With nearly 70% of its workforce being women, Accelagen is redefining biotech by fostering equity, flexibility, and career growth in STEM.

Despite some progress, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles and technical positions across Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, women now make up just 28.2% of the global STEM workforce, compared to 47.3% in non-STEM fields. While this is a slight increase from previous years, progress remains slow and the gender gap becomes even more pronounced at leadership levels where women occupy just one-quarter of senior roles and only 11% of C-suite positions in STEM industries.

At Accelagen, we’re proud to say that the story is refreshingly different—with almost 70% of our workforce made up of women across all levels of the organisation. From recruitment through to career development, we don’t just talk about equity—it’s embedded into the very DNA of our workplace culture. 

A family-founded and values-driven company, Accelagen has cultivated a flexible, supportive, and dynamic environment where women don’t just participate in biotech—they lead, innovate, and thrive. But what does this look like in practice? 

We spoke with three powerhouse team members—Preeti Sirohi (Senior Clinical Data Associate), Madeleine Reynard (EA & Office Manager), and Fiona Bramley (Senior CRA)—to unpack how Accelagen is creating meaningful career pathways for women in biotech. 

More than a job: Creating workplaces that support women

For many women—both within the biotech industry and outside of it—career growth often comes with trade-offs, whether it’s unfriendly hours, rigid hierarchies, or the expectation to be in a physical office full-time. Accelagen challenges this status quo by prioritising flexibility, fostering career progression, and actively supporting women at every stage of their professional journey. 

For Senior CRA, Fiona Bramley, she spent nearly a decade in clinical research before taking an extended career break to raise her two daughters. When she was ready to return to work, she faced a common dilemma: sacrifice flexibility for career continuity.

“I wanted part-time school hours, to work from home, and only travel locally, which is incredibly rare for a CRA role,” Fiona recalls. “I spoke to a few recruitment agencies, and they all said: ‘No, you have to do 40 hours and travel interstate and overseas.’ I thought I’d have to change careers entirely—until I came across Accelagen. From day one I knew that it’s ok if family comes first. It’s refreshing to hear—rather than at most companies where your work comes first…no matter what.”

Recognising the value of her experience and bringing her on as a Senior CRA while respecting her work-life balance needs, Fiona shared: “Most of the leaders here have young children, so there’s an understanding of what it means to balance work and family life. I’m trusted to do my job, and I feel supported—that’s huge.”

The power of representation: Women leading in biotech

A defining feature of Accelagen’s culture is its commitment to elevating women into leadership and specialist roles—not just in traditional HR or administrative positions, but in high-impact technical fields like clinical trials, data management, and research operations.

Preeti Sirohi is a Senior Clinical Data Associate, bringing over a decade of experience to the Accelagen team. Like most professionals, her journey wasn’t linear—she started in clinical trials in India, then moved into data management after recognising the constraints of a CRA role with young children.

“I always wanted to be in clinical research, but I also needed a role that would allow me to balance my personal life,” she shares. Through mentoring, structured career development, and leadership opportunities offered at Accelagen, Preeti has expanded her expertise—closing major studies, collaborating with clinical teams, and implementing new data management strategies.

“I love being part of something bigger. At Accelagen, I feel like I’m constantly learning and growing, and the team truly values our input and expertise.” 

The more women in biotech, engineering, and technology rise to leadership, the more the next generation will see STEM as a viable, welcoming career path.

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Did you know?

Girls continue to make up only one quarter of Year 12 enrolments in information technology, physics and engineering subjects. While the number of women enrolling in university STEM courses and working in STEM jobs has increased, only 37% of tertiary enrolments are women, and women represent 15% of all people working in STEM jobs. 

Source: Department of Industry, Science and Resources, The state of STEM gender equity in 2024

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Building a culture that fosters growth

For many women, the biggest barriers to career progression in biotech aren’t just about opportunity—they’re about belonging. Madeleine Reynard, who serves as Accelagen’s Executive Assistant and Office Manager, knows this firsthand.

After 13 years at a large private hospital, she made the leap to Accelagen for a new challenge. What stood out to her most was the company’s unique balance between rapid growth and maintaining a tight-knit, supportive culture.

“Accelagen has grown so much, but they’ve kept that family-oriented feel. Everyone is approachable, collaboration is encouraged, and there’s a real focus on making work enjoyable—not just productive.”

Madeleine played a key role in shaping Accelagen’s induction and onboarding processes, ensuring that every new team member feels welcomed and equipped for success. She also collaborates closely with HR to develop policies that support remote work, team building, and professional development.

“We’re building a workplace that genuinely prioritises people,” she says. “It’s exciting to be part of that evolution.” 

The bottom line: Why gender parity is good for everyone

Achieving gender equity in STEM is not just about fixing a broken system for women—it’s about building a better, more innovative, and more inclusive future for all. What we know is that science and technology shape every aspect of modern life, from healthcare and climate solutions to artificial intelligence and biotechnology. When women are underrepresented in these fields, their perspectives, lived experiences, and unique insights are missing from key innovations.

For example, medical research has historically excluded women from clinical trials, leading to misdiagnosed conditions and ineffective treatments for women. More women in biotech and research means better, more inclusive health outcomes.

Furthermore, what we know is that businesses benefit from diverse teams that drive stronger financial performance and innovation. According to the World Economic Forum, closing gender gaps could boost global GDP by $12 trillion. Countries and companies that prioritise gender inclusion in STEM will gain a competitive edge in the future economy.

Companies like Accelagen are proving that when workplaces embrace gender equity in STEM, it’s not just women who win—it’s the entire industry, the economy, and ultimately, the future of science and technology. 

“I always wanted to work in clinical research—to serve people and be part of something bigger. You have to love your job, and that’s what it’s all about for me. I worked on a COVID-19 trial, and the satisfaction that came from knowing I played a small role in something that helped so many people was incredible. Over the years, I’ve seen patients recover and even though they don’t know the full extent of what we do behind the scenes—that kind of impact keeps me motivated every day.” — Preeti Sirohi, Senior Clinical Data Associate

Why women thrive at Accelagen

Accelagen’s commitment to women in biotech isn’t just about recruitment—it’s about retention, upskilling, and leadership development. Here are some of the keys to building an equitable workplace culture that we have implemented at Accelagen: 

• Flexibility first: Remote and hybrid work options ensure that people aren’t forced to choose between career progression and personal commitments or needs.
• Career Growth Pathways: From technical mentorship to leadership opportunities, our team members are supported at every stage of their journey.
• Inclusive Leadership: A culture that values trust, autonomy, and work-life balance—set by example from the top down.
• Collaboration over competition: A workplace where knowledge-sharing, teamwork, and mutual support are the norm.

Setting the standards

By providing meaningful career pathways, equitable opportunities, and an empowering workplace culture, Accelagen is leading by example, proving that gender parity in biotech isn’t just an aspiration—it’s an achievable reality.

With women making up nearly 70% of Accelagen’s workforce, we are not just closing gender gaps—we’re setting a new standard for workplace culture in biotech. We truly believe that when you support women in STEM, everyone wins. As more organisations step up to build inclusive workplaces, we believe the future of biotech will be one where innovation thrives because everyone has a seat at the table.

Join the Accelagen team

If you are looking to join a workplace that values expertise, equity, and innovation, take a look at our Careers page or submit an expression of interest today ↗