Leadership Meets Innovation: How Collaboration Fuels Commercialisation 

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Unlocking science for the greater good requires more than innovation. It demands leadership, trust, and systems-level thinking. 

When we first came together in 2020 to launch the MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship and Scholarship programs, the question wasn’t simply how to help scientists commercialise their research. It was broader and deeper: how can we prepare a generation of science entrepreneurs to lead with purpose in a system not yet built for them? 

This whitepaper, Unlocking the Potential of Science Commercialisation: From Training to Systemic Change captures what we’ve learned across four years of collaboration. And it reinforces a simple truth: real transformation happens when capability meets community, when talent is supported by trust, and when science and leadership walk hand in hand. 

THE PARTNERSHIP: MORE THAN PROGRAM DELIVERY 

At its core, this collaboration has been about blending two distinct but complementary perspectives: 

  • MedTech Actuator, with its deep roots in health innovation and entrepreneurial acceleration 
  • Menzies Leadership Foundation, with a 45-year legacy of cultivating purpose-driven leaders for the greater good 

Together, we designed and delivered high-impact capability-building programs that supported 40 Scholars and 4 Fellows early- and mid-career researchers from across the country on their journeys from lab bench to leadership. 

We didn’t just teach commercialisation; we nurtured confidence. We didn’t just connect participants to mentors; we embedded them in a community. We didn’t just deliver a curriculum; we built a culture. 

WHAT WE SAW WORKING IN THE SYSTEM 

There’s no shortage of exceptional talent in Australia. Our scholars and fellows came from every corner of the country and represented disciplines as diverse as AI-enabled diagnostics, respiratory health, cell therapy, neurogenetics, and women’s health. 

What set them apart and what became a hallmark of the program was not just their scientific expertise but their readiness to lead: 

  • To make decisions under uncertainty 
  • To build cross-sector relationships 
  • To carry their research forward not as individuals, but as stewards of something larger 

We also saw firsthand how targeted support can catalyse extraordinary progress. From prototypes to production runs, and from pitch nights to published ventures, the right mix of mentorship, access, and belief in potential unlocked measurable results: 

  • 1,028+ hours of engagement | 16+ startups launched | A national footprint with global traction 
WHERE THE SYSTEM STILL FALLS SHORT 

But let’s be honest: this journey hasn’t been smooth sailing. As our participants navigated the system, they encountered persistent barriers, a lack of patient capital, fragmented pathways, and rigid institutional structures that don’t always recognise or reward entrepreneurship. 

Despite strong program outcomes, the ecosystem remains siloed, duplicative, and risk-averse. In our whitepaper, we call this out directly and propose ways forward. We highlight three core enablers that must be strengthened: 

  1. Capital – not just more, but smarter, longer-term capital tailored to health tech timelines 
  1. Connectivity – stronger, more purposeful links between academia, startups, and industry 
  1. Capability – real-world, practice-based development that equips scientists to thrive outside traditional academic structures 

To move from individual wins to systems change, these conditions must shift and they require cross-sector coordination, not just programmatic activity. 

LOOKING AHEAD: OUR SHARED VISION 

What this collaboration has proven is that when leadership and innovation align, change becomes possible, not just within individuals, but across an entire ecosystem. 

Our hope is that this whitepaper becomes a blueprint, for government, for research institutions, for investors, for those building the next generation of health ventures. It offers more than a reflection; it extends a challenge: 

What kind of ecosystem are we willing to build to ensure our brightest ideas become real-world impact? 

We believe Australia has the talent. We believe we have the tools. Now, we need the will to lead together. 

Thank you to every Scholar, Fellow, mentor, partner, and team member who helped shape this journey. We are proud of what we’ve built and even more excited for what’s next. 

Read the full whitepaper 🔗 

 

At the Menzies Leadership Foundation, we believe that scientific innovation is not just about discovery — it’s about translation, collaboration, and long-term impact.

Breakthroughs in research hold immense potential, but without the right leadership, that potential can remain untapped. We see leadership as the catalyst — the connective tissue that enables science to move beyond the lab, into systems, and into society.

That’s why we invest in the people behind the ideas: the scientists ready to lead, the thinkers ready to challenge convention, and the collaborators ready to drive change across disciplines and sectors.

Because the future of science isn’t just technical — it’s human.
And shaping that future demands a new kind of leadership.

We invite you to lead at the intersection of innovation and purpose.

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Natasha is driven by a profound passion for both creativity and analytics, a synergy that fosters authentic storytelling in the digital realm with both innovation and integrity. 

Throughout her career, she has consistently integrated the overarching marketing and communications narrative with the emotional connections of audiences. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Society and the Individual from Flinders University, furthering her exploration of human behaviour and the critical importance of connectedness between organisations, individuals, and communities.

LinkedIn | natasha.eskinja@menziesfoundation.org.au

Sarah Jenkins

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Sarah has more than 18 years’ experience in communications and marketing leadership across a range of sectors.

Communications strategy and organisational growth is a continuing theme in Sarah’s career. Most recently, she leads the development of a Leadership Movement, evaluated by Menzies Viral Co-efficient Model; a contribution to the NFP. 

Sarah’s early career centred around best practice in marketing and communications which later culminated into the establishment of her very own agency. This work extensively spanned across PR, traditional media, event management, strategy, digital marketing, graphic design and business development consultancy. 

In 2019, Sarah joined the lean and robust team at the Menzies Foundation. She has since crafted the Foundation’s narrative and communication strategy. The development of this strategic communications platform is essential for ‘movement building’ and requires a strong strategic, management and communication skills set. Sarah has brought so much to this important work, which sits at the forefront of communication practice. 

Sarah continues to contribute to the NFP sector through her commitment to Purpose; as she reflects on her own leadership, builds her own leadership capability and contributes to the greater good. 

LinkedIn | sarah.jenkins@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0401 880 071

Rohan Martyres

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Rohan has 15 years’ experience in facilitating cross-sector collaborations to address complex social and health challenges.  He has worked with the World Economic Forum in Australia, led an international conflict resolution field team in Nepal, and directed a 10-year £40m initiative to reduce health inequity in London.

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When Rohan isn’t exploring Melbourne’s creeks with his partner and 6yo daughter, he’s working on his currently weak Australian accent (after 15 years in the UK).

LinkedIn | rohan.martyres@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0404 505 954

Trudy Morrison

Operations Manager

A marketing and communications specialist with over 20 years experience in government, corporate and consumer marketing, Trudy brings her adaptive and organisational project management skills to the Menzies Foundation team. 

With a BA degree in Public Relations, Trudy began her career with the City of Melbourne and in magazine publishing, before moving into marketing communications consulting. She has worked in strategic marketing leadership roles with retail brands and enjoys juggling many projects and tasks simultaneously. Her skills were further enhanced when managing her own communications business representing industries across private education, financial services, aviation, government and the health industry. 

Trudy is passionate about leadership and all people being encouraged to reach their full potential through research and educational initiatives and opportunities throughout Australia. A skilled and accomplished writer and editor Trudy is enthusiastic about bringing her variety of skills to the Menzies Foundation team. 

LinkedIn | trudy.morrison@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0402 361 878

Liz Gillies

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Liz Gillies has had over 25 years experience in a range of fields focused on initiatives for social impact. She has held roles in multiple sectors and academia.

In 2018, Liz was appointed CEO of the Menzies Foundation which aspires to build a leadership movement that supports Australians to pivot to purpose, build their leadership capability and contribute to the ‘greater good’.

Liz joined the Melbourne Business School in 2009 and was instrumental in establishing the Asia Pacific Social Impact Centre (APSIC) and The Centre for Ethical Leadership. In November 2011 she was appointed as research fellow to lead a partnership focused on strategic philanthropy which culminated in the release of the reports: Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model (2018) and the Philanthropy: The Continued Journey to Real Impact and better Practice (2021).

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LinkedIn | liz.gillies@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0416 112 703

Natasha Eskinja

Digital Communications Coordinator

Natasha is driven by a profound passion for both creativity and analytics, a synergy that fosters authentic storytelling in the digital realm with both innovation and integrity. 

Throughout her career, she has consistently integrated the overarching marketing and communications narrative with the emotional connections of audiences. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Society and the Individual from Flinders University, furthering her exploration of human behaviour and the critical importance of connectedness between organisations, individuals, and communities.

natasha.eskinja@menziesfoundation.org.au