Dr Birrell holds degrees in veterinary medicine (USyd), PhD (medicine) and MBA (AGSM) and is member of the CEW and Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD). She has worked in senior management roles in the healthcare and technology sector for over 20 years including 8 years as CEO of an advanced high growth technology ASX company.
 
Previously she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers in advisory and financial services in healthcare and technology. She held senior management roles at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in the areas of research delivery and was a member of the University and Health Area research ethics committees for 7 years. Dr Birrell was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Museum of the Applied Arts and Sciences, NSW from 2016 – 2019.
 
She is also a co-founder of Apropela (formally Heads Over Heels) - a NFP influential network that accelerates growth of women-led technology companies. Dr Birrell is a previous winner of AFR Women of Influence Awards and Chief Executive Women Scholarship. Dr Birrell joined the Company in 2010 and has been a director since 2015.