Now in its second year the ADM 30 under 30 Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions that the under-30 demographic makes to defence industry, and the impact that these future leaders have through their achievements and innovation.
A big thanks to all of our sponsors for this event: Headline Sponsor Babcock, Gold Sponsors Coras and Hanwha, Silver Sponsors Dolium and McKay, and Bronze Sponsors Barrington Treasury Services and BGIS.
We are proud to present the 2024 30 under 30 Award inductees today, who have all gone above and beyond in these early stages of their careers and made efforts to support those around them throughout, by volunteering, mentoring, and being a role model for young people in the defence industry.
ADM's 2025 30 under 30 are:
Andrejs Jaudzems is a Consultant, Systems Safety & Assurance, at Frazer-Nash Consultancy. Andrejs supported the development of a framework for autonomous vessel compliance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and developed Natural Language Processing tools to improve the efficiency of safety assurance activities and hazard log management. Andrejs is an active member of the Latvian community and the Adelaide Parklands Association.
Brittany Klein is a Business Development Manager at OCRT Consulting. Brittany led a transformative initiative that resulted in securing the company’s first below-the-line intelligence contract with a government department, focused on counterterrorism and violent extremist content analysis through open-source intelligence. This achievement marked a significant expansion from OCRT’s traditional above-the-line Defence consulting.
Brodie Rupp is a Project Engineer at WSU Civil. Brodie has overcome major health adversities to become a qualified civil engineer for both Waanyi Shamrock United (WSU Civil) and Shamrock Civil Engineering. Within two years of graduating, Brodie successfully advanced to a Project Engineer position, a role that typically requires five years of experience. Brodie also helped three undergraduates gain jobs with Shamrock Civil and WSU Civil, contributing to addressing workforce shortages at a grassroots level.
Calvin Ossevoort is an IDE Manager at NORSTA Maritime. At NORSTA he initiated the digital transformation of a new contract model through phase-in then becoming operational in complex and high tempo programs. This successful implementation has been recognised by management, Commonwealth representatives, vendors, and end users with the system described as efficient, effective, and best practice. Calvin started his career as a teacher, now he uses his teacher training to mentor, strong volunteer work, strong support of leadership, team and project management.
Casey-Lee Rebellato, Flying Officer Rebellato is a Human Resources Manager with the RAAF. Casey-Lee established the 'Mentoring @ OTS' program, which helps ease individuals into the Defence environment and aims to encourage retention during the first weeks of training. After losing her sister to suicide at age 20, Casey-Lee is committed to supporting others with mental health struggles: Casey-Lee frequently speaks at unit and Base Mental Health events and engages with organisations like RSL for Life to mentor and help rehabilitate veterans.
Chloe Lawrence is the Senior Engineering Technician at Babcock Australia & New Zealand. Chloe has successfully transitioned from her role as a Maritime Logistic Supply Chain Sailor with the RAN to Senior Engineering Technician working within the C-CBRNE program. She provides formal mentorship to individuals within the C-CBRNE team and graduates to provide strong understanding of Defence systems and the role defence industry plays in delivering capability for the ADF.
Cody Webster is the Executive Director at Raider Targetry. Cody is a co-founder of Raider Targetry a role that involves overcoming major project challenges, process streamlining, team and budget management. He is an active volunteer inside and outside the Defence sector, focusing on diversity and inclusion.
Darlene Harris is a Supply Support Lead at BAE Systems Australia. She has risen to position of trusted and highly valued manager despite an incredibly difficult early life, including finding herself homeless at aged 11. After being medically discharged from the Army with life altering injuries, at BAE she has fostered a unified team mindset, improving KPIs from red to green while also increasing the percentage of females in the remote FIFO Logistics workforce from 16% to 38%. She is a sought out mentor within BAE and the wider community and her empathy, understanding and willingness to go the extra mile to help a colleague and those around her has made a huge difference to many.
Darlene is the 30 Under 30 Grand Prix winner for 2024
The judging panel were overwhelmed by the depth of feeling shown for Darlene in her supporting documentation: "[committed] to inclusivity and personalized support", "few people are as deserving of recognition as she is", "someone I rely on daily", “isn't afraid to tell me when I'm wrong”, “I don't think she fully realizes the impact her empathy and care had on me and my team” and "As my manager, she has cared and mentored me in ways I have never experienced before". She has had a significant impact on those around her, no matter their position within BAE. Her volunteering efforts in the wider community are mammoth, influential and widespread. She has overcome a great deal to be where she currently is in her professional life. She is a true force of nature with an incredibly bright future ahead in the Australian defence sector.
Elijah Suares is a Senior Project Officer with AECOM. He played a pivotal role in managing billion-dollar projects aimed at delivering the next generation of Armoured Fighting Vehicles, and when a contractor unexpectedly went into administration, stepped up to help prepare a crucial and unique cost-plus reimbursable contract. Elijah was also chair for the ACT Young Engineers Australia Committee (YEA) and is a speaker and mentor for Indigenous high school students through the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).
Ema Kobayakawa, Flying Officer Ema Kobayakawa is an Air Traffic Controler within the RAAF. Whilst she was born and raised in Japan, her mother is Australian and she has ADF family history. She has overcome many hurdles to reach her current level of success. Alongside her primary duties Ema has also been called upon to act as a Japanese linguist during a number of international exercises. She has volunteered in numerous roles with in the ADF and the wider community.
Emily Egan is the Communication Manager for ADF Reserves and Employer Support within Defence People Group. She led the implementation of the new Defence Supportive Employer Program (SEP) including the inaugural virtual seminar to bring together employers and reservists across Australia. Emily was the cancer council ACTs SunSmart ambassador for young people. She is open about her neurodiversity and is often sort out by others within Defence who are seeking support, empathy and understanding.
Georgia Spulnik-Ross, Able Seaman Spulnik-Ross is an Aircraft Maintenance Technician with the Royal Australian Navy. An example of Georgia's leadership in action occurred when she encountered a technical challenge while performing maintenance on an MH-60R Seahawk. During a task to service the main landing gear struts, an error in the servicing was identified: Georgia proactively engaged in the safety investigation process, which many maintainers are often hesitant to do. One senior officer credited her approach with improving the whole unit’s culture.
Hrithik Menon, Hrithik is a Strategy Analyst with Hanwha Defence Australia. Just four months into his role at Hanwha Defence Australia, Hrithik was appointed Acting AIC Manager after the departure of the permanent AIC Manager and another AIC Specialist. Hrithik successfully took on the responsibility of negotiating multi-million-dollar local contracts and ensuring compliance with ASDEFCON standards, all whilst undertaking training as an officer in the Australian Army Reserve.
Jacob Wiremu is a manager at Downer Defence. Previously serving as an Electronic Warfare Submariner in the Royal Australian Navy, Jacob led the integration of a multi-million-dollar Electronic Warfare training simulation system, an effort that earned him a Silver Level Commendation. Jacob volunteers with charitable organisations Raise (Sydney) and MensLink (ACT), providing coaching, mentoring, and support to disadvantaged children, as well as another charity providing essential services and social support to disadvantaged individuals.
Jake Tremelling is a Project Engineer at SYPAQ. Jake was tasked with transforming SYPAQ's research and development, and low-rate production capability, into a full-rate production environment, which lifted production rates from around 10 to over 200 UAS per month. This required him to him to work across finance, procurement, WHS, plant & equipment, training and development, and included expanding the QMS.
Jenna Whitlock is a Defence Co-ordinator at Symal. One of Jenna’s most impactful achievements has been to help six Indigenous employees attain financial independence and purchase their own homes. Jenna also volunteers her time at Symal’s annual fundraiser for the Fight Cancer Foundation, which raised over $200,000 this year to support children battling cancer, and has taken the lead in Symal’s endeavour to become an employer of choice for veterans in construction.
Josh Lee is a Systems Engineering Lead at Raytheon Australia. He was promoted to project lead when the engineering manager unexpectedly departed. The project was delivered on schedule and with great satisfaction from the customer. Josh formed his own charity to support multi-ethnic youths who were experiencing challenges at home due to the cultural differences between their parents’ culture and the culture they experienced at school and within the broader community. It now had 110 members and 14 volunteers.
Karl Jones is a Graduate Engineer at BAE Systems. He led an initiative to design a 5-day project for work experience students at RAAF Pearce, to introduce students to STEM and aviation through hands-on activities. Karl coordinated with stakeholders, secured funding, and developed a self-sustaining program requiring minimal supervision. He is active member of BAE’s STEM Influencer team and has supported numerous STEM mentoring programs.
Kaylee Verrier, Flight Lieutenant Verrier is an Aeronautical and Space Engineer with Space Command. She currently plans and executes Space Domain exercises. As a new structure, she has been part of creating Space Force Generation processes for the ADF, including assisting with developing opportunities for Trainee Officers within ADFA to encourage space careers and awareness. Kaylee is an active participant in a number of fund-raising activities and regularly presents at events which promote STEM as a worthwhile career for young women.
Lucy Watts is a Senior Systems Engineer with Frazer-Nash Consultancy. Lucy has released designs that are now flying on the E-7A Wedgetail platform and was instrumental in the design of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat avionics system. Lucy was one of the founding members of the Gender Equality Network in Engineering – a Boeing Defence employee initiative aimed at pairing female employees with mentors to support their career development – and ran BDA’s lifeblood team that won blood drive two years consecutively.
Matthew Zuill is a Systems Engineer at Raytheon Australia. He is second-in-charge for the system level design and development of the Command, Control, and Communications for Planning and Mission Execution within the Air 6500 program. Matthew is heavily involved in surf lifesaving at West Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. He was part of the Surf Sports Advisory Committee for Surf Lifesaving South Australia from 2020 to 2024 and is involved in shaping and coaching the SA High Performance squad.
Mina Nassief is a Project Manager, working for the Diving, Autonomous and Signatures Systems Project Office (DAS SPO) in the Department of Defence. He moved from graduate to acting deputy director in only two years. This included developing first-of-type engineering reports and managing multi-million-dollar projects with minimal experience. He mentors and volunteers both inside and outside defence as well as overseas.
Nastassja Regan is a Senior Mechanical Engineer at BAE Systems. Nastassja was the lead on the design and implementation of an Oily Water Separator Upgrade to rectify a D2 Medium risk and regain Lloyd’s Certification as requested by Director General Engineering - Navy. Nastassja led her team to complete a successful design and implementation to rectify all critical issues with the system, including a redesign of a cleaning and disposal system, which allowed the vessel to regain Lloyd’s Certification.
Nil Shah is a Strategy Manager at Nova Systems. Nil leads the development of Nova Systems’ 2030 Strategy, which will set the enterprise-wide direction for the next five years, navigating complex global circumstances and rapidly shifting defence priorities, as well as collaborating with Nova’s Senior Leaders, Executive, and Board. Nil is also the Nova Graduate Program Committee President and mentors through Nova’s Mentoring Program.
Rhianna McHendrie is a Graduate Materials Engineer at BAE Systems Maritime Australia. The author of two journal articles and BAE Systems’ Engineering Graduate of the Year 2024, Rhianna’s analysis and clear communication of data regarding a residual dust problem played a pivotal role in helping executives make informed decisions, preventing potential scheduling delays and significant costs. Rhianna also mentors new manufacturing officers entering the business.
Rochelle Feenan is a Senior Consultant at Coras. Rochelle is the international engagement lead for an Integrated Air Missile Defence Program, working closely with global and domestic partners to ensure strategic alignment, manage cross-cultural teams, and balance national interests. She is an ambassador for and Board Member of Defence Kidz as well as volunteering at ACT Rescue and Foster Centre and UN Women.
Samantha (Sam) Kirkwood is research and development engineer at High Earth Orbit Robotics Pty Ltd. Sam lead the team that successfully located the missing Optimus satellite for the Space Agency. Sam volunteers with The Astra Program which focuses on providing educational resources and mentorship in space technology and satellite systems.
Thomas Smethurst is a manager at Public Sector Advisory Board, and co-founded and co-directed the Youth National Security Strategy (YNSS), the world’s first youth-driven National Security Strategy. 42 youth representatives were supported by 70 expert advisors, including Julie Bishop, Rory Medcalf, and Peter Varghese, in a 10-week virtual program that culminated in a launch at Old Parliament House.
Tiaan Pretorius is a Global Trade Specialist with Raytheon Australia. Tiaan was instrumental in the close-out of the VACM (JNT09141 Ph1) program enabling up-to-date, interoperable, secure encryption devices for the ADF. He is an active volunteer within the Ukrainian and South African communities in Canberra.
Yanny (Xiaoyan) Li is a Senior Systems Engineer for Downer Defence. Yanny played a key role in preparing the $5-7 billion Land 400 Phase 3 project, one of the largest capability acquisition projects in Army history, for contract negotiations. This led to a shortened schedule and value-for-money outcome. Yanny also lead a major effort to successfully rectify a significant performance issue with the situational awareness system in low-light conditions on the new vehicles. Outside work, Yanny has secured funding for the Robogals Canberra Chapter - a not-for-profit organisation that aims to increase female participation in STEM.