Dr Michelle Perugini recognised with two wins at the inaugural Australian and New Zealand Women in AI Awards.

L-R: Professor Joanna Batstone, Grand Award Second runner up Fiona Turner, Dr Michelle Perugini, Jamila Gordon, The Hon. Julie Bishop

Presagen CEO and co-founder, Dr Michelle Perugini was one of an exceptional group of women recognised for their ongoing achievements in AI at an award ceremony held in Sydney in on Friday, 26 March 2021.

The Women in AI Awards recognise women whose innovation and leadership in founding and helming AI companies is unlocking the global potential and ability of AI to benefit the community at large. 

Women in AI is a global network of female experts and professionals in the field of AI working towards gender-inclusive AI that benefits a global society. Their mission is to close the gender gap in the field by educating the next generation of female leaders in AI and to increase female representation and participation in AI. The awards are held in Europe and Australia.

Dr Perugini’s contribution was recognised with her win of the AI in Health Award, one of eleven industry categories. The award co-presented by Dr Cathy Foley, Australia’s Chief Scientist and Elena Wise, Microsoft Australia. 

In her remarks before the presentations, Dr Foley reiterated the need for more women leaders in AI. “It is important to raise the profile of amazing women in future technologies, to have a truly diverse workforce. A diverse workforce equals diverse solutions,” she said.

Dr Perugini was also named First Runner Up for the Australia - New Zealand WAI Innovator of the Year, sharing the stage with Jamila Gordon, CEO and Founder of Lumachain, who took home the Grand Award. These final awards were co-presented by Australia’s Former Foreign Minister and WAI Awards 2021 Advisory Group Patron, The Hon. Julie Bishop and Professor Joanna Batstone, the Director of the Monash Data Futures Institute.

The collegiality and importance of the night was summed up by Ms Bishop who said, “I have been the first woman to take on a lot of roles in my career… you have a responsibility to make it easier for those following you… it is quite different to be in a room where the majority is women. And it is quite comfortable.”

Dr Perugini’s colleagues at Presagen congratulate her on a well-deserved win!