Carrie Hillyard is an experienced director with a life sciences industry background. She is a mentor to start-up companies and young scientists seeking careers with industry. She currently chairs the Mater Research Advisory Board. After a career spanning medical research ion bone and calcium metabolism in London to inventing, patenting and developing diagnostics in Brisbane, she co-founded venture capital firm, CM Capital Investments, where she built and led the Life Sciences practice, taking an active rôle on the boards of pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device investee companies. CMCI raised and managed over $260M in three funds directed at life sciences and telecommunications technologies. Two funds attracted Institutional and international investors. Carrie has been a member of several Federal and State government boards and advisory bodies, providing advice on the development of the biotechnology and venture capital industries, and has also served on not for profit and university commercialisation company boards. In recognition of her contributions to biotechnology, she has received awards from AusBiotech and Women in Technology and a Centenary medal. She was elected to the Fellowship of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering in 1997 and recently served on its board for 6 years. She was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019.

In her six years as Director of Research and Development with AGEN Pty Ltd, Dr Hillyard was largely responsible for making that company one of Australia's spectacular successes in advanced technology.

The range of diagnostic products that she developed and brought to market, all based on Australian research, now earn the company $8m/ annum, mainly in exports.

She is an enthusiastic and widely recognised proponent of Australian research and development, and her ability to combine major commercial and government responsibilities with an obviously enjoyable and challenging personal life - including her penchant for early morning aerobatics - makes her a magnificent role model for young women contemplating careers in science and technology.