Celia Torres-Villanueva

Experience

Celia Torres-Villanueva is a trusted advisor and commercial lawyer, an experienced board director in purpose-led organisations, a career mentor and adviser, and a former scientist and academic. As a lawyer admitted to practice in Australia and the Philippines with a PhD in biomedical sciences from the United States, she brings a unique combination of technical, legal, and strategic expertise and diverse background to her roles. Celia leverages her multidisciplinary background and global perspective to create positive impact and value for the organizations and individuals she works with.

With over 15 years of experience in strategic commercial, intellectual property, and contract management, Celia has successfully negotiated hundred-million-dollar contracts with and for Fortune500 and ASX100 companies, Australian Commonwealth and State government agencies, and universities and other organisations from around the world. Celia also has experience in US export control (ITAR, EAR) compliance.

Celia has led and managed multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative environment and empowering team members to enhance their professional development and maximise productivity. She has mentored early and mid-career professionals and university students from diverse backgrounds, helping them develop their careers with authenticity.

Celia is married to Zeus and has three adult children and two small dogs. As a family, they love to travel overseas and interstate, ride bikes on Victorian rail trails, and enjoy different cuisines as they discuss books over dinner amid a lot of friendly teasing and jokes. With no athletic aptitude, Celia enjoys reading, doing origami, and writing essays and stories in her spare time.