Australia's industry body for biotechnology, AusBiotech, has announced ex-Sanofi leader Rebekah Cassidy as its incoming Chief Executive Officer.
Rebekah is an experienced leader with extensive strategy, policy, and media proficiency, coupled with deep health industry expertise, and will commence the role on 20 May 2024.
Previously holding leadership roles in some of Australia's largest corporations, for global organisations and in government, she is recognised for her ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, forge trusted strategic partnerships, and drive meaningful change.
Most recently Sanofi's Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Australia & New Zealand, Rebekah brings experience from companies working at the bench through to bedside, including The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and her broad experience has aided her understanding of Australia's health ecosystem and the value the life sciences sector brings to Australia.
Interim Chair Dr James Campbell led the Board's welcome, "On behalf of the AusBiotech Board, I'm delighted to warmly welcome Rebekah to the team. Throughout this recruitment process, the selection panel was impressed not only by Rebekah's exceptional past professional experience but by her ability to translate that experience in a way that's relevant to the specific challenges and opportunities facing our sector."
"Rebekah's policy and stakeholder expertise, coupled with her track record in transparent and inclusive leadership and her clear passion for amplifying an aligned voice for life sciences in Australia, made her a standout candidate. The Board and I are looking forward to supporting Rebekah as she leads a new way forward for our committed AusBiotech team."
Ms Cassidy noted, "I'm honoured to join AusBiotech as its incoming CEO, and to help the team build on the outstanding work delivered for members every day."
"Australia is well known for the strength of its biotechnology community and we can all be immensely proud of both the exceptional science that the sector delivers as well as the social and economic value that members bring.
"Today and into the future, as our policy makers and leaders work to diversify and modernise our nation's economy, shore up greater sovereign capability, and make more in Australia, it will be critical that our sector delivers a clear and aligned voice on the stubborn barriers to bolster investment attraction and commercialisation success.
"I'm hoping to hear many voices on these topics over coming months. I'm looking forward to listening intently and working to identify new opportunities for collaboration so that we can harness the opportunity in front of us, and continue to grow Australia's life science community."
Building an exemplary track record leading high performing multi-disciplinary teams, stakeholders and colleagues know Rebekah as an authentic leader who is enthusiastic about building organisations that actively challenge the status quo and walk the talk.
