Helping Shape Australia’s Future STEMM Workforce
One of the biggest conversations taking place across Australia’s healthcare, life sciences and STEMM sectors is how we strengthen the pipeline of future talent.
The challenge is not simply attracting people into science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. It is helping students, graduates and STEMM professionals understand the career opportunities available to them, develop industry-relevant skills and connect with the organisations shaping the future of healthcare.
That is why the STEMM Careers Forum was created.
Running as a dedicated parallel stream within the Health First Summit on 18 February 2027, the STEMM Careers Forum has been designed to support the nationwide effort to strengthen Australia’s STEMM pipeline and future workforce. The Forum will bring together STEMM professionals, early-career talent, graduates and industry leaders for an afternoon focused on career pathways, industry insights, employability skills and workforce development. The Forum aims to give STEMM professionals and early-career talent exposure to industry leaders, mentoring opportunities, practical insights into industry career paths and future-focused skills.
To help ensure the program remains practical, relevant and aligned with the needs of both talent and employers, the Forum is being guided by an independent Program Committee comprising respected leaders from workforce development, medical affairs and healthcare careers.
Their role is to help shape a program that gives attendees exposure to industry leaders, practical insights into career opportunities, mentoring perspectives and future-focused skills that can support career growth across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, life sciences and related sectors.
Why the STEMM Careers Forum Matters
Across Australia, organisations continue to invest heavily in healthcare innovation, medical research, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics, digital health and medical technology.
At the same time, many STEMM professionals are looking beyond traditional career pathways and seeking opportunities to apply their skills in industry environments.
Yet for many students, researchers, clinicians and early-career professionals, the pathway into industry remains unclear.
Questions about employer expectations, transferable skills, networking, career transitions and long-term career development are common. The STEMM Careers Forum has been designed to address these knowledge gaps by connecting emerging talent with professionals who understand both the opportunities and realities of industry careers.
Importantly, the Forum aims to move beyond assumptions and misconceptions about industry pathways. It will explore employer expectations and strengthen practical career skills through workshops focused on networking and what employers look for when hiring. It has also been designed to connect attendees directly with future employers.
The Forum will also help attendees build valuable professional connections while engaging directly with potential employers and industry leaders.
Meet the STEM Careers Forum Program Committee
The inaugural STEM Careers Forum Program Committee brings together leaders with significant experience supporting STEMM professionals and workforce development.
Dr Melina Georgousakis
Formerly of Franklin Women, Dr Melina Georgousakis has been a long-standing advocate for supporting STEMM talent and career development across Australia.
“Australia produces extraordinary STEMM talent. The challenge is ensuring talented people can see the breadth of opportunities available to them and have access to the networks, insights and practical support needed to navigate their careers with confidence.”
Jodi Tainton
President of MAPA and a medical leader at Pfizer, Jodi Tainton brings valuable insights into one of healthcare’s most important industry career pathways and the skills increasingly sought by employers across the sector.
“Medical affairs continues to be one of the most exciting and impactful career pathways available to STEMM professionals. Greater visibility of industry careers helps individuals better understand where their skills can create value and impact.”
Gisela Mautner
Founder of The Mautner Docs, Gisela Mautner has built a strong reputation for helping healthcare professionals explore non-traditional career pathways and better understand the breadth of opportunities available across industry.
“Many talented professionals simply don’t realise how many career options exist beyond traditional pathways. Creating opportunities for people to learn directly from industry leaders can be transformational.”
Together, the committee provides diverse perspectives spanning STEMM careers, professional development, healthcare leadership and industry engagement.
What the STEM Careers Forum Will Explore
The STEM Careers Forum has been designed for:
• STEMM professionals interested in transitioning into industry roles
• Early-career STEMM talent
• New STEMM graduates
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore industry career pathways, connect with leaders across healthcare and life sciences, better understand what employers look for when hiring and gain practical insights into the capabilities that support long-term career success.
The Forum will also address common myths and misconceptions surrounding industry careers while providing practical information that helps attendees make more informed career decisions. The program has been specifically designed to address knowledge gaps for STEMM professionals interested in transitioning into industry roles.
At a time when organisations across healthcare and life sciences are competing for highly skilled talent, creating stronger connections between industry and the next generation of STEMM professionals has never been more important.
Secure Your Place
The STEMM Careers Forum will run as part of the Health First Summit on 18 February 2027 at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney.
Event Details
📅 18 February 2027
🕐 1:00pm – 5:00pm
📍 Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney
Early bird registrations are currently available until 30 September 2026. The Forum has been designed to provide attendees with access to industry leaders, mentoring opportunities, practical career insights and future-focused skills.
Register Now
Whether you are a STEMM professional exploring industry opportunities, an early-career professional looking to broaden your understanding of the healthcare sector or a graduate considering future career pathways, the STEM Careers Forum offers a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders and connect with the organisations helping shape Australia’s future workforce. Click here to register now.
Become a Sponsor
The STEMM Careers Forum provides a unique opportunity to position your organisation in front of STEMM professionals, graduates, researchers and future industry leaders.
Sponsorship partners will be recognised as organisations actively supporting Australia’s future workforce while gaining meaningful exposure to emerging talent and the broader healthcare, life sciences and STEMM community. Contact Vanessa Meikle directly to discuss sponsorship opportunities – vmeikle@huntonexecutive.com
We look forward to welcoming you to the STEM Careers Forum and Health First Summit 2027 as we work together to strengthen the connections between STEMM talent and industry.
About Hunton Executive
Executive search, strategic headhunting, and specialist recruitment for healthcare and life sciences organisations. From Board appointments and executive leadership to the specialist capability around them. Permanent, interim and fractional.