Michelle Aquilina doesn’t just run a business; she shapes an industry. At the helm of MoleMap, she’s guided the trans‑Tasman health company through rapid growth and challenging times, all while keeping quality of care uncompromisingly central. From early mornings to high‑stakes decisions, Aquilina leads with clarity, purpose, and an eye for impact. In this feature, she reflects on leadership, strategy, and the choices that drive both teams and patients forward — without ever losing sight of why the work matters.
In conversation with Michelle Aquilina
I’m an early riser, usually up around 4.30am. I value that quiet window before the day gathers pace. I’ll start with a coffee, a quick scan of the news, and then off to the gym to clear my head. Breakfast is simple, something high protein and practical, because mornings for me are about fuel, not fuss. I try not to look at emails immediately. Instead, I map out the three things that really matter that day. Once I’m clear on my priorities, I’m ready to go.
Stepping into the CEO role during Covid, I quickly realised what mattered most. The first priority was clarity. Covid created enormous uncertainty for our team, our patients, and the broader health sector, so I focused on calm, consistent communication and leading with purpose, ensuring everyone understood our direction. My role was to be visible, decisive, and clear that we had a plan and would move forward together. Clear, focused, and deeply values-driven — that’s how I lead. In healthcare, standards are non-negotiable, so I set the bar high and bring absolute clarity to expectations.
Looking at MoleMap’s growth across New Zealand and Australia, it comes down to purpose: a relentless focus on our mission — detecting skin cancer early and saving lives. Growth hasn’t been about expansion for expansion’s sake, but about evolving to meet customer needs, investing in people and clinical excellence, building strong teams, and leveraging data and technology to ensure the patient experience is exceptional. When you combine purpose with strategy and operational discipline, momentum follows.
What advice would I give women stepping into leadership today? Own your ambition and don’t apologise for it. Build strong networks, seek mentors, and remember that authenticity and vulnerability are strengths. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who challenged my thinking, pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and helped me become my own leader. For me, power is about responsibility — creating opportunity, influencing outcomes, and shaping a culture where people can thrive. Real power is the ability to make a positive impact at scale.
And yes, I have a power outfit: a sharp tailored suit. Clean lines, strong structure, nothing fussy. Precision changes how you stand, how you think, how you lead. One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing the ripple effect of what we do — detecting a melanoma early can literally change someone’s life. I also love building teams and watching people grow into leadership roles themselves.
Looking ahead, I want MoleMap to set the global benchmark for skin cancer detection. Over the next five years, we’ll expand access to all communities, pilot at-home lesion monitoring, and evolve our technology to enhance the patient experience. If we combine scale, access, clinical rigour, and intelligent technology, we will not only grow, but redefine the standard of care.
Book your skin check at molemap.co.nz.
This artical originally featured in the autumn issue of Fashion Quarterly.
Words: Sophie de Renzy.
Imagery: Supplied.
