Tomorrow award in June 2018.
Michelle is a Fellow of the Australian Institute for Management and a Graduate of the Institute for Company Directors.
Renowned for loving a microphone and a soapbox, Michelle is an accomplished speaker, (TedX 2014) MC and media commentator, a master networker and mother of two remarkable teenagers. She does not like cricket. Never has.