Programme Overview

Keynote speakers

Kylie Price

Chief Technology Officer, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

Kylie Price is the Chief Technology Officer at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research with 20 years’ experience providing strategic, scientific, and operational direction in multidisciplinary environments. Kylie has strong stakeholder management and engagement skills and has attracted more than $35m of philanthropic funding over the past 13 years, developing the largest and most technologically advanced Shared Resource Laboratory in Aotearoa, New Zealand, the Hugh Green Technology Centre.  This is a state-of-the-art, one-stop shop technology centre for the deep understanding of biological systems from the micro- to the macro-level. As CTO Kylie ensures scientists across New Zealand access to some of the most world-leading technology platforms (including full spectrum flow cytometry, histology, bioimaging, data science, genomics and mRNA for pre-clinical vaccine development) to advance their research goals.

Kylie played a pivotal role in supporting the establishment of a ground-breaking $69.5 million national RNA development platform.  She has a strong leadership track-record, organising high-profile networking events, such as CYTOAsia Singapore 2017, and directing international organisations, such as the Australasian Cytometry Society of which she is former President (2015-2016).  Kylie is a two-time NZ Woman of Influence Awards (2014 and 2018) finalist and finalist of the 2021 NZ High Tech Awards.  She was the first New Zealander elected to the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC) Council (2018-2020) and served as Chair of the Governance Committee and Secretary of ISAC for four years (2020-2024).  Kylie was selected to join the NZ OnBoard Program in April 2023, enhancing her governance and strategic planning skills and she currently serves as a board observer for Orbis Diagnostics and a member of the Advisory Group of Advemto.

View Kylie’s Presentation

Jack Jensen

Entrepreneur

Jack Jensen is a dedicated entrepreneur from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. He is the founder of MSFT Productions and Spark That Chat. Jack is a mental health advocate, content creator, extreme sports athlete, merchandiser, events promoter, and keynote speaker.

His accomplishments reflect his determination and passion. Through Spark That Chat, Jack aims to normalise conversations around suicide and mental health, striving to save lives by creating supportive spaces and encouraging open dialogue. He works to challenge the "hard man"stigma prevalent in New Zealand and provide people with the tools to cope during difficult times. MSFT Productions showcases Jack 's enthusiasm for an active lifestyle, good mental health, adventure, and dream-chasing. With a strong social media following of over 165, 000, he shares his message with a global audience who share similar interests. Jack is dedicated to inspiring people to live their best lives, bringing them together to dream big and achieve even bigger.

Dr Wendy Sweet (PhD)

MyMT™ Founder/ Member: Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine/ REPs NZ Exercise Specialist

Dr Wendy Sweet (PhD) has been an award-winning presenter and educator in the New Zealand exercise industry for over 30 years. In 2014, she won the Australasian Fitness Educator Author of the Year award and the Exercise NZ Award for ‘Most Outstanding Contribution to the NZ Fitness Industry’. These days her passion and purpose lies in helping women the world-over to understand lifestyle-science specific to the menopause transition through her scientifically-evidenced online programmes. Recently, she has developed Certified Health Practitioner courses about evidenced lifestyle science for menopause. Her global courses for Health and Medical Practitioners sell out in days.