MTAA Board election kicks off, setting stage for industry’s next chapter in policy and advocacy

The race for seats on the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) Board kicks off today, 19 September, with voting opening at 10am AEST to determine who will claim eight (8) coveted positions.

With 14 nominations on the table, including three from sitting board members, the competition is shaping up as industry leaders vie for influence in shaping the medtech industry’s policy and advocacy agenda. The timing is critical, with a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with government due in early 2026, as the existing four-year agreement tied to Prostheses List (PL) reforms nears its conclusion.

Among the candidates is Sarah Najdek, Managing Director of J&J MedTech ANZ, who is nearing her first year in the role. Najdek brings nearly two decades of experience in medical technology, having held leadership positions across Orthopaedics, Cardiovascular, Breast Reconstruction, and General Surgery in Australia, New Zealand, and wider APAC markets.

“It is great privilege to work for an industry at the forefront of innovation to improve patient lives and enhance the efficiency of our healthcare system, I would like to make an impactful contribution to this industry as a member of the MTAA Board.

“I would apply my experience working in markets across Asia and New Zealand, which have implemented regulatory and policy reform, to support the Board to navigate a complex reform landscape whilst representing the interests of patients and all MTAA members with passion and purpose. Additionally, I would bring with me the support of a full team of Government and Regulatory experts at Johnson & Johnson,” Najdek told Health Industry Hub.

Brendan Cummins, Vice President and General Manager, Australia and New Zealand at Baxter Healthcare, is also in the running. Cummins has spent nearly 18 years with Baxter across a range of senior roles.

“Through strong advocacy and representation, I intend to help broaden the focus of the MTAA to address the common challenges our members are having to navigate. Importantly, I want to make sure members are duly recognised for their vital role in building resilient medical supply chains to support our communities with the medical technologies they depend on. I’m looking forward to extending the positive results Baxter has achieved in these areas, thanks to our ongoing advocacy work, to the broader MedTech industry,” he said.

The list of nominees includes three sitting board members seeking re-election: Liz Carnabuci, Vice President and Managing Director of Medtronic ANZ and current MTAA Board Chair; Warren Bingham, Executive Chairman of MedTech International and current MTAA Board Vice-Chair; and Jack Lancaster, CEO of Evolution Surgical.

The remaining list of nominees features senior leaders from across the medtech sector, including Adam Bicego (Solventum, formerly 3M Healthcare), Jacob Coverdale (W.L. Gore & Associates Australia), Brendan Cummins (Baxter Healthcare), Ofer Elboher (Abbott Medical Australia), Jan Ewert (Biotronik Australia), John Meek (KLS Martin), Sarah Najdek (Johnson & Johnson MedTech ANZ), Paul Petherbridge (LifeHealthcare), Helen Souris (Cardihab), Susan Tye (Heraeus Medical Australia), and Brian Young (AES Environmental).

Board members elected this cycle will take office after MTAA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 27 November 2025. Under the association’s governance rules, half the board must retire by rotation at each AGM, with a maximum tenure of six consecutive years.

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