FULL EVENT PROGRAM

Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN

Chief of Navy Australia

Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO, RAN joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1986 as an Electronics Technician, before commissioning as a Naval Officer in 1988. Graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in 1990, Hammond served in frigates before volunteering for submarine service and qualifying in the Oberon class. He is a dual qualified officer, graduating from the RAN Principal Warfare Officers Course, and the Netherlands and USN Submarine Command Courses, and Australia’s Senior Submariner.

Hammond served extensively in Collins Class submarines. He also gained international experience in French, British and US nuclear attack submarines and Dutch conventional submarines. His Command of HMAS Farncomb included submarine operations across the Indo-Pacific. Subsequent shore postings included the Assistant Naval Attaché in Washington DC, Submarine Capability and Joint Exercise Staff roles, and 12 months as the Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force.

On promotion to Commodore, Hammond was appointed Director General Maritime Operations. Hammond then returned to the United States as the Liaison Officer to the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was awarded the United States Legion of Merit (Officer) for his performance in this role. On return to Australia in 2018 Hammond was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff roles.

On promotion to Rear Admiral in 2018, Hammond assumed duties as the Deputy Chief of Navy and, in late 2020, was appointed Commander of the Australian Fleet. In these demanding appointments Hammond first oversaw substantial workforce growth, and then focused on enhancing the resilience and warfighting capability of Navy’s people and Fleet during the COVID19 pandemic.

Vice Admiral Hammond assumed Command as Chief of Navy on 07 July 2022, the first RAN Recruit School and ADFA graduate to do so, and only the second submarine Commanding Officer to be appointed to the role. In 2023 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the Royal Australian Navy in senior command roles.

Vice Admiral Hammond holds a Bachelor of Science, Masters in Management and Masters in Maritime Studies, and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

Professor Gordon Flake

Chief Executive Officer
Perth USAsia Centre

Professor Gordon Flake is the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Perth USAsia Centre at The University of Western Australia.

Professor Flake is one of the world’s leading authorities on strategic developments in the Indo-Pacific. Having spent twenty-five years in the US foreign policy community focused on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia and now nine years in Australia’s Indian Ocean capital he is an expert on key strategic relationships in the broader Indo-Pacific. He has authored many scholarly and policy studies on security developments in the region, and their policy implications for the US and its regional partners.

Since establishing the Centre in 2014, Professor Flake has worked to build stronger international relationships between Australia, the US and the broader Indo-Pacific. He has led the growth of several major international conferences in Australia and the region; and established a range of high-level diplomatic and policy dialogues on issues of shared concern for the Indo-Pacific.

Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE ADC

First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff

Educated at Bromsgrove School, Ben Key joined the Royal Navy in 1984 as a University Cadet, subsequently graduating in Physics from Royal Holloway, University of London. He qualified as both helicopter aircrew and as a Principal Warfare Officer and as a junior officer saw service around the world in a variety of frigates and destroyers.

He has been privileged to command four ships: the mine hunter HMS SANDOWN, the frigates HMS IRON DUKE and HMS LANCASTER, and the aircraft carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS.

Shore appointments have included Resources and Plans in MOD, an advisor to the Iraqi Director Joint Staff in Baghdad, the UK’s Permanent Joint HQ, and HQ Air Command. He has also served as Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Defence Staff. From April 2013 to July 2015 he was Flag Officer Sea Training, responsible for recruiting as well as individual and operational training across the Royal Navy.

Promoted to Vice Admiral in February 2016, he was the Royal Navy’s Fleet Commander from then until March 2019. He then served as the Chief of Joint Operations, prior to his appointment as First Sea Lord in November 2021. He was awarded the US Bronze Star in 2006 for his service in Baghdad, appointed CBE in 2016 and KCB in 2021.

Ben and his wife Elly have 3 children and make their home in Dorset. He is a governor of a school founded by his grandmother, and holds Honorary Degrees from his old university and the University of Plymouth. A Freeman of the City of London and a Younger Brother of Trinity House, he holds a Diploma from the Institute of Directors and is an alumnus of the London Business School. Now much better at talking about sport than actually playing any, he is President of a number of Royal Navy and UK Armed Forces sports."

Vice Admiral Sir Nick Hine KCB

Babcock Managing Director - AUKUS & International, and former UK Royal Navy

Nick is Managing Director for Babcock plc leading on all AUKUS relationships and future programming and the lead for new international business. He moved to Babcock after 37 years’ service in the Royal Navy ultimately serving as Second Sea Lord, Chief Executive of the organisation.

Nick is a member of the board of Directors of Ultra Maritime and an adviser on maritime matters for Advent and Bain & Company consulting leading on strategic future capability. He is Chairman of the two UK secure companies Ultra PMES and Ultra Cyber ensuring UK Government equity is protected.

Hine’s military career was wide ranging - he spent the first twenty years of his career as a submariner on classified operations in the North Atlantic, the second in Command of HMS Splendid who tested and operationally employed the first Tomahawk missiles for the Royal Navy, then in Command of the nuclear submarine HMS Talent at 33. He also Commanded surface ships HMS Blackwater in the Northern Ireland troubles and then HMS Westminster. He spent a year under US Command in Baghdad leading on the reconstruction of the Iraqi Navy during the Iraq War in 2009. His senior Naval career took him from procurement to being the sole military adviser in HM Treasury working directly to the Chancellor, then into policy and strategy development and finally delivery as Second Sea Lord.

Nick is chairman of UK Charity Resources for Autism, bringing his own autistic experiences and change management skills to help the charity move to the next level in delivering world-beating support to individuals and their families.

Hine has taken on the Chairmanship of the ADS International group working to influence Government in support of industry and is a member of the Corbett Group, the influential
academic think tank for maritime matters.

Hine has been decorated by the UK and US Governments and was knighted in 2023.

Eric Chewning

Executive Vice President, Strategy & Development
HII Group

Eric D. Chewning is Executive Vice President of Strategy & Development for HII, an all-domain defense and technologies partner and America’s largest shipbuilder.

Eric was named to the position in January 2023. He has over 20 years of experience across government and industry working issues at the intersection of national security, technology, and business.

Prior to joining HII, he co-led McKinsey & Company’s Aerospace & Defense practice in the Americas.

While in government, Eric was the Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of Defense. In this role he led the Secretary’s executive team, working across the military services, Joint Staff, Combatant Commanders, and senior civilian political appointees. He also provided counsel and advice to the Secretary on all matters concerning the Department.

Prior to serving as the Chief of Staff, Eric was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy. In this capacity, he was the principal advisor for analyzing the capabilities, policies, and overall health of America’s defense industrial base.

A former U.S. Army military intelligence officer, he is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Prior to his military service, Eric was an investment banker at Morgan Stanley & Co. where he focused on corporate finance and mergers & acquisitions in the global industrials sector.

Eric received a MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia where he was recognized as a Shermet Scholar. He also earned a MA in international relations and BA with honors from the University of Chicago. He is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Dr Kurt Campbell

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE

Kurt M. Campbell was confirmed by the Senate on February 6, 2024, and sworn in as the 22nd Deputy Secretary of State on February 12, 2024. Prior to assuming this position, Deputy Secretary Campbell served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the National Security Council. He was previously founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Asia Group, LLC, a strategic advisory and capital management group. From 2009 to 2013, Campbell served as the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Earlier, he was the CEO and Co-Founder of the Center for a New American Security and concurrently served as the Director of the Aspen Strategy Group and Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Washington Quarterly.

Among the other positions he has held during his distinguished career, Campbell served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs, White House Fellow at the Treasury Department, and as Director of the Democracy Office at the National Security Council during the Clinton Administration. Campbell was an Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He is the author or editor of ten books including The Pivot: The Future of American Statecraft in Asia, Difficult Transitions: Why Presidents Fail in Foreign Policy at the Outset of Power, and Hard Power: The New Politics of National Security. He received his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego and his Doctorate in international relations from Brasenose College at Oxford University where he was a Distinguished Marshall Scholar. Campbell is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award.

Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy

Director General of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)

Ambassador Sujan Chinoy is the Director General of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi since 2019. A career diplomat from 1981-2018, he held several important diplomatic assignments, including as Ambassador to Japan. He is the Chair of the Think20 engagement group for India’s G20 Presidency.

Authority on: China, East Asia and politico-military and security issues.

Linda Dawson

Deputy Director General, Industry Science Innovation
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Linda Dawson is a senior executive with more than 25 years’ experience working in large Australian and multinational organisations across the resources and utilities sectors. Over Linda’s career she has led corporate services, community development, human resources, health safety and environment, corporate affairs and operational functions. Linda currently works for the Department of Jobs Tourism Science and Innovation in the Western Australian Government, as Deputy Director General Industry Science Innovation. 

Linda has a strong belief in equality and respect for all in society, learning from our First Nations people, empowering women and giving back to the community. She has been a Chair of the MCA Indigenous Community of Practice, mentor with WIMWA and a past Chair of the CMEWA Pilbara Regional Council. Linda is currently a Board Member of Workpower, Vice Chairperson of Midland Women’s Health Care Place and a Member of the Sir Charles Gardiner and Osborne Park Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee. She holds a Masters of Education and Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Western Australia, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Certified Professional of the Australian Human Resource Institute and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

The Honourable Pat Conroy MP

Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for International Development and the Pacific and the Federal Member for Shortland.

The Hon. Pat Conroy MP is the Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for International Development and the Pacific and the Federal Member for Shortland.

Pat was elected to the House of Representatives as the Member for Charlton, New South Wales in 2013 and, following an electoral redistribution, as the Member for Shortland, New South Wales in 2016 and again in 2019 and 2022.

From 2016 to 2019, Pat was Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure. In 2019, he was appointed Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Shadow Minister Assisting for Defence and Shadow Minister Assisting for Climate Change and Energy.

From 2008 to 2013, he was Principal Policy Adviser and then Deputy Chief of Staff to the Hon. Greg Combet, AM, MP, who served as a Minister in the Rudd and Gillard Labor Governments. In these roles, Pat worked in developing significant policies in areas including Defence Materiel, Defence Science and Industry and Innovation.

Born in 1979, Pat was raised on the NSW Central Coast and went on to study Economics at the University of Sydney, graduating with Honours in 2000.

Pat is married with two children and lives in his electorate of Shortland which covers the Eastern Lake Macquarie area and the Northern Central Coast. He enjoys cooking, playing rugby union and watching rugby league.

Admiral Gary Roughead (Rtd)

Former US Navy Chief of Naval Operations, Hoover Institution at Stanford University

Admiral Roughead is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy whose naval career culminated in serving as the Chief of Naval Operations, the senior officer in the U.S. Navy.  In that role he was a member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Prior to that he held six operational commands and is one of only two officers in the Navy’s history to have commanded both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. 

In assignments ashore he served as the Commandant, U.S. Naval Academy and was the Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs responsible for the Department of the Navy’s interaction with Congress.   Admiral Roughead was also the Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command during the massive relief effort following the 2004 tsunami in South and Southeast Asia.   

Admiral Roughead is the Robert and Marion Oster Distinguished Military Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.  He serves on the boards of directors of the Northrop Grumman Corporation, Maersk Line, Limited, and is a Trustee of Dodge and Cox Funds.  He is a Trustee of the Johns Hopkins University, serves on the Board of Managers of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, is the Chair of the National Academy of Sciences Naval Studies Board, chairs the U.S. Export Import Bank’s Council on China Competion, and advises the Institute for Maritime Policy and Strategy Research in Haifa, Israel.. 

He co-chaired the Congressionally appointed commission that reviewed the Trump administration’s National Defense Strategy,and co-chaired a Council on Foreign Relations Task Force addressing America’s response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.  He is active in policy fora with Japan and China. 

Admiral Lisa Marie Franchetti

Chief of Naval Operations

Adm. Lisa Franchetti is a native Rochester, New York. She received her commission in 1985 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Northwestern University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. She holds a master's degree in organizational management from the University of Pheonix.

Her operational tours include auxiliaries officer and first division officer on USS Shenandoah (AD 44); navigator and jumboization coordinator onboard USS Monongahela (AO178); operations officer on USS Moosbrugger (DD 980); combat systems officer and chief staff officer for Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2; executive officer of USS Stout (DDG 55); and assistant surface operations officer on USS George Washington Strike Group. She commanded USS Ross (DDG 71) and DESRON-21, embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). She also served as commander of Pacific Partnership 2010, embarked on USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).

Ashore, Franchetti's assignments include commander, Naval Reserve Centre Central Point, Oregon; aide to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations; protocol officer for the commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; 4th Battalion officer at the U.S. Naval Academy; diversion chief, Joint Concept Developmemt and Experimentation, on the Joint Staff, J7; deputy director of International Engagement and executive assistant to N3/N5 on the Navy staff; and military assistant to the Secretary of the Navy.

Her flag assignments include commander, U.S Naval Forces Korea; commander, Carrier Strike Group 9; commander, Carrier Strike Group 15; chief of staff, Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5) Joint Staff; commander, U.S 6th Fleet/commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO/deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa; deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development, N7; director for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5), Joint Staff; and Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Franchetti assumed the duties as Chief of Naval Operations Nov. 2, 2023.

Her personal awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (five awards), Meritorious Service Medal (six awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards). 

The Honourable Andrew Hastie MP

Shadow Minister for Defence

The Hon Andrew Hastie MP is a member of the Australian Parliament, representing the electorate of Canning in the House of Representatives. Mr Hastie completed a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History and Philosophy through the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy. In 2006, he graduated officer training at the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

In 2009, Mr Hastie deployed to Afghanistan as a Cavalry Troop Leader. In 2010, he was selected for service with the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) as a Troop Commander, taking commands in maritime and special reconnaissance capabilities. He deployed to Afghanistan again in 2013 as a Troop Commander with the Australian Special Operations Task Group. During his service with the SASR, he deployed to various theatres in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. Mr Hastie resigned from the ADF in 2015 to successfully contest the Canning by-election for the Liberal Party of Australia. He was re-elected in the general elections of 2016, 2019, and 2022. Mr Hastie has served as Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security from January 2017 to December 2020, and as Assistant Minister for Defence from December 2020 to May 2022. Mr Hastie was appointed the Shadow Minister for Defence in June 2022, following the general election. He was appointed Shadow Minister for Defence Industry; Defence Personnel in March 2024, along with his ongoing responsibilities as Shadow Minister for Defence. Andrew Hastie lives in Mandurah, Western Australia, with his wife Ruth and their three young children, Jonathan, Beatrice and Jemimah.

Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead AO RAN

Director General
Australian Submarine Agency

Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead has been appointed as the inaugural Director-General of the Australian Submarine Agency. Prior to taking up this position Vice Admiral Mead led the Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce, within the Department of Defence. The Taskforce worked with the United States and United Kingdom to identify the pathway for Australia to acquire conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines.

Vice Admiral Mead joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1984. On completion of initial training, he commenced Mine Clearance Diving and Explosive Ordnance training; and served as Executive Officer of Clearance Diving Team One. In 1993, he trained as a Principal Warfare Officer, which was followed by sea postings as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer of HMA Ships Melbourne and Arunta, and Executive Officer of HMAS Arunta.

In 2005, Vice Admiral Mead assumed the position as Commanding Officer of the frigate HMAS Parramatta. He saw active service in the North Arabian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst, with the ship’s efforts recognised with a Meritorious Unit Citation in 2007 and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his exceptional service in warlike conditions. During 2007, Vice Admiral Mead undertook studies at the National Defence College of New Delhi and was appointed Australia’s Defence Adviser to the Republic of India.

In 2010, Vice Admiral Mead returned to Canberra to take up the position as Director Naval Personnel Policy. Following his promotion to Commodore in July 2011, he deployed to Bahrain as Commander of Combined Task Force 150 (Maritime Counter Terrorism) on Operation Slipper, and was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service.

On promotion to Rear Admiral in January 2015, he spent the next three years as the Head of Navy Capability in Canberra. From January 2018 to November 2020, Vice Admiral Mead served as Commander of the Australian Fleet. In June 2020, Vice Admiral Mead was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia for his service to the Royal Australian Navy in senior management and command roles. Upon promotion to Vice Admiral in November 2020, he assumed the position as Chief of Joint Capabilities and Command of Joint Capabilities Group.

In September 2021, he was selected as the Chief of the Nuclear Powered Submarine Taskforce, and from 1 July 2023 he commenced as the inaugural Director-General of the Australian Submarine Agency.

Vice Admiral Mead holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations, a Master’s Degree in Management, and a PhD in International Relations. He has published a book on Indian national security.

Rear Admiral Philip Spedding DSC AM RAN (Rtd)

Western Australian Defence Advocate

Philip Spedding assumed the role of Defence Advocate in January 2023. He provides independent advice to the Western Australian Government and promotes the State’s Defence industry capability and capacity through effectively liaising with senior decision-makers in Canberra.

His position plays a critical role in achieving the Western Australian Government’s economic diversification agenda and ensuring that the State is awarded with all relevant naval shipbuilding, submarine sustainment and general defence support work.

With a highly distinguished career spanning over four decades in the Royal Australian Navy, Philip is the most suitable representative to achieve the Western Australian Government’s defence industry objectives.

His permanent naval service included overseas exchanges and multiple sea commands. His operational experience included fisheries and border protection, service in Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia and Fiji, and multiple deployments to the Middle East.

Promoted to the Navy senior leadership group as a Commodore in 2009, he held positions focused on operational planning, organisational risk, and preparedness. After transitioning from full time to reserve service in 2015, he undertook further appointments focusing on joint and combined training, capability planning and management, and infrastructure development.

Selected for promotion to Rear Admiral in 2020, Philip undertook specialist reviews into Australia’s future submarine capability requirements, and the optimal location for an East Coast submarine base.

His outstanding service and contribution to the nation and allied forces has been recognised through the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia, a Commendation for Distinguished Service, and the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2009, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his exceptional performance as a Coalition Task Group Commander during a Middle-East Region operation.

Philip formed his own consultancy business in 2020 and has since provided support to several clients across industry and academia. For three years, he also provided specialist advice on maritime sustainment infrastructure to the Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group. He sits on the management and advisory boards of several defence focused companies.

In support of his clients, Philip draws upon a broad range of skills acquired during his 41 years of military service, and an extensive network across Defence, Government and industry. He is passionate about working to understand requirements, delivering innovative solutions to problems, and delivering results.

Philip and his wife Karen live in Canberra and have two adult daughters.

The Honourable Matt Keogh MP

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel and the Federal Member for Burt.

The Hon. Matt Keogh MP is Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel and the Federal Member for Burt.

Matt was first elected to the House of Representatives for Burt, Western Australia in 2016. In Opposition, Matt served as Shadow Minister for Defence Industry, WA Resources and Assisting for Small Business.

Prior to taking on his portfolio responsibilities, Matt served on a wide range of committees including the House of Representatives standing committees on Economics, Agriculture and Water Resources, and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services.

Born and raised in Kelmscott, Matt attended school in Armadale and went on to study law at the University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle and London. 

Before entering Parliament, Matt’s legal career started in a local Kelmscott firm before working as a Federal Prosecutor focusing on corporate crime. Matt then joined the litigation practice of a leading international law firm in Perth specialising in financial services regulatory, anti-bribery and corruption work.

Throughout his legal career Matt worked alongside various organisations to benefit the community including as Chairperson of local family and domestic violence service, Starick, President of the Law Society of Western Australia, a Director of the Law Council of Australia and Chairperson of Law Access WA.

Matt and his wife Annabel have two children.

The Honourable Paul Papalia CSC MLA

Minister for Police; Corrective Services; Defence Industry; Veterans Issues

Paul was born in Bunbury and raised in the small south west town of Burekup.

Paul and his wife Gillian were self-employed in small business when he was approached to consider pre-selection for WA Labor in the lead up to the Peel byelection in late 2006. 

Paul was elected to the seat of Peel in February 2007, then elected to the new seat of Warnbro in September 2008 and re-elected to that seat in 2013, 2017 and 2021. 

Paul served in the Shadow Ministry after WA Labor lost office in 2008 as Shadow Minister for Tourism, Local Government, Education, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, Corrective Services and Defence Issues. 

In March 2017 Paul was appointed as a Minister in the new McGowan Government, with the portfolios for Tourism, Racing and Gaming, Small Business, Defence Issues, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests. 

Following the State Election in 2021, Paul was appointed as the Minister for Police, Road Safety, Defence Industry and Veterans Issues. 

 In December 2023, Paul was appointed as the Minister for Police, Corrective Services, Racing and Gaming; Defence Industry and Veterans Issues.

Izaak Gurney

Senior Program Manager, Space Cyber and Information Systems
KBR

Izaak Gurney is KBR’s Senior Program Manager, Space Cyber and Information Systems. He joined KBR in 2023 after more than six years of service in the Royal Australian Navy and four years with Defence.

Career highlights include – Graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science with Distinction, receiving the RAN Dux of Science and the Megan Anne Pelly Award.

Posting to HMAS Newcastle in 2018 and participated in Exercise Kakadu, Ocean Explorer, AUSINDEX and Indo Pacific Endeavour, before decommissioning HMAS Newcastle. Aide de Camp to Chief Joint Operations in 2022, supporting multiple overseas engagements and several domestic and overseas operational taskings. 2022 selection by the Chief of Navy to represent the RAN in the Australian American Leadership Dialogue (Young Leaders Dialogue) Program. Izaak also has a Masters of Cyber Security through UNSW.

Dr Allan du Toit AM

Chairman
JFD Australia

Dr Allan du Toit AM, Chair of JFD Australia, retired from full time naval service as a Rear Admiral in 2016. 

He commanded HMAS Tobruk during peacekeeping operations in Bougainville, the Australian Amphibious Task Group, the multi-national maritime interception force enforcing UN sanctions against Iraq, Combined Task Force 158 in the Persian Gulf, and Border Protection Command.

He also served in a wide range of single-service and joint appointments ashore, including as Australia’s military representative to NATO in Brussels. Allan has written and lectured on historical and contemporary naval affairs both in Australia and abroad and is an adjunct senior lecturer and member of the Naval Studies Group at UNSW Canberra. He served as President of the Australian Naval Institute from 2011-13.

Denise Goldsworthy AO

Independent Non-Executive Chair, Gascoyne Gateway

As Founder of Alternate Futures, Ms Goldsworthy AO connects research organisations, tech start-ups and industry, delivering solutions to problems.  Her expertise in innovation was honed during her executive career rising to leadership roles in operations and technology for BHP and Rio Tinto.

Denise has a portfolio of NED roles which includes Chancellor at Edith Cowan University, Chair of Western Power, Gascoyne Gateway and Navy Clearance Diver Trust, the Boards of Leichhardt Industrials and until recently the Board of ASC.

She was awardeded Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year in 2010 and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Dr Joanne Lackenby

Consultant
KBR, as part of the Frazer-Nash Consultancy

Dr Joanne Lackenby (Jo) has 15 years’ experience in the Australian nuclear sector, the majority at the OPAL research reactor at ANSTO. Here she specialised in nuclear safety, licensing and regulation, and was also involved in the repatriation of radioactive waste from reprocessing. She recently joined Frazer-Nash Consultancy where she continues to provide nuclear expertise, including in radioactive waste management.

Jo is a TEDxSydney speaker and holds degrees in environmental and geotechnical engineering. Jo holds degrees in environmental and geotechnical engineering.

Gideon Weiss

Corporate Vice President International Business Development
RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd

Gideon Weiss Corporate Vice President International Business Development RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. 

In October 2021, Mr. Gideon Weiss was appointed as Corporate Vice President for International Business Development, after completing over four years as Vice President for business development, marketing and strategy, at Rafael’s Air & C4 ISR Systems Division (2017-2021). In this new role, Mr. Weiss is responsible for leading, directing and coordinating marketing, business development and sales activities across Rafael’s international markets, working with Rafael’s three business divisions, country managers and international representations.

Previously, from July 2011 until August of 2017, Mr. Weiss served as Vice President for Business Development at RAFAEL USA, Inc., out of Bethesda MD, a US company representing Rafael in the US. Mr. Weiss joined Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. in 1993, working numerous business development, marketing and sales projects including contract negotiations, industry cooperation and teaming agreements in the areas of airto-air missiles, tactical missiles, naval and electronic warfare systems, directed energy, airto-surface systems and Ballistic Missile Defense. Mr. Weiss graduated the Israeli Air Force Flight Academy with honors in 1985 as a fighter pilot. During his ten years of active service, Mr. Weiss flew Kfir C-7s, A-4 Skyhawks and in most of his career F-15s, where he earned over 2,500 flight hours. During his service at his operational F-15 squadron, Mr. Weiss commanded the graduate fighter training phase at the IAF Flight Academy and served in various commanding posts, including deputy squadron commander. 

From 1993 until 2011, during his work at Rafael, Mr. Weiss continued to serve as an active reserve F-15 pilot and held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. Weiss studied mechanical engineering and business administration at the Tefen College, Upper Galilee. His hobbies include running, cycling, swimming, folk-dancing and woodworking. Mr. Weiss is married to Dorit Weiss and they have four children

Professor Peter Dean

Director, Foreign Policy and Defence
United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney

Jennifer Parker

Expert Associate
National Security College, Australian National University

Jennifer Parker is an Expert Associate at the National Security College, Australian National University and an Adjunct Fellow in naval studies at the University of New South Wales Canberra. Jennifer also holds the position of Nancy Bentley Associate Fellow in Indo-Pacific Maritime Affairs at the Council on Geostrategy. 

Jennifer hosts and produces the weekly Maritime matters podcast the Australian Naval Institute's Saltwater Strategists podcast focused on Indo-Pacific maritime affairs.

Published in a number of major Australian newspapers, Jennifer is regularly featured in Australian and international print, digital, radio and TV media.

Jennifer has served for more than 20 years with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). During her time in the RAN Jennifer specialised as a Principal Warfare Officer, including undertaking deep specialist training with the Royal Navy in Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer.

Jennifer has extensive operational experience from the Middle East to the Caribbean, and most areas in between. She has undertaken a series of naval appointments nationally and internationally in areas including force design strategy, career management, international exercise planning and operations. That included service as an exchange officer with the Royal Navy.

Jennifer’s last appointment in the RAN was as Director of Operations in Bahrain of the Combined Maritime Forces, a 38-nation coalition promoting national security in the Middle East and Indian Ocean region.

Erich Hofmann

Managing Director
Hofmann Engineering

In 2003 Mr Erich Hofmann was appointed Managing Director of Hofmann Engineering Pty Ltd. The company was founded by his father (John) and by his Uncle (Erich) in 1969. Erich has been involved and grown with Hofmann Engineering since its humble beginnings in a small backyard workshop when he was 5 years old.

After graduating in 1986 from The University of Western Australia with Honours in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in gear design and manufacture, Erich spent a few years honing his skills by working with some of the World’s leading gear manufacturers in Germany, Switzerland and USA. Using some of the skills learnt from this trip, Erich developed Hofmann’s gear manufacturing capabilities to being one of the largest gear manufacturers in this part of the world.

Erich has been invited to participate in numerous Government Committees including Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council, Manufacturing Leaders Group and Resource Sector Supplier Advisory Forum and many more. 

Hofmann Engineering provides specialised engineering services to Australian and International industry leaders. With a commitment to continuous quality improvement and a belief that innovation and technological change is the essence of survival, Hofmann Engineering is continually developing and refining new processes and methodologies as an integral part of the business.

Hofmann Engineering is also dedicated to training and has an ongoing commitment to Apprentice and Engineer training. We have a dedicated apprentice and engineer training programs that encompasses the most advanced manufacturing technologies that utilizes industry 4.0 systems.

As an Executive Director of Hofmann Engineering, Erich Hofmann has steered the business units such as Energy, Mining, Manufacture, Defence, Aerospace, Rail, Sugar, Cement and others. With green energy we have been involved with Wind, Hydro, Tidal, Wave and Solar.

As Managing Director, Erich has worked hard to keep Hofmann Engineering strong in a very competitive market environment and since taking over in 2003 he has orchestrated the companies continual growth and purchase of additional branches (most with workshops attached) in Australia; including Melbourne, Bendigo and Newcastle and internationally in Chile, Peru, Canada, India and China. This now sees half of our products exported around the world.

Erich is a long term member of the AGMA (American Gear Manufacturing Association) and has presented gear technology and engineering papers at international conferences worldwide.

Darshi Ganeson-Oats

Managing Director
South Metro Tafe

Darshi is the Managing Director of South Metropolitan TAFE, leading a dynamic team of 1500 professionals and making a difference in the lives of over 30,000 students. Prior to this role, she led South Regional TAFE as its Managing Director from 2021 to 2023. Darshi 's career spans various executive positions in vocational education, including her time at Challenger Institute of Technology.

She also made significant contributions as a Consultant at Cardno ACIL, focusing on capacity building in Fiji's Education Sector Program. Her international experience extends to roles in Business Development with AXA Insurance and MTV Viacom in London. Earlier in her career, Darshi worked as a Performance Analyst with the Office of the Auditor General and as an economist with the Au stralian Bureau of Statistics in Canberra.

In addition, Darshi dedicated six impactful years as a board member at the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania, concluding her tenure in January 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the Unive rsity of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma of Computing from Curtin University. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Darshi's goal is to drive skill enhancement and workforce development, aiming to be a catalyst for economic success in Western Australia and beyond.

Lisa Curtis

Director Indo-Pacific Security Program
Center for a New American Security

Lisa Curtis is Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. She is a foreign policy and national security expert with over 20 years of service in the U.S. government. Her work has centered on U.S. policy toward the Indo-Pacific and South Asia. From 2017 to 2021, Curtis served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South and Central Asia at the NSC. From 2006–2017, Curtis was Senior Fellow on South Asia at The Heritage Foundation, where she appeared regularly in the media and provided frequent Congressional testimony. She also served as Professional Staff Member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (2003-2006), Senior Advisor in the South Asia Bureau at the State Department (2001-2003), senior analyst on South Asia at the CIA (1998-2001), and as a diplomat at the U.S. Embassies in Pakistan and India (1994 to 1997).

Curtis received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service in December 2020 in recognition of her work at the NSC. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty and is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Paddy Gregg

Chief Executive Officer
Austal

Patrick (Paddy) Gregg was promoted to the position of Austal’s Chief Executive Officer on 1 January 2021, following 4 years as Austal’s Chief Operating Officer. 

 Paddy is a highly regarded senior leader with significant project management, manufacturing and business experience acquired within the high-technology nuclear defence industry, Rail Industry and Naval Shipbuilding Industry.
Prior to joining Austal, Paddy was the Route Delivery Director (Western) for Network Rail in the United Kingdom. In this role he was responsible for all major infrastructure enhancements and renewals on the Route. 

Paddy has extensive experience in the naval sector having worked for BAE Systems Submarines, based in Barrow-in-Furness. Paddy was the Head of Project for the second Astute Class hunter killer nuclear submarine build. In this role he worked closely with both the Ministry of Defence and Navy to ensure the project was successfully delivered. 

As Chief Operating Officer at Austal, Paddy had responsibility for the shipbuilding and sustainment operations in Australia, Philippines and Vietnam. This responsibility covered both new build of commercial and naval vessels, and the sustainment stream of the business focussed support for Australian Border Force and Royal Australian Navy. 

As Chief Executive Officer, Paddy joins the Board of Austal Limited and oversees a global company comprising 5 shipyards and 8 service centres in 4 countries, with more than 4,000 employees worldwide. 

Paddy is a Chartered Engineer and fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, with a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and a Masters in Business Administration from the Warwick Business School.

The Honourable Kim Beazley AC

Former Minister for Defence and Australian Ambassador to the US
Chair of the Perth USAsia Centre

The Honourable Kim Beazley AC was the 33rd Governor of Western Australia (2018-2022).

Prior to being installed as Governor, Mr Beazley dedicated almost three decades to a career in Federal Parliament, representing the WA seats of Brand and Swan.

In 2009, Mr Beazley was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for service to the Parliament of Australia through contributions to the development of government policies in relation to defence and international relations, and as an advocate for Indigenous people, and to the community.

Mr Beazley was born in Perth, Western Australia. He completed a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts at the University of Western Australia. In 1973, he was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship for Western Australia and completed a Masters of Philosophy at Oxford University.

Mr Beazley was a Minister in the Hawke and Keating Labor Governments (1983-1996) holding, at various times, the portfolios of Defence, Finance, Transport and Communications, Employment Education and Training, Aviation, and Special Minister of State.

From 1995 to 1996, Mr Beazley was Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from 1996 to 2001, and 2005 to 2006. Mr Beazley served on parliamentary committees, including the Joint Intelligence Committee and the Joint Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee. After his retirement from politics in 2007, Mr Beazley was appointed Winthrop Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at The University of Western Australia.

In July 2008 he was appointed Chancellor of the Australian National University, a position he held until December 2009.

Mr Beazley took up an appointment as Ambassador to the United States of America in February 2010. He served as Ambassador until January 2016.

Mr Beazley is currently Chair of the Perth USAsia Centre Board, Board Member of Luerssen Australia, Senior Distinguished Fellow of the Australian Strategic Policy Intitute, Advisor to Lockheed Martin Australia, Chair of the Council for the Australian War Memoiral and Advisor to TG & Associates.

Vice Admiral (USN Rtd) David Johnson

Vice President L3Harris International
L3Harris Technologies

Vice Admiral Retired Dave Johnson, now serving as Vice President L3Harris International, will present a compelling discourse on "Global Industries' Role in Building a Sovereign Ready Nuclear Submarine Sustainment Team." Drawing from his distinguished tenure as the former Principal Military Deputy to ASN RDA, Program Executive Officer Submarines for the US Navy and his hands-on experience in the construction, modernization and sustainment of Ohio, Virginia and Seawolf class submarines, Vice Admiral Johnson will offer unique insights into the cultivation of sovereign capabilities within the framework of the AUKUS alliance. 

His talk will emphasize the strategic fusion of international collaboration and local industry empowerment, informed by his direct involvement with the Virginia, Collins, and Astute Class submarine programs. Vice Admiral Johnson will outline a vision where global defense leaders like L3Harris play a pivotal role in transferring technology, enhancing local skill sets, and integrating cutting-edge practices to establish a self-sufficient, sovereign sustainment team for nuclear submarines. This initiative is not only crucial for national security but also for fostering regional maritime stability and operational excellence in the Indian Ocean theater.

Professor Rory Medcalf

Head of National Security College
Australian National University

Professor Rory Medcalf AM FAIIA has been Head of the National Security College (NSC) at the Australian National University since 2015. He has led the expansion of the College into policy impact, futures analysis, parliamentary engagement, international dialogue and capacity-building, in addition to its core activity in executive development, academic education and research. It is trusted as a go-to institution in Australia’s security landscape, with exceptional networks and an alumni of more than 10,000 policy practitioners.

Rory Medcalf’s professional background involves three decades of experience across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, academia and journalism, including as founding Director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute from 2007 to 2015. In government, he worked as a senior strategic analyst with the then Office of National Assessments (now the Office of National Intelligence), Canberra’s peak intelligence analysis agency. He was also an Australian diplomat, with wide experience including a posting to New Delhi, a secondment to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, truce monitoring after the conflict in Bougainville and policy development on Asian security institutions. He has contributed to three landmark reports on nuclear arms control: the 1996 Canberra Commission, 1999 Tokyo Forum and 2009 International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. His earlier work in journalism was commended in Australia’s leading media awards, the Walkleys, in 1991.

Professor Medcalf has been prominent in developing Australia’s relations with India, and convenes informal diplomatic dialogues (‘track 1.5’ and ‘track 2’) with many Indo-Pacific powers. He has been recognised as a thought leader internationally for his work on the Indo-Pacific concept of the Asian strategic environment, as articulated in his 2020 book Contest for the Indo-Pacific (released internationally as Indo-Pacific Empire and translated into Japanese and Chinese).

He was an independent adviser to the Australian Government’s 2016 Defence White Paper. He is a member of the editorial board of the Australian Journal of International Affairs. He has been a Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Brookings Institution and the Lowy institute. His is a member of the Board of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, the ASEAN Regional Forum Register of Experts and Eminent Persons, and the Scientific Advisory Council of the Finnish Institute for International Affairs.

In 2022, Professor Medcalf was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to international relations and tertiary education. That year he was also recognised with a commendation from the Japanese Foreign Minister for services to Australia-Japan relations. In 2023, he was appointed a Fellow of the Australian Institute for International Affairs (FAIIA) for contributions to understanding of the Indo-Pacific.

His Excellency Mr. Gabriele Visentin

EU Ambassador to Australia

Prior to his arrival in Australia, Ambassador Visentin was the first-ever  EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific.

Mr. Visentin previously served as the Head of the Parliamentary Affairs Division in the European External Action Service (EAAS) in Brussels. Earlier in his career, he was an official of the European Commission and served in the Directorate General for External Relations.

Mr. Visentin was also Head of Cabinet to the last President of the ECSC (European Community for Steel and Coal) and Advisor on European affairs to the Italian Minister of Industry, Energy and International Trade.

Mr. Visentin holds a degree in Law and is specialised in International and Community Law.

Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm AM CSM RAN

Head Patrol Boats & Specialist Ships, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group
Department of Defence

Rear Admiral (RADM) Wendy Malcolm commenced as Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships within Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group on 2 November 2022. Born and bred in Victoria, Wendy joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1987, graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1989 having completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Physics. 

Wendy trained as a Supply Officer (Maritime Logistics Officer) at HMAS Cerberus in 1990 and saw service ashore and at sea. During the period 1995-1998, Wendy was involved with setting up the in-service support for the Anzac Class frigates through the Anzac Class Logistics Office within Naval Support Command. Between 1998-2000, Wendy served as the Supply Officer in the guided missile frigate HMAS Newcastle including operational service in East Timor as part of Operation WARDEN. 

Wendy was posted to the Directorate of Naval Officers Postings from February 2000 to December 2001 and during this period completed a Masters in Commercial Law. A challenging and rewarding posting in the then-Defence Materiel Organisation followed as the Project Manager for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Project during the period of this weapons introduction into service. Wendy was promoted to Captain as Director Anzac Systems Program Office in 2010. In this capacity, she was responsible for maintenance, logistics support and in-service engineering for the RAN’s eight Anzac Class frigates and shore facilities in Fleet Base East (Sydney) and Fleet Base West (Rockingham). Wendy was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal in the 2015 Australia Day Honours List “for meritorious devotion to duty as the Anzac System Program Office Director”. 

Wendy left the Navy in 2015 to take up a position with Saab Australia as the Transition Manager for the new support enterprise for the Anzac ships, before returning to Navy in 2017 and appointed as Director General Specialist Ships with responsibility for sustainment of Patrol Boats, Pacific Patrol Boats, Hydrographic Vessels, Minehunters, Mine warfare and diving systems.  On 7 December 2018, Wendy was promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed as Head Maritime Systems within Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group with responsibility for acquisition and delivery of all specialist, patrol, and minor maritime vessels. Wendy was appointed  a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours List “for exceptional service in surface ship sustainment in the Australian Defence Force”.

The Honourable David Johnston

Former Minister for Defence

Born and educated in Perth in Western Australia, David attended Wesley College from 1967 – 1973 and then graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1981 with law degrees B.Juris LL.B.

David was elected to the Australian Parliament as a Senator for Western Australia in 2001 for the Liberal Party and was a Senator for 15 years.

Prior to that he was a Barrister and Solicitor in Western Australia practicing in the areas of Mining and Crime and lived and worked on the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia for 12 years before returning to Perth to continue in the Law as a Barrister and In-House Counsel providing advice and representation mainly pertaining to mining matters in Western Australia.

In Parliament David was inter alia, chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee, was appointed by Prime Minister Howard as Minister for Justice and Customs in 2007, was Opposition spokesperson as Shadow Minister on Minerals Energy and Tourism and then Defence from 2009 to 2013 and then Minister for Defence 2013 and 2014.

David has a strong commitment to Australian Defence Industry and the current Australian Government’s budgetary support of the Defence portfolio particularly focussing upon Australian naval ship and submarine building.

David has previously sat on the Board of SAAB Technologies Australia, International SOS (advisory board), The Centre for Defence Industry Capability (advisory board), The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (Council), Pelican Clean Energy Pty Ltd (LNG wholesaler), is an adjunct Professor at UWA, is Chair of the University’s Defence and Security Institute, was a Governor of Sail Training Ship Leeuwin and was for five years the Commonwealth’s Advocate for Australian Defence Industry Exports.

David is currently the chair of Clean Sub Sea Limited, a technology start-up specialising in environmentally secure in-water hull cleaning of large commercial vessels and warships for the RAN. 

David also consults to a listed geophysics specialist company DUG Technologies on the application of inground waveform analysis to the maritime and space environment.

David’s family is currently also engaged in gold mining and has a small operation south east of Meekatharra in the Murchison goldfields of Western Australia.

Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO CSC RAN (Ret)

AMDA Board Director and Convenor of Indo Pacific 2025
AMDA Foundation Limited

Vice Admiral Tim Barrett retired from the Royal Australian Navy in 2018 after a 42-year career. In his last role, as Chief of Navy and professional head of the Service, he progressed plans to regenerate Navy capability, which is manifest in the National Ship Building Plan and contracts for new submarines, frigates and patrol boats.

In uniform he initially trained as a mariner but later specialised in aviation. Serving at sea and ashore, he gained extensive command experience at all ranks but most notably as the Commander of the Australian Navy Aviation Group, Commander Border Protection Command and Commander of the Australian Fleet. He also has broad experience in staff positions dealing in capability development and personnel management.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and History and a Masters of Defence Studies, both from the University of New South Wales, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

In early 2017 he published ‘The Navy and the Nation: Australia's Maritime Power in the 21st Century’ in which he outlined the extensive opportunities for Navy and Australia as steps are taken to implement the planned investment in naval capability outlined in the Defence White Paper 2016 and the National Shipbuilding Plan over the coming decades.

A long-time advocate of industry’s role in providing naval capability, Tim Barrett now advises on a broad range of maritime issues to government and sits on a number of related boards.

As a Board member for AMDA Foundation, Vice Admiral Barrett will also serve as convenor of the INDO PACIFIC 2022 International Maritime Exposition.

Major General (ret) Jeff Sengelman DSC AM CSC

Australian Defence Force

Michael Formosa

Managing Partner
Renaissance Strategic Advisors

Michael Formosa is in charge of global business operations of Renaissance Strategic Advisors, an aerospace, defence and security consultancy specialising in assisting clients address their most complex and critical issues. 

With 30 years of experience in international business planning and expansion, Michael’s expertise covers M&A industry due diligence, R&D pipeline prioritisation and development, regulatory risk analysis, and market prioritisation and capture. He has led over 350 consulting engagements on behalf of government departments and companies throughout the value chain, from component manufacturers to prime contractors. Michael advises clients on internationalisation and ‘home market’ strategies, industrial collaboration, transfer of technology/local participation, and foreign direct (capital) investment.

In addition to speaking regularly at various industry fora, Michael has served as an expert witness in US federal court; provided testimony to the UK House of Commons Defence Select Committee on industrial policy; to the Defence Sub Committee and House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on foreign ownership in the supply chain, contributed to the Dunne Review on UK prosperity, and comments on defence and security issues for media outlets.

Before joining Renaissance, Michael was director of Jane's Strategic Advisory Services in London and was responsible for business relationships throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia/ Pacific. For Jane’s, Michael managed bespoke market forecasting, price modelling, competitive, and commercial due diligence projects. He delivered strategic recommendations to senior- and board-level executives across a range of international aerospace and defence firms.

Michael has an MSc in international affairs with a concentration in social and economic development from the New School for Social Research in New York.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles MP

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence

The Hon. Richard Marles MP is the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Defence and the Federal Member for Corio.
Richard was first elected to the House of Representatives for Corio, Victoria in 2007.

Richard's previous ministerial appointments include Minister of Trade, Minister for Employment, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, and Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Affairs.

Richard lives in Geelong with his wife Rachel and has four children, Sam, Isabella, Harvey and Georgia. 

He is a devoted Geelong Cats supporter, golf fanatic, a keen photographer, a snowdome collector and local history enthusiast.

Sarah Pavillard

Chief Executive Officer
ADROITA

Sarah Pavillard is the founder and CEO of ADROITA, and an ex-Royal Australian Navy Weapons Engineer with more than 25 years of defence experience. Sarah leads a fast-growing national firm delivering specialist maritime, weapons, and integration engineering and other professional services to Defence and Defence Primes, and advisory services to Australian and international firms that want to grow their defence business. Sarah and her team have supported Defence, companies and academic institutions to develop, integrate, sustain and optimise some of the most complex materiel in service today across the maritime, C4ISREW, land and air domains. She has led Australian, American, British and New Zealand industry participants to mobilise into the defence sector, mobilising existing industrial capacity across sectors including heavy engineering, engineering design, artificial intelligence, complex electronics, and precision machining to strengthen Australia’s sovereign industrial capability.

Sarah’s core purpose is to Engineer Success for Sovereign Capability and delivers this through a guiding philosophy of partnering. Sarah was awarded 2021 Consultant of the Year in the Australian Defence Industry Awards, and has written three White Papers, the latest entitled Micro-Partnerships in the Age of AUKUS which was launched in the US in April 2023.

Sarah is the Vice Chair for the Board of the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN) and is on the Steering Committee of the NSW Defence Innovation Network (DIN).

Senator the Honourable Linda Reynolds CSC

Former Minister for Defence & Former Minister of Defence Industry

Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC was elected as a Senator for Western Australia in 2014. Senator Reynolds served in the Morrison Government as the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Minister for Government Services the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Defence Industry, Emergency Management and North Queensland Recovery, and also the Assistant Minister for Home Affairs.

Senator Reynolds also has over 35 years’ experience in the Australian Army. She enlisted in the Australian Army Reserves in 1984 and in 2011 became the first woman in the Australian Army Reserves to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier and was also awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement. She has a Master of Arts (Strategic Studies) and is a graduate of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.

As a member of the Liberal Party for 35 years, Senator Reynolds has wide-ranging political experience including as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Justice and Customs and as the Deputy Federal Director of the Liberal Party. Other key professional appointments include Project Director with Raytheon Australia, Commanding Officer of a Combat Service Support Battalion and Adjutant General of Army, the Chief of Army’s key governance advisor.

Jim Wrzeski

Program Manager Navy Programs
Bechtel

Jim Wrzeski is Bechtel's Project Development Manager for AUKUS within Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security and Environmental Global Business Unit. Jim’s expertise lies in his deep knowledge of operations and execution of nuclear powered submarine maintenance/ sustainment and shipyard management.

Jim has a Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.

Prior to joining Bechtel, Jim completed a 39 year Navy civilian career, 20 years of which were as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) working for the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). Roles within NAVSEA included:

NAVSEA Headquarters:

• Assistant Deputy Commander Industrial Operations Puget Sound Naval Shipyard:
• Nuclear Engineering and Planning Manager
• Head Nuclear Engineer
• Refueling Engineering Division Manager
• Reactor Engineering/Reactor Compartment Disposal Division Manager
• Nuclear Facilities and Equipment Manager
• Head of Crane Engineering
• Refueling Advanced Planning Branch Head
• Alternate Chief Refueling Engineer
• Shift Refueling Engineer

​Duncan Lewis AO DSC CSC

Board Chair
Thales Australia

Duncan Lewis AO DSC CSC was appointed Chair of the Thales Australia Board on 1 June 2023, after serving on the Board as a Non-Executive Director from 2020. Duncan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, acquired over his 47-year career within the Australian Defence Force, Intelligence Community and Government.
Duncan retired as Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in 2019 following a career that included Commander of Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment, National Security Advisor to the Federal Government, Secretary of the Department of Defence and Ambassador to Belgium, the European Union, Luxembourg and NATO.

He joined the Australian Army after schooling in Western Australia, and graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1975. His 33-year career in the military culminated in his appointment as Major General, Special Operations Commander Australia. 

In 2005, Duncan joined the National Security Division within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and was appointed as Australia’s inaugural National Security Adviser in 2008. In 2011, building on almost four decades of experience in defence and national security communities, Duncan was appointed Secretary of the Department of Defence. 

Late in 2012, Duncan was appointed Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO. On 15 September 2014, Duncan was appointed Director-General of Security and head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. 

Duncan was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia in 2005 for his service as the inaugural Special Operations Commander Australia.

His Excellency The Honourable Stephen Smith

High Commissioner of Australia to the United Kingdom

Mr Smith began his posting as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on 25 January 2023.

In August 2022, Mr Smith was asked by the Australian Government to co-lead the Australian Government’s Defence Strategic Review, which was completed in February 2023.

Prior to that, Mr Smith had been a Professor of Public International Law at the University of Western Australia since 2014.

Mr Smith previously served as Federal Member for Perth for the Australian Labor Party (1993-2013); Minister for Defence (2010-2013); Minister for Foreign Affairs (2007-2010); and Minister for Trade (2010).

Mr Smith holds a Masters of Laws in Public International Law, (London University 1982). He holds a Bachelor of Arts (1979) and Bachelor of Laws (1977) from the University of Western Australia.

Mr Smith lived, worked and studied in London from August 1979 – March 1983.

He completed the Bar Exams (Middle Temple) and was admitted as a Barrister of the Bar of England and Wales.

While in the UK, Mr Smith lectured and tutored law and completed a Masters Degree in Public International Law at London University (LSE).

Mr Smith has been a Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter since 1980.

His Excellency The Honourable Christopher Dawson AC APM

Governor of Western Australia

His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM was sworn in as the 34th Governor of Western Australia on 15 July 2022.  

The Dawson family have been part of the early colonial settlers over five generations of farming and law enforcement. The Governor’s great-great-grandparents arrived in the then Swan River colony in Western Australia in 1830.  

Chris Dawson AC APM was educated at Perth Modern School before joining the Western Australia Police Force in 1976, going on to provide 46 years of service in Australian law enforcement. 

He served in country and metropolitan positions, criminal investigation, training and senior roles. The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2002 saw him awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service.  

After 10 years as Deputy Commissioner, he left WA for a national role in Canberra between 2014 to 2017 as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Crime Commission, amalgamating several agencies into the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. He also served as Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology during this period. 

He was appointed Commissioner of the Western Australia Police Force in August 2017, serving until July 2022. During the period of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Commissioner Dawson coordinated the State of Emergency and the Vaccine program. 

In the Australia Day Honours List for 2023, Governor Dawson was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to public administration through law enforcement roles, to reconciliation, and as the 34th Governor appointed in Western Australia.

He is married to Darrilyn Dawson, Education Consultant, with two married children and five grandchildren.

Alex Walsh

Chief Nuclear & Capability Officer, ASC

Alex Walsh is a degree-qualified nuclear engineer who brings close to 40 years’ experience in the nuclear submarine and power sectors to his role: building ASC's nuclear-readiness and ensuring all ASC program teams possess the necessary capabilities.

Alex joined ASC in January 2022 as Executive Manager Engineering from Sellafield Limited, the UK government entity that manages its Sellafield nuclear site. He commenced with Sellafield as Executive Project Manager leading a complex nuclear project, before moving on to other leadership roles ahead of his most recent role, as Head of Planning Implementation.

With senior expertise in engineering, project management and managing nuclear commissioning, safety and licencing, Alex has worked in the UK, France and Australia. At BAE Systems his roles included Head of Nuclear Construction (leading the team constructing the Astute reactors) and Head of Nuclear Safety Engineering (leading nuclear authorisation and the safety case for Astute fuelling, commissioning and power range testing).

Alex previously worked at ASC in 2013 and 2014, as General Manager Engineering.

Barry McGuire

Chairman, Balladong, Wadjuk, Nyungar Representative
Spear Foundation

Barry McGuire is a Balladong, Wadjuk, Noongar man who has a strong track record as a cultural leader, entrepreneur, public speaker and negotiator in a broad range of sectors including mining, resources, arts, construction and Aboriginal business development. In addition to his role as Chairman of Spear Group Holdings, Barry has also recently been appointed as the cultural advisor to the Indigenous Emerging Business Forum, an organisation designed to help and support Aboriginal-owned businesses make the most of technology to grow business and opportunities. He currently serves as a director of the Western Australian Planning Commission, Minderoo Foundation, The Spear Foundation and as an advisory board member of the Perth International Arts Festival and the Black Swan State Theatre Company of Western Australia. These roles allow him to exercise his passion for sharing cultural understanding and safety across all nations of Australia while contributing to local economic development across urban, regional and remote parts of Australia.

Craig Ballantyne

Head of Maritime Business Development
Northrop Grumman UK

Craig is the Head of Business Development Maritime for Northrop Grumman UK, leading on all maritime systems and potential AUKUS business.  He joined Northrop Grumman post a 36 year career in the Royal Navy submarine service.

Craig’s 36 years’ service have included numerous roles in special operations including planning, policy and execution, second in Command of HMS Sceptre, the last of the Swiftsure Class SSNs and Command of HMS Talent.

Post Command, Craig has undertaken various roles in Procurement and Acquisition.  As the Senior Military Advisor (Policy & Plans) in the UK Defence and Security Export department, Craig supported UK industry from across the submarine enterprise, offered advice and guidance to companies in the underwater domain (which included sonar into the Australian SEA1000 Programme).  As the Dreadnought Programme and Capability desk officer in the Defence Nuclear Organisation, he was responsible for future capability in the next generation of the UKs nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine, dealing with both the Ship builder and capability suppliers.  Returning to the frontline, he spent 3 years as the Assistant Chief of Staff for submarines in NATO where he took responsibility for oversight and operational control of submarines assigned to NATO, conducting operations and exercises as well as the wider aspects of support to Ukraine.

The final year of his Naval career saw Craig embedded into what was the Australian Nuclear Powered Submarine Task Force (NPSTF) in Canberra, now the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), as the UKs AUKUS liaison officer.  He returned to Navy Command Headquarters in the UK as the Head of Transitions AUKUS, to develop the UK AUKUS Pillar 1 concept of operations for the rotation of an Astute class submarine into Submarine Rotational Force – West.

As a career submariner with over three decades of experience, including submarine command, operations, international engagement, acquisition, exports and most recently AUKUS, Craig has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the submarine service and underwater battlespace.

The Honourable Roger Cook MLA

Premier; Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade; Public Sector Management; Federal-State Relations
Premier of Western Australia

Hon Roger Cook MLA is the Premier of Western Australia. With oversight of the key portfolios of State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade; Public Sector Management; and Federal-State Relations, Roger has been a member of the legislative Assembly since 2008, representing the seat of Kwinana.

Prior to entering politics Roger studied Arts and Public Administration at Murdoch University before completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations and a Master of Business Administration at Curtin University. He was active in campus politics and established the National Union of Students as its first National President.

After completing his studies Roger worked for a number of Federal and State Members of Parliament including Jim McGinty, Stephen Smith and Senator Chris Evans in policy and electorate officer roles.

Roger is passionate about Aboriginal issues and served as the Chief Executive Officer of a number of Aboriginal Land Councils, along with a communications role assisting industry and government to reach agreement with Aboriginal Native Title groups. He was previously the National President of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation.

Roger is a strong advocate for health and fitness, competing in regular triathlons, marathons and rides for muscular dystrophy along with the walk for diabetes. He is an avid supporter of the Western Force and Fremantle Dockers.

Roger Cook was born and raised in Western Australia. He lives with his wife Carly in Wellard, and has two adult children.

Rob Scott

Political Reporter
Seven News

Originally from Zimbabwe, Rob Scott moved to Australia in 2001. Graduating with first class honours from Murdoch University in Perth, he has been a broadcast journalist for 20 years. He is currently a political reporter for the 7 Network based at Parliament House in Canberra, with a special interest in defence, national security, and foreign affairs.

Darshana Baruah

Director Security and Geopolitics
Australia India Institute

Darshana M. Baruah is the Director of Security and Geopolitics program at the Australia-India Institute. Baruah’s primary research focuses on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific and the role of islands in shaping great power competition. Her work examines the impact of maritime security in foreign policy engagements, naval strategy, maritime partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and island agency in shaping great power competition.
Previously Baruah was a Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington DC, where she directed the Indian Ocean Initiative. Under the initiative, Baruah conceptualized the annual Indo-Pacific Islands dialogue, a unique platform bringing together island leaders and voices from across the Indian and Pacific oceans. Baruah also set up an Indian Ocean interactive map, designed to convey the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and its implications for the Indo-Pacific.

Baruah has worked on different aspects of maritime security and geopolitics supporting minilaterals and dialogues such as the India-Australia-France and Quad among others. Prior to her role in Washington DC, Baruah worked in think tanks in New Delhi and Tokyo and spent some time in Hawaii and Canberra working on different aspects of Indo-Pacific, foreign policy and maritime security.

Baruah is the author of “The Contest for the Indian Ocean: And the Making of a New World Order” (Yale 2024) and writes regularly for leading journals, policy reports, media and edited volumes.

Baruah earned a B.A.(Hons) in History from University of Delhi and MSc Econ in International Relations from Cardiff University, Wales (UK).

Erika Olson

Charge D ’Affairs
US Embassy Canberra

Erika Olson is the Deputy Chief of Mission for the United States in Australia, where she manages the U.S.-Australia bilateral relationship through the Embassy in Canberra and Consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. From 2021-2023, she held the post of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State overseeing policy for Southern Europe and the Caucasus. As Director for Regional Political Military Affairs in Europe she guided U.S. participation at NATO and the OSCE. From 2019-2021 she directed the Office of Northern Europe, the Baltics, and Arctic Security. 

 While serving as Economic Counselor for the United States Mission in Turkey from 2016-2019, she won the Department’s Herbert Salzman Award for Excellence in International Economic Performance. She has also served at U.S. Embassies in Slovakia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as in Washington as Senior Advisor/ Acting Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources and in the Secretary of State’s Operations Center. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ms. Olson worked alongside Ambassador Robert Oakley at the National Defense University on conflict and resilience. She advised the Director General of the Foreign Commercial Service and worked for Microsoft and the Mitsui Corporation. 

 Erika holds a M.A. in Foreign Affairs from The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and a B.A. with Honors in psychology and Japanese studies from Whitman College.

Jessica Page

Political Reporter
Seven News Perth

Jessica Page has over 20 years experience as a journalist, working in print, radio and television across Australia - including in Canberra, Sydney and Perth where she is currently the state political reporter and national business reporter for Seven News.

Andrew Greene

Defence Correspondent
ABC

Andrew is the ABC's defence correspondent and has covered federal parliament since 2004. He joined the ABC in 2010 and has reported from Afghanistan, Iraq, the United States and Europe, as well as assignments across Australia. Andrew has lived and worked in the Czech Republic and speaks Czech, having grown up speaking the language. In 2023 Andrew was appointed adjunct professor in the Faculty of Business, Government and Law at the University of Canberra. 

Professor Melinda Fitzgerald

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research
Curtin University

John Curtin Distinguished Professor Melinda Fitzgerald is the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research at Curtin University and CEO of Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia.   

Lindy is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies, frameworks, and activities to achieve the University’s strategic goals in research and IP commercialisation, including Curtin’s Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer funded by the federal government.

In her role as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Prof Fitzgerald has responsibility for the portfolios of Research Partnerships, the Mining Technologies and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, the Curtin University National Resilience and Security Program Office, Research Services and Systems, and Research Excellence. She manages strategic initiatives to empower Curtin University to lead research that Australia and our global partners need now and for the future.

Prof Fitzgerald also leads a team of researchers and post-graduate students in nationally coordinated research focused around understanding and preventing the loss of function that occurs following neurotrauma.

The Honourable Hannah Beazley MLA

Minister for Local Government and Youth, Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development
Perth USAsia Centre

Hannah Beazley is the Minister for Local Government and Youth, and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development.

Since being elected to State Parliament as the Member for Victoria Park in March 2021, Hannah has been the member of several Parliamentary and Joint Committees and held the position of Caucus Secretary of the State Parliamentary Labor Party from 2021 to 2023, and then Parliamentary Secretary Minister Dawson and Minister Carey.

Hannah is born and bred Victoria Park. Having gone to school at East Victoria Park Primary School and St Joachim’s (now Ursula Frayne Catholic College), and living locally, Hannah understands the community and their priorities and values. 

Before entering Parliament, Hannah held senior executive positions across the not-for-profit and education sectors, including helping lead the team at local not-for-profit Western Australia Return Recycle Renew Ltd (WARRRL) to develop, roll out and administer the State’s highly successful container deposit scheme, Containers for Change.

Hannah has also worked across the private sector and government, including as speechwriter to two Western Australian Premiers, and was a successful entrepreneur, starting, growing and selling a profitable local retail business.

Hannah is Mum to two boys, one of whom lives with disabilities. When she’s not working, she can be found at her boys’ soccer and lacrosse games, or vintage shopping around Victoria Park.

Andrew Probyn

National Affairs Editor
Nine News

Andrew Probyn has been a journalist for three decades, working both in newspapers and broadcast. 

He has worked in the Parliamentary Press Gallery for almost a quarter of a century. 

He has been named Press Gallery Journalist of the Year three times, most recently this year. Probyn is a three-time Walkley Awards finalist, the winner of the Melbourne Press Club's prestigious Golden Quill, and was named Western Australian Journalist of the Year in 2016. He is also a board member of the National Press Club.

He is National Affairs Editor for Nine News.

The Honourable Rita Saffioti MLA

Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Transport; Tourism
WA State Government

Hon Rita Saffioti MLA is the Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Transport and Minister for Tourism. Rita has served as a senior Cabinet Minister across multiple portfolios since the Labor Government was elected in 2017, including Transport, Tourism, Planning, Lands, Ports, and Treasury. 

As a Minister, Rita quickly gained a reputation for being hard-working, driven, and focused on delivering outcomes for the people of Western Australia. 

Some of her proudest achievements include returning railcar manufacturing to Western Australia, securing record funding from the Commonwealth to upgrade regional roads, and delivering METRONET – a once-in-a-generation infrastructure project, creating thousands of local jobs for Western Australians. METRONET is the single largest investment in public transport in Western Australia’s history, building approximately 72 kilometres of new passenger rail and 23 new train stations across Perth. The multi-billion-dollar project will also provide more housing options in metropolitan Perth, unlocking more than 8,000 hectares of land around train stations to create new communities. 

The daughter of Italian migrants, Rita grew up on her parents’ orchard in Roleystone and spent her school holidays picking fruit. Her mother worked as a cook and her father was a labourer who cleared land for housing developments, fenced properties for pastoralists in the regions, and built train stations along the Armadale and Fremantle train lines. From a young age, Rita’s parents taught her the values of hard work, fairness, and opportunity. 

After finishing her schooling at Kelmscott Senior High School, Rita gained a Bachelor of Business at Curtin University. As economist by trade, she then moved to Canberra to work at the Department of Finance before returning to Western Australia to work at the Department of Treasury. 

In 1997, Rita commenced working for then-Opposition Leader Geoff Gallop as an economic adviser, continuing this role into Government before ultimately becoming Chief of Staff to Premier Alan Carpenter. Rita was elected as the Member for West Swan in 2008 and became a Shadow Minister in 2013. 

She has three young children, a 14 -year-old and 12-year-old twins. When not at Parliament, Rita can usually be found with her family at the footy cheering on her team, the Fremantle Dockers.

The Honourable Christopher Pyne

Former Minister for Defence, Executive Chairman of consulting firm Pyne and Partners,
Chair of COTA Australia
COTA Australia

Christopher served in the Australian House of Representatives from 1993-2019. During this time, he was in the Liberal Party Leadership Group for 10 years, Leader of the House of Representatives for six years, and served in Cabinet for six years. He was a Minister in the Howard, Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison Governments, holding the portfolios of Ageing, Education, Industry Innovation and Science, Defence Industry and Defence. Christopher is Executive Chairman of consulting firm Pyne and Partners, Chair of COTA Australia, Vision 2020, the Australia United Arab Emirates Business Council, the Advisory Board of munitions and weapons company, NIOA Group and the SA Governors Council of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia. As well, he is a non Executive Director of Canberra based defence manufacturer, HighCom Ltd. He is an Industry Professor in the University of South Australia Business School. He is the author of two books - “A Letter to my Children” (2015) and “The Insider” (2020) and the pod cast Pyne Time. Christopher lives in Aldgate in South Australia and is married to Carolyn and is the father of Eleanor, Barnaby, Felix and Aurelia.

The Honourable Madeleine King MP

Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia

The Hon. Madeleine King was sworn in as Federal Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia on 1 June 2022, following the election of the Albanese Government.

Minister King was first elected to Parliament in 2016, representing the seat of Brand on the outskirts of Perth, where she was born and grew up.

The seat encompasses the Cities of Rockingham and Kwinana and contains some of Perth’s heavy industries, including the HMAS Stirling naval base on Garden Island and the Kwinana Industrial Area. King’s father worked at the BP oil refinery in Kwinana and her mother and grandmother ran a drapery store in Rockingham.

Minister King was promoted to the shadow ministry in 2018 and has served as Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs and Small Business, Shadow Minister for Trade and Shadow Minister for Resources.

Before entering parliament Minister King held senior executive roles at The University of Western Australia and served as the inaugural Chief Operating Officer at the Perth USAsia Centre.

As a Shadow Minister, a former political adviser and through Parliamentary committee work, she was a regular visitor to Northern Australia and has been deeply engaged in issues surrounding development in the north.

Minister King has a strong interest in ensuring the benefits of economic development are shared fairly and create opportunities for all segments of Australian society.

Minister King has a law degree from the University of Western Australia in Perth.

She is also a keen hockey enthusiast, and was a member of the WA Women’s Masters Hockey Team from 2012 to 2015.

Gary Hale

Director, NRAS Program Office and Chief Security Officer
Curtin University

Gary Hale holds the position of Director for the National Resilience & Security Program Office (NRAS) and Chief Security Officer (CSO) at Curtin University. In this capacity, he is tasked with fortifying the university's infrastructure to foster resilient and sustainable world-class science and innovation partnerships. His role is pivotal in developing nationally significant sovereign capabilities for Australia. Gary oversees the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) and is instrumental in expanding the Defence and Space research portfolio through strategic collaborations with government and industry stakeholders. His extensive expertise in space, defence, digital, and cyber domains, combined with a vast network of professional contacts, enables him to cultivate a secure and resilient environment for scientific and innovative pursuits. Gary’s primary objective is to support and enhance strategic partnerships with governmental, defence, industrial, civil, and academic entities, thereby advancing Curtin University's mission to lead in critical research and development initiatives.

Dr Laura Hooks

Vice President and General Manager, Maritime & Strategic Systems
General Dynamics Mission Systems

Dr. Laura Hooks is vice president and general manager Maritime and Strategic Systems (M&SS) for General Dynamics Mission Systems. In this role, she leads a diverse array of programs serving the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force, restricted customers, various government labs and a variety of international and commercial customers. The M&SS business performs electronic systems integration for submarines, surface ships, unmanned underwater vehicles, and unmanned surface vehicles as well as the design, build and support of a broad array of surface, air, and strategic subsystems. The business has substantial focus on open architecture computing, system integration, autonomy, RF sensor processing, secure computing, and integrated software solutions for various platforms. The M&SS business employs over 3,000 professionals at multiple locations across the country. 

Previously, Dr. Hooks served as the vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Ground Systems line of business. She also served as the vice president of the Strategic Systems business area within the M&SS line of business where she supported the hypersonics and strategic deterrence missions for the Navy and Air Force. Dr. Hooks provided leadership for more than 1,400 employees across many programs, including launch control systems for ground based and submarine launched nuclear ballistic missiles, weapon system security solutions, guidance, navigation and electronic systems, high assurance communications systems and international work for the UK and Egypt. 

Prior to working at Mission Systems, Dr. Hooks was the director of engineering at General Dynamics Electric Boat for the Integrated Product Development Environment program, responsible for implementation of a model-based environment to design, build and sustain all submarine programs. Dr. Hooks also served as director of engineering, Waterfront, where she was responsible for construction support of all new construction and overhaul and repair submarines in the shipyard. Prior to that, Dr. Hooks was director 2 September 1, 2022 of engineering, Combat and Weapon Systems responsible for Non-Propulsion Electronic Systems on all classes of submarines and the Strategic Weapon Support Systems for Ohio and Columbia class. 

Prior to working at Electric Boat, Dr. Hooks served as director of engineering for Mission Integration Systems at General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. She was responsible for leading more than 1500 engineers covering domains from undersea to space. Dr. Hooks led the engineering council, setting the strategic vision for over 4000 engineers. She supported the General Dynamics Corporate Engineering Council throughout her career as director of engineering providing thought leadership on innovation and best practices across the corporation. 

Dr. Hooks holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She was recognized as the Large Business Innovation and Leadership Woman of Innovation in 2014 by the Connecticut Technology Council and holds two patents. She serves on the boards of the Naval Submarine League and the National Defense Industrial Association – New England Chapter, and previously served on the Board of Regents for the Strategic Deterrent Coalition

Admiral SAITO Akira

Chief of Staff
Japan Maritime Self Defence Force

Date of Birth 26 JUL 1966
Place of Birth Nagasaki Pref.
Education 1989 National Defense Academy 1990 MSDF Officer Candidate School
Promotion: Captain 1 JAN 2008
                     Rear Admiral 5 AUG 2014
                     Vice Admiral 25 AUG 2020

Previous Assignments :

MAR 2006 CO, JS ISOYUKI
MAR 2007 Staff of Fleet Escort Force
JUL 2008 U.S Naval War College : NCC
JUL 2009 Staff of Plans and Programs Division, MSO
JUL 2010 Chief of Plans and Programs Section, Plans and Programs Division, MSO
AUG 2011 Commander, Escort Division Fourteen
JUL 2012 Director of Education Division, MSO
AUG 2013 Director of Assignment Division, MSO
AUG 2014 Commander, Escort Flotilla One
JUL 2016 Chief of Staff, Commander Fleet Escort Force
AUG 2017 Superintendent MSDF Officer Candidate School
AUG 2018 Director General of Operations and Plans Department
AUG 2020 Commander, Fleet Escort Force
DEC 2021 Vice Chief of Staff, MSO
DEC 2022 Commander in Chief, Self Defense Fleet
JUL 2024 Present Assignment

The Honourable Yasuhiro Takami

Senior Advisor to the Minister of Defence and Member of the House of Representatives
House of Representatives Japan

Date of Birth October 16, 1980
Place of Birth Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
Official Title Member of the House of Representatives (HR)
In-House Group Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
                  Constituency 2nd District, Shimane (Elected for the first time)

Education & Professional Career
Mar. 2004 LL.B. (Bachelor of Law,) University of Tokyo
Mar. 2006 Master of Public Policy, Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo
Apr. 2006 Journalist of a newspaper company “Yomiuri Shimbun” Headquarters
Mar. 2008 Officer, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
May 2010 Director, a private educational institute
Apr. 2015 Member of the Shimane Prefectural Assembly
Apr. 2019 Member of the Shimane Prefectural Assembly (re-elected)
Oct. 2021 Member of the House of Representatives
Aug. 2022 Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Justice (The 2nd KISHIDA Cabinet)
Jan. 2024 Senior Adviser to the Minister of Defense (The 2nd KISHIDA Reshuffled Cabinet)

LDP Political Career

• Deputy Director, Youth Division
• Vice President, Central Institute of Politics
• Vice-Chairperson, Federation of SHIMANE Prefecture Liberal Democratic Party Branches
• Chief Secretary, Project Team on Regulatory Reform of the Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarter

Favorite words and phrases “Do your best and see where it leads.”

Hobby Spectating Sports, Strolling with Family

Captain (RET) Rick Kitchens

Director of Business Development, AUKUS and Undersea Programs, Former US Navy,
L3Harris

Captain (retired) Richard “Rick” Kitchens is the Director of Business Development, AUKUS and Undersea Programs for Corporate Global Business Development. In late 2020 Kitchens assumed his current position at corporate headquarters where he coordinates business development and strategy for the L3Harris AUKUS campaign, and for undersea programs across the corporation’s four segments. He joined L3Harris in 2014 following a 30-year career as a submariner in the U.S. Navy.

During his Navy career, Kitchens’ sea tours included duty onboard fast attack and ballistic missile submarines, and the Commander Carrier Group SIX staff, during which he completed eleven SSBN strategic deterrent patrols, two SSN deployments, and a six-month Mediterranean Sea/Arabian Gulf deployment onboard USS AMERICA.

Shore duty assignments included Joint Duty as Navy Security Assistance Programs Officer for the Commander U.S. Pacific Command, three tours on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington D.C. and as Deputy Commandant and Chief of Staff, Naval District Washington.

Kitchens commanded USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) (BLUE) where the crew earned the U.S. Strategic Command Omaha Trophy. He also commanded Naval Station Pearl Harbor, where he led the merger with Hickam Air Force Base to form Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and earned the Commander-In-Chief’s Award for Installation Excellence as the Navy’s top base.

Upon leaving the Navy in 2014 he joined L3 Communications, Communication Systems East where he led undersea business development and strategy for C5 and cybersecurity systems, securing key wins on Columbia and Virginia Class submarines and Orca Extra Large UUV program. Following the L3-Harris merger in 2019 he joined the Maritime Sensors division as Director, Business Development & Strategy leading the division’s business development, strategic planning and capture efforts.

Kitchens holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Camp Ohana Foundation, the Naval Submarine League Advisory Council and the NDIA Undersea Warfare Division Executive Board.