Read on to hear from Icon Group CEO, Mark Middleton OAM, Chief Medical Officer for UK, Dr Penny Kechagioglou and Icon Cancer Centre Site Manager, Amara Fonseca.
By Mark Middleton OAM, Icon Group CEO
International Women’s Day celebrates the incredible contributions of women across communities and industries, including healthcare. As a healthcare executive, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the impact that women have on shaping the future of our industry – driving innovation, advocating for patients, and leading with purpose.
Healthcare is a field that has long relied on the expertise, dedication, and resilience of women. From researchers to oncologists, nurses to pharmacists and technicians, women form the backbone of patient care and medical advancements. Physicist and Chemist, Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize for her discovery of the elements of polonium and radium. Her groundbreaking research formed the very beginnings of modern radiation therapy we see today.
Yet, despite these contributions, we know that gender disparity remains an issue around the world. Women continue to be underrepresented in executive roles, and as leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that the next generation of women in STEM and healthcare have the opportunities and support they deserve.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, ‘Accelerate Action’, is a global call to acknowledge and implement strategies that positively impact women’s advancement. It’s not just about celebrating progress—it’s about taking real steps toward gender equity.
Advancing gender equality in STEM isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential for innovation, excellence, and better healthcare outcomes. We need diverse voices, perspectives, and talents to solve the complex challenges we face in healthcare and beyond.
The overall industry stats are sobering1:
At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, roughly five generations to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum2.
These statistics highlight the need for continued efforts to promote gender equity in STEM education and careers across Australia and globally.
Women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, especially in leadership roles. It’s our responsibility as leaders to break down systemic barriers, create opportunities, encourage curiosity and champion the next generation of female scientists, engineers, researchers, doctors, and healthcare professionals. STEM is for everyone, and we must showcase the diverse pathways available. Having more women in these roles can help address healthcare gaps and improve patient outcomes.
Investment in mentorship, sponsorship, and visible role models is critical. When women and girls see others like them thriving in STEM careers, they believe they can too. I’ve seen this every day in our Iconic women who are making an impact across our growing network.
People like Larissa Gomes dos Reiss who started with Slade Health as our Chief Scientist and now leads a team of hundreds as Slade’s General Manager – Quality and Operations; Danielle Mulherin who commenced as a Medical Physicist and now leads as our Regional Medical Physics Manager for Queensland; Cassandra O’Brien who commenced with Icon as a graduate nurse, moving into a Site Manager role and today leads across our Icon Cancer Centre Queensland portfolio as Deputy State Manager; Claire Fitzgerald who started with Slade Pharmacy as a Pharmacist Clinical Team Leader and today heads our Quality and Medication Safety Unit across the national pharmacy portfolio; Huong Nguyen who began her career at Icon as a young Radiation Therapist and now leads our global remote radiation therapy function; Christie Neilsen who started as a Project Manager and today is Head of our Development Program across APAC; An Chau who started as an Aged Care Pharmacist in Australia is now a senior leader in Singapore as Director of Clinical Operations and Quality across our ASEAN portfolio; Claire Smith who commenced as an Australian Icon Cancer Centre Site Manager, moved into a Global Director of Radiation Therapy role and now leads as National Operations Manager for our growing Icon UK division; Cherrie Leong who commenced as a Pharmacist in Western Australia and now leads the region as State Manager for Western and South Australia; and Amanda Waldon who started with us as an Radiation Therapist and moved into a national Quality role and has since taken on the position of Site Manager at our Springfield centre.
Healthcare is a sector where women are well-represented in the workforce but still underrepresented in leadership. We must be intentional about closing that gap.
As a leader in healthcare, I am committed to fostering a workplace where women in STEM can thrive, lead, and drive change. At Icon, I’m proud of our strong female representation in leadership. Women make up almost 50% of our executive leadership, and that number continues to grow across all leadership levels.
But we know we aren’t there yet. We’re working to push through improvements to policies and are investing in more programs designed to support women in the workforce – nurturing career progression and creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
Let’s commit to mentoring future leaders, challenging biases, and advocating for workplace policies that support career progression for women.
Achieving gender equality in STEM isn’t a solo effort; it requires collaboration across education, industry, and policy. Women have been working hard for gender equality, particularly in STEM—but change requires leadership and commitment from men as allies to ensure progress. As a husband, father of a daughter, and leader, I don’t want the opportunities and choices of women to be limited by their gender.
Together, we can build a future where women and girls are empowered to innovate, lead, and transform healthcare.
Swipe right to view pledges from some of our iconic leaders.
References
1Australian Government Department of Industry Science and Resources. https://www.industry.gov.au/news/state-stem-gender-equity-2023
2World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2023/
By Amara Fonseca, Icon Cancer Centre Site Manager Richmond and Freemasons (Australia)
On International Women’s Day, I find myself reflecting on the moments and people who shaped my career. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that mentorship does not have to be perfect to be powerful. Too often, we wait for the right mentor—someone who will guide us every step of the way.
But in reality, it is the collective impact of different people, at different times, that helps us grow. Some of the best advice I have received has come from a passing comment, a quick check-in, or someone simply backing me before I was ready to back myself.
I never planned to be a radiation therapist, but I quickly found a passion for the profession and the opportunities it provided. My career has taken me across public and private healthcare, to Cyprus for three years, and to Vietnam for a technology upgrade. I have led teams across multiple sites, most recently relocating to Victoria to lead the Icon Richmond and Freemasons teams.
Stepping into leadership was not something I initially pursued, but taking that leap changed everything. Moving from a clinical role to site management required a shift in mindset—learning to step back, trust my team, and focus on the bigger picture. It was uncomfortable at times, but it was also where I grew the most. Throughout this transition, I leaned on the mentorship of colleagues, leaders, and peers—sometimes in structured ways and sometimes in unexpected moments. Their guidance helped me navigate uncertainty, develop confidence in decision-making, and shape my leadership style.
A defining opportunity in my leadership journey was Icon’s Future Leaders Forum, which gave me the space to refine my skills, challenge my thinking, and step up with greater confidence. The lessons I took from this experience—alongside the informal mentorship I received throughout my career—have shaped how I lead today. I prioritise creating that same space for others, particularly women, by making time to listen, advocate, and open doors where I can.
That commitment to inclusion is why I joined Icon’s Gender Employee Led Inclusion Group (ELIG), a platform that brings together diverse perspectives, drives change, and fosters mentorship. Leadership is about lifting others up, and I am committed to helping build a workplace where all women feel supported to take the next step in their careers.
By Dr Penny Kechagioglou, Chief Medical Officer UK
From my early days as a clinician to my current roles including that of Chief Medical Officer of Icon in the United Kingdom, my journey in oncology has been profoundly shaped by the challenges and triumphs that accompany this ever-evolving field. My commitment to advancing cancer care has paralleled my involvement in initiatives like the Women For Oncology UK Group, which aligns with the European Society for Medical Oncology’s efforts to elevate women leaders within the sector.
Our recent launch of the Women For Oncology on 26 February this year, marked a significant milestone. We hosted an online webinar that brought together esteemed colleagues to discuss crucial topics ranging from Psychological Safety in the workplace to the unique strengths women bring to cancer care. This initiative is not just about seminars; it’s a growing movement dedicated to mentoring, sponsoring, and advocating for equality in oncology care.
Support networks like Women For Oncology are vital. Despite progress, data still shows women are under-represented in leadership roles, boards, and research publications within healthcare. The oncology field, highly regulated and often unpredictable, requires robust support systems. Women in this field face unique challenges, including a higher risk of burnout and lesser psychological safety. Addressing these issues is not just about fairness; it’s essential for fostering an equitable and sustainable model of cancer care.
Mentorship feels top of mind too, on a day like International Women’s Day – it has been a cornerstone of my professional development. Both as a mentor and a mentee, I’ve learned that successful mentorship is built on the foundation of shared values and trust. However, while mentorship is crucial, sponsorship is transformative. Men often receive more sponsorship opportunities, which can be career-defining. For women in healthcare, the absence of a sponsor can be the barrier that prevents achieving their ultimate career goals.
Looking ahead, I am committed to leveraging my work and influence to advocate for and implement strategies that support women in oncology. By fostering environments that promote psychological safety and by ensuring women are both mentored and sponsored, we can change the landscape of healthcare leadership. To me, this is not just about providing support – it’s about each of us doing what we can to empower the next generation of women oncologists and all professionals working in healthcare to aspire to and reach their highest potential.
At Icon, you’ll help change lives, every single day. In return for your passion, dedication and agility, we offer a workplace where you can.
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