2024 Winners

Communications

Katherine Ziesing of Hanwha Defence Australia

In 2023, Katherine was key in communicating the announcement of Hanwha’s selection as preferred tenderer for Land 400 Phase 3. Media monitoring confirmed that in the first 24 hours, over 1 billion people saw that announcement globally. Then, HDA had its total contracted vehicle numbers cut by 72 percent after the Defence Strategic Review; in response, Katherine developed the ‘HDA is Here to Stay’ campaign confirming the company’s long-term commitment to Australia. Katherine also volunteers and mentors for women’s participation through a range of forums – and is, of course, also the founder of the ADM Women in Defence Awards themselves.

The Judges were impressed with Katherine’s achievements over the past 12 months, but also with the huge amount of volunteer, advocacy and mentoring work she does outside her role. The judges said: “She embodies the true spirit of WIDA and has clearly left a lasting impact on many women in the industry.”

Engineering

Nadya Haq of Downer Professional Services

Nadya Is the lead engineer for the SEA2273 project for Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships. Her notable achievements include the design and authorship of a critical Uninterrupted Power Supply advice document that benefits multiple Royal Australian Navy ships. She also single-handedly conducted an Electromagnetic Compliance analysis to ensure adherence to stringent military standards. Nadya runs the Technical and Engineering Community of Practice, organising sessions on defence-oriented engineering topics including AUKUS pillars, integration of artificial intelligence, nuclear engineering, and other relevant defence subjects. Nadya is pursuing a Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering while already holding a PhD.

The judges were greatly impressed by the depth and breadth of Nadya’s achievements in 2023, her commitment to extending and furthering her education, support of others in the Defence environment and her true passion for engineering. The references supplied by her supervisors, peers and those she mentors and supervises highlighted her achievements as a remarkable engineer.

Executive Management

Michelle Hogan of Core Defence Australia

Michelle is the Chief Operating Officer of Core Defence Australia.

In 2023, Michelle drove a significant increase in business for Core Defence Australia while simultaneously modernising and reforming the company’s culture and its Employee Value Proposition. During the year, Michelle helped increase Core Defence Australia’s client base by 37.5 per cent with an accompanying 34 per cent growth in revenue. Due to her reforms, most notably the introduction of a menstrual leave policy, female participation in Core Defence’s workforce grew by 25 per cent, with women now making up 40 per cent of the company’s workforce. In addition to making structural changes, Michelle personally mentored several new employees, helping to bring them up to speed about the company and defence more broadly.

The judges were impressed by the practical changes implemented by Michelle, namely Core Defence Australia’s menstrual leave policy, as well as her business acumen. During 2023 Michelle helped Core Defence Australia grow its client base by 37.5 per cent with an accompanying 34 per cent increase in revenue.

Indigenous

Rikki Cooper of BGIS

Rikki is the National Indigenous Engagement Manager at BGIS.

In 2023, Rikki Cooper travelled around Australia to deliver in-depth cultural awareness training to every individual BGIS employee, helping to promote a positive culture of inclusion and acceptance within the company. Rikki’s approach goes beyond just delivering training and packing up. She engages, listens and helps empower diverse employees within BGIS. In her role, Rikki has driven significant cultural change within BGIS, which has led to better outcomes across the board for the company, its clients and its employees.

The judging panel was impressed by the scale of Rikki’s achievements in 2023 as well as the impact on others that they have had. During the year, Rikki personally delivered cultural awareness training to every BGIS employee, contributing to positive cultural change within the organisation. Rikki’s work involved an inordinate amount of travel and personal sacrifice.

Legal and Contracting

Jen Willmer of BAE Systems Australia

Jen is a Senior Legal Counsel at BAE Systems Australia.

During 2023 Jen restructured the Legal function while doubling its personnel to enable the successful delivery of programs. This included leading negotiations between BAE, Lockheed Martin Australia, Saab Australia, and Department of Defence on the Combat Systems Integration Collaboration Agreement; supporting the negotiation team on Hunter Batch 1; proactively leading engagement with the Department of Home Affairs and Defence over the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act, and successfully driving legislative changes to better suit the practical realities of the shipyard; leading negotiations and placement of complex, high-value subcontracts with Australian and foreign companies whilst mitigating risk and leading

The judges were impressed by Jen’s work in managing multiple complex contracts and relationships. Jen championed agile ways of flexible working to suit team members particularly part-time working mothers, those going on/returning from maternity leave and those dealing with personal challenges. Having endured years of childhood physical abuse, sexual assault, and toxic top-tier private practice law firm culture, Jen role-models leadership with integrity and authenticity through open and honest discussions on psychosocial safety, and mental health. Following the death of her sexual assault perpetrator in 2023, Jen actively converted the re-enlivening of a traumatic experience into a positive message and debunked the stigma about the use of Employee Assistance Program services. This allowed women to feel comfortable about speaking up about their experiences, creating an inclusive environment.

Operations

Major Liz Daly of the Australian Army

Liz is a United Nations Military Observer in the Australian Army.

On October 7 2023, Hamas led surprise attacks against Israel from the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air. As an UNMO Liz, and two other UNMOs, found themselves unarmed and locked into an Observation Post (OP) on the Border of Israel-occupied Golan and Syria for the first 23 days of the conflict. She and another UNMO saved the compound from burning down when the fuel dump was threatened by fire. Liz is also completing a PhD part time focused on female Veteran Health.

In 2023 Liz found herself in an unexpected, highly dangerous situation, she did an exemplary job in not only saving the UN Observation Post and occupants from fire but managing the compound for the first 23 days of an ongoing conflict. She initiated Induction Training to educate the new UNMOs on unconscious bias, equality, and inclusivity. Liz co-created and runs a Peer Support program for junior health officers in Army.

People and Culture

Nikki was the Senior Chaplain Ethicist to the Royal Australian Air Force.

In August 2023, Nikki gave public evidence to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide about how the ADF handled her complaints regarding Unacceptable Behaviour (UB). Before Nikki’s public testimony, Defence had insisted that the results of UB investigations had to be kept confidential, even when UB was substantiated. As a result of Nikki’s 2023 public testimony and her quiet lobbying internally, the ADF fundamentally changed their approach to the privacy of those found guilty of UB – which will, over time, make the ADF a safer working environment for women. Nikki’s courage has led to a dramatic increase in notifications by women of recent and historic sexual assault, sexual harassment and bullying in the ADF.

The judges view Nikki’s courage, testimony and advocacy as a historic moment. Nikki left Defence to stand up for herself, for her values and for other women, and she has successfully challenged the ADF to change its culture at an immense personal cost. The scale of her achievement – and the sacrifice it required – is unparalleled in the history of this awards program and will create a generational impact for years to come.

Project Management

Michelle Baker of Boeing Autonomy Capability Hub for Australia and Boeing Defence Australia

Michelle is the Program Manager, Boeing Autonomy Capability Hub for Australia and New Zealand, at Boeing Defence Australia.

After more than 20 years of stewardship, Boeing handed the Defence High Frequency Communications Support Contract and Network and Operational Support Contract back to Defence and their incoming service provider. Michelle led the DHFCS team of 100, spanning six Australian locations. Throughout the transition, she ensured that the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and morale of the team was of paramount importance, which was key to the continued outstanding delivery of this important program for Defence.

Michelle managed the hand back of a contract, never an easy task, displaying exceptional leadership skills and emotional intelligence; demonstrating support, kindness, empathy, humility, respect, guidance, gratitude and clarity while her team worked through the stages of grief and loss. She maintained outstanding relationships with Defence and suppliers, despite the often difficult but necessary conversations. Michelle became the first Australian appointed to the Boeing Enterprise Board of the Boeing Women Inspiring: Leadership business resource group and was also a member of the BDA Gender Working Group, which drove the introduction of a Domestic and Family Violence Policy and the review of Parental Leave provisions.

Research and Development

Oleksandra Molloy of the University of New South Wales

Oleksandra is a Senior Lecturer in Aviation, and Aviation Program Coordinator, at the University of New South Wales Australian Defence Force Academy.

Oleksandra led the first evidence-based interview research across Australia and Ukraine with Defence, industry, government, and academia representatives to contribute to the growing interest and success around uncrewed systems in the air, sea, and land; may inform future Defence strategy and investments. She led the research in RAS-AI in Defence and partner with CAE to develop AI driven evaluation system for mission aviators. She is Chair of WOMEN@UNSW Canberra Champions Program, Director of Education of Women in Aviation Australian Chapter, Chair of the Women Network in Road Safety of the Australasian College of Road Safety.

The judges were impressed by the demonstrated practical outcomes of Oleksandra’s research into the use of Drones in Ukraine and the ethical implications of AI-enable decision support systems are of immediate and practical importance to the ADF. Oleksandra’s outreach, mentoring and promotion of cadets within ADFA and young women in general via Women in Aviation International (AU Chapter) and fund-raising work in aide of displaced children in Ukraine inspired the judging panel.

Rising Star

Alexandra Steele of Laing O’Rourke

Alexandra is a Graduate Engineer on the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct Redevelopment Project Barracks Redevelopment Project at Laing O’Rourke.

In 2023 Alexandra Steele moved to Darwin to deepen her knowledge of Defence and expose herself to the broader Defence ecosystem. As a Graduate Engineer with Laing O’Rourke, she flung herself into the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct Redevelopment Project, where she worked as a site engineer. In addition to her full-time work, she also created a nationally recognised Inspiring STEM+ program for high school-aged girls and young women in Darwin, which exposes them to construction and allows them to connect with the industry. In addition, she recruited, mentored, and onboarded four women into the organisation throughout the year.

The judges were impressed by the practical impacts that Alexandra’s volunteer work, in addition to her full-time job, have had on both the broader community and the reputation of defence industry. Alexandra’s tenacious decision to move to Darwin, which is among the harder places to work in Australia, as a graduate engineer and then to give back to the community was highly applauded.

Lietenant Isabella of the Royal Australian Navy

Isabella is a Marine Engineer Officer Submariner in the Royal Australian Navy.

During 2023 Isabella commenced training at HMS Sultan in the United Kingdom as part of the first cohort of Royal Australian Navy Officers to take part in the Royal Navy’s demanding Nuclear Reactor Course. While there are only very few female Marine Engineers within the submarine force, Isabella was among the first six Royal Australian Navy officers selected to undertake nuclear training with Australia’s AUKUS partners. She was not only the Dux of her course, but also a valued compatriot for the other participants, who she supported throughout their studies, demonstrating outstanding performance.

The judging panel was impressed by Isabella’s professional and academic achievements during 2023, not least her graduating as the Dux of the British Royal Navy’s Nuclear Reactor Course. Her reasons for joining the Australian Defence Force (ADF) were also highly praised by the judging panel, who expressed hope that she will serve as a role model for more Asian-Australians.

Technical Trade

Lance Corporal Victoria Hohnke of the Australian Army

Victoria is a Foreman Horizontal Construction, Construction Troop, 23 Support Squadron, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment in the Australian Army.

During 2023 Victoria was responsible for coordinating the maintenance of 22 pieces of plant, 27 Trucks of multiple descriptions (including heavy combinations), and many items of associated equipment for earthwork operations. She volunteered to conduct Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk, which saw her working with the JGSDF and F-FDTL in Timor-Leste to conduct road repair. She is the only female soldier in Construction Troop.

The judging panel was impressed by the many ways in which Victoria is a trailblazer for other women was highlighted by the judging panel. She is a shining example to not only women in Defence trades within Australia but also through her volunteer road construction work in East Timor.