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2025

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ADM Women in Defence and National Security Breakfast hosted by Synergy — Only two tickets still available —

Theme: What is Shaping the Defence Workforce in 2025: Diversity Still Matters

09 Oct 2025
Melbourne CBD

Overview

ADM Women in Defence and National Security Breakfast – What is Shaping the Defence Workforce in 2025: Diversity Still Matters 

Proudly supported by Synergy

Sponsors

Gallery

Speakers


Katherine Ziesing, Strategic Communications Manager, Hanwha Defence Australia
Mary Lemonis, Chief People Officer, Built
CMDR Gabby Dobson, Royal Australian Navy
Kate Hillman, Brisbane Office Managing Partner, Synergy Group
Maria Montealegre
Dr Susan McGinty, CEO Aya Leadership

Additional speakers to be announced shortly

Agenda

8:30 AM -9:00am
Arrival
Tea, coffee and pastries available
8:30 AM -9:00am
9:00 AM
Official welcome
9:00 AM
9:10 am - 9:30 am
Skilled Migration and International Recruitment
How can Australia take advantage of the purge of skilled labour that is happening in other countries?
How do we make skilled migration to Australia more attractive to prospective employees than other places around the world?
How are security clearances managed?
Who can come under the skilled migration scheme?
What are the major hurdles and how to avoid them?
Tips and tricks for integrating your new killed migrant recruits into your Australian Workforce and lifestyle. It must be more than Vegemite on toast.

Maria Montealegre
Maria will share her unique perspective, shaped by her lived experience as a migrant and by applying her engineering background to support expatriates bridging skill sets and opportunities for fellow engineers.

Additional speakers to be announced
9:10 am - 9:30 am
9:30 am - 9:45 am
What is the value of diversity in 2025?
Kate Hillman, Synergy Group
Why should we still care about diversity, equity and inclusion in 2025.
What's in it for my business?
9:30 am - 9:45 am
9:45 am - 10:30 am
An ADF perspective
Commander Gabby Dobson, RAN
Navy Women Strategic Advisor / Navy Strategic Gender Advisor Navy People Branch
9:45 am - 10:30 am
10:30am AM - 11:00 AM
Morning Tea Networking break
10:30am AM - 11:00 AM
11:00 AM - 12:30PM
Paddock to Production Line Case Study
Hanwha Defence Australia and Built
Katherine Ziesing, Strategic Communications Manager, Hanwha Defence Australia
Mary Lemonis, Chief People Officer, Built


What does it take to transform a sheep paddock to fully functioning factory in two years?
Early and under budget.
11:00 AM - 12:30PM
12:45pm - 1:55pmM
Lunch - with Keynote speaker
Dr Susan McGinty
Dr Susan McGinty is the CEO and Founder of Aya Leadership. She is an award-winning scientist and global STEM leadership development expert, speaker and author, who is transforming the profile of leadership in STEM and Security to achieve innovation sustainability, uplift women in STEM and Security, including Defence, into leadership roles, and enable diversity and equity in these sectors.
Susan has a PhD in Medicinal & Organic Chemistry, a Master of Leadership, and more than 25 years’ experience in STEM, Defence and National Security, and STEM leadership development. Her thought leadership and tailored leadership programs have global impact. She authors leadership articles and undertakes research in STEM leadership. She speaks globally about the challenges for women navigating STEM leadership, tailored leadership development approaches for STEM women, and how organisations can increase diversity in their leadership. Susan has over twenty years’ experience in adult education, coaching and mentoring across a range of STEM, Defence and Security sectors.
12:45pm - 1:55pmM
1:55 PM - 2:00 PM
Closing remarks
1:55 PM - 2:00 PM

Pricing

TBA
  • Conference Pass $2,895 + GST
    Standard Industry Rate
  • Conference Pass $2,895 + GST
    SME, Government and Academia Rate

Location

Melbourne CBD

Venue details will be emailed privately to the registered attendees

PREVIOUS BREAKFASTS

To find out more, check out videos from the previous ADM Women in Defence and National Security Breakfast with Dassault Systèmes.