Following our announcement of the Women in Defence Awards 2022 finalists, ADM will be introducing each of our amazing finalists across the 10 categories in more detail. Today we are focusing on the finalists in Project Management.
In this category, judges were looking for entries that evidenced success in project management in 2021, as well as a clear effort to promote Defence above and beyond the scope of their roles or to promote inclusion within their organisations. In addition, judges also looked for entries that evidenced the overcoming of personal challenges on their way to success.
Georgia Davey of Aurecon
Georgia is Project Delivery Services’ Northern Territory Portfolio Lead, North with $230 million of works in her portfolio. Georgia’s approachable nature and ‘open door’ policy led five new Indigenous Businesses Enterprises to work with Defence in 2021 on Estate works in the Northern Territory. In addition to this success, Georgia stood out to the judges for her mentoring and leadership, all whilst being a single parent and completing a Master’s degree in 2021.
Kristen Raby of Nova Systems
Kristen became Nova Systems’ Land Domain IWP Portfolio Manager in October
2021, and leads the largest of Team Nova’s Major Service Provider contracts. Since taking over the role, Kristen’s delivery team has grown by over 50 per cent, and she has also delivered Nova’s inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, led initiatives to update parental leave, codify flexible working policies, and provide training and mentoring programs. Kristen stood out to the judges for her career achievements, her success in 2021, and her efforts to mentor and inspire those around her.
Kiri Roberts of Accenture
Kiri is Accenture’s Delivery Lead and ‘Scrum Master’ for a Boeing Defence Australia (BDA)- Airborne early warning and control project. Kiri’s efforts to boost team morale in 2021 led to a 60 per cent increase in output within the first four months of starting on the project, and she was also integral to the development of Accenture’s first Defence specific ICT & Cyber services offering. Kiri’s exceptional leadership and dedication to her team’s well-being was a highlight for the judges, as well as her volunteering work with Donate Life.
Jessica Swan of Rohde & Schwarz Australia
Jessica joined Rohde and Schwarz in January 2021 as the Project Manager for three Transportable Air Operations Towers, and is responsible for capability assurance and delivering complex capability upgrades. During 2021, Jessica’s team successfully delivered a range of upgrades whilst managing rolling Covid lockdowns and supply chain constraints. Meanwhile, Jessica is also an active RAAF reserve flight lieutenant and a single mother to two children. The judges see her ability to achieve success in her role, whilst balancing the demands of military service and single parenthood, as exemplary.
Eva Wong of Thales
Eva is responsible for oversight of all project management and bid management activities for the Training & Simulation elements of the Avionics business within Thales Australia, programs collectively worth over $400 million. Eva stood out to the judges for being a co-leader and ‘Gender Stream’ lead of Thales’ Diversity and Inclusion working group; for being actively involved in mentoring at University of Technology Sydney; for mentoring three female engineering and IT students; and for setting up and leading the ‘Women in Thales’ Employee Resource Group. Her advocacy and mentoring efforts are outstanding.
The winners and Hall of Fame inductee will be announced at a gala dinner at The National Arboretum Canberra on 14 September 2022. Book your tickets here – we hope to see you there!
Thank you to all our sponsors: SYPAQ, AeroPM, Airbus, BGIS, Boeing, CEA Technologies, Leidos, Precision Public Affairs and Ventia.
