Moira Clay is one of Australia’s foremost experts in health and medical research strategy.  She is a transformational leader and a highly experienced facilitator. Moira has a reputation for professionalism and integrity and is known for her collaborative and inclusive approach.  She has developed an enduring and substantive network across the Australian health and medical research sector.

Moira has extensive senior executive experience in medical research institutes in Victoria (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute), NSW (Children’s Cancer Institute) and WA (The Kids Research Institute Australia). She was President of two peak bodies – the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) (2003) and Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS) (2013), leading significant public, political and scientific advocacy initiatives. In 2018, she was nominated as a Fellow of ARMS, acknowledging her enduring and substantial contributions to research management, and her active philanthropic involvement was profiled in a TEDx Fremantle talk.

Moira established Moira Clay Consulting Pty Ltd in 2014. Over the past 11 years, Moira Clay Consulting has built a strong reputation for adding value to health and medical research organisations (including medical research institutes, hospitals, funding bodies, universities and peak bodies) across Australia. Moira has led work to support more than 60 organisations (including the Perkins) across Australia set themselves up for a future of achieving ambitious outcomes that benefit the community.

She was Chair of the Advisory Board of the Menzies Institute (University of Tasmania) from 2021 to 2023. In September 2022, Moira was honoured for her distinguished service to research management by ARMS and awarded the Janet Dibb-Leigh Award recognising those who make outstanding contributions to the research management sector throughout Australasia and Singapore.

Throughout her career, Moira has been dedicated to advancing the Australian health and medical research sector through strategic guidance, mentorship, and expert assessment. Her leadership strengths include strategic thinking, exceptional communication, and the ability to build collaborative stakeholder relationships. She has been instrumental in positioning research institutions at the forefront of innovation and societal impact.

Moira holds a PhD in Biochemistry (cardiovascular science) from Monash University (Baker Institute).