EOTYA 2024 Finalist: Michelle Aquilina

Skin cancer rates in Australia are more than eight times the global average, with 2,000 people across the nation losing their lives to the disease every year.

Despite decades of medical breakthroughs and advances in diagnostic technologies, the numbers continue to rise by around six percent a year and are likely to be elevated further by the effects of global warming.

Ninety percent of melanomas can be cured if they’re spotted early enough, but sadly many suspicious moles either go unnoticed or are ignored until their cancerous cells have spread further into the body.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths from non-melanoma skin cancers, particularly on the head and neck, has doubled since 2001, research by the University of the Sunshine Coast revealed in July 2024.

The study described the rise as a ‘hidden epidemic’ and warned of the dangers of underestimating the urgency of treating such cancers. Many are removed by a patient’s doctor at their local clinic, so aren’t recorded in official cancer statistics.

Incredibly, there’s no formal screening program in Australia and over half the population hasn’t had their skin checked in the past two years. Nearly a third have never had it checked.

Cancer pioneer

“We live in a nation that covets the bronzed Aussie stereotype,” says Michelle Aquilina, CEO of melanoma detection and treatment giant MoleMap, which runs more than 100 skin cancer clinics across Australia and New Zealand, and has been a pioneer in the sector for two decades.

“And that has led to more deaths from skin cancer than from road accidents. It’s a critical health issue and we urgently need to do much more to combat it.”

The company’s melanographers screen more than 100,000 people a year, checking over a million moles and detecting 12,000 skin cancers. It also offers free checks to rural and remote communities where fewer residents have access to skin check services.

“Two-thirds of us will be diagnosed with skin cancer in our lifetime yet innovation in how we deliver services in this field has been relatively stagnant,” Aquilina reveals.

“That’s why MoleMap is working closely with industry and federal and state governments to improve outcomes for patients, shape the skin-screening programs of the future and set new standards for how they are delivered.”

The organization is also the only holistic skin health provider to leverage AI for skin cancer prevention and detection. It has launched the groundbreaking technology called ‘Kāhu A.I.’ to help melanographers and doctors in New Zealand detect early-stage melanoma and skin cancers.

MoleMap’s AI was developed using its world-leading database of dermatological images. Its advanced algorithms analyze skin lesion features to help assess their characteristics to indicate whether they may be likely benign or malignant, which then prioritizes dermatology diagnosis and treatment.

“We’ve successfully integrated AI into our care model, allowing us to expedite critical treatments, reduce delays and remove barriers to access many patients experience, as well as improve early detection and ultimately save lives,” Aquilina says.

“In that sense, we’re unlike any other company as our business model is the first to involve large-scale, nurse-led tele-dermatology and doctors, which also incorporates AI to scale up and improve the quality of service.”

The technique also boosts efficiencies so more patients can be screened through their diagnostic imaging and dermatologist diagnoses. Subsequently, the long wait times caused by general practitioner and specialist shortages are dramatically reduced.

Future focus

Aquilina was appointed CEO in 2021 to reinvent the business after what she describes as “seven-figure losses” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within just six months, she’d implemented a long-term strategy and returned the company to growth through diversifying revenue streams and restructuring finances for sustained expansion.

Perhaps most significantly, she nurtured a cultural transformation that’s instilled a future-focused mindset and a renewed sense of purpose.

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do and our success has been built on values of trust, transparency, flexibility and innovation,” she says. “My leadership philosophy is grounded on the belief that no-one achieves success alone. Surrounding myself with the best people has been essential.

“When our employees thrive, our business thrives so we have an ‘always-on’ feedback platform that means their voices are always heard.”

And those voices have been singing the praises of life at MoleMap to such an extent that it’s just been ranked third in the healthcare category in the prestigious Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Places to Work 2024.

“That was a very proud moment for all of us and the result of our shared sense of purpose and the knowledge that we’re making a tangible impact in the fight against this cancer,” she says. “It’s important to articulate a clear vision, not just of what we do, but why we do it and how we’ll achieve it.”

“It’s an approach that emphasizes calm, considered judgment and genuine care for others’ growth. These qualities come from passion, positive energy and never feeling sorry for ourselves.”

People power

Aquilina has introduced flexible working arrangements and a supportive framework where benefits are tailored to meet specific needs.

“That includes a paid week of ‘work–life balance leave’ in addition to annual leave because we understand that life happens, and helping our team members through those moments is essential,” she explains.

“The best leadership advice I’ve ever received was, ‘If you win the crowd, they will do anything for you’. It speaks to the power of truly connecting with your workforce and earning their trust so they’re willing to go the extra mile.”

It also reinforces her firm belief that being in charge doesn’t mean she should attempt to do everything on her own.

“A thousand hands and minds are always better than one,” she enthuses. “You’ll move forward with velocity if you have a unified force and a shared belief that you can achieve anything, even when the landscape is rapidly changing.”

Among those beliefs is a desire for continual innovation to push boundaries and explore novel screening, detection and treatment solutions. And to not be afraid of failure.

“I lead with empathy and authenticity because I believe showing vulnerability isn’t a weakness but a strength as it fosters trust and connection within my team. It means being true to myself while having the courage to make brave and pivotal decisions,” Aquilina adds.

“In fact, I take pride in building my knowledge and skills from the ground up. My journey has given me a deep appreciation of resilience, hard work and collaboration.

“I started as a receptionist and advanced through every layer of organizational leadership, giving me some highly insightful perspectives and teaching me humility and respect for everyone around me.”

Aquilina also takes pride in being at the forefront of the battle to combat what is Australia’s third most common cancer. She’s been a key contributor to federal policy discussions and is involved in the Australian Cancer Plan, a government initiative bringing stakeholders together to devise a much-needed national approach to cancer control.

Its aim is to achieve world-class outcomes for all Australians and close the economic, cultural and geographic gaps in survival rates.

“Our mission is really clear,” she says firmly. “We want to do all we can to create a future where skin cancer no longer claims lives and to ensure everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the highest quality detection and treatment.”