Following our announcement of the Women in Defence Awards 2024 finalists, ADM will be introducing each of our amazing finalists across the categories in more detail. Today we are focusing on the finalists in our People and Culture category.
In this category, judges were looking for entries that developed and /or administered outstanding initiatives to support women that have had a significant impact within the defence community, with additional evidence of having overcome personal challenges to do so.
The winners and Hall of Fame inductee will be announced at a gala dinner at The National Arboretum, Canberra, on 17 October 2024. Book your tickets here – we hope to see you there!
Olivia Agate
Senior Talent Acquisition, Early Careers, Industry Engagement Advisor
Navantia Australia
Olivia spearheaded an initiative within Navantia Australia that brings the women of Navantia Australia together called ‘For the WIN’. Olivia also helped increase female participation within Navantia Australia from a headcount of 39 to 62, bringing the female percentage from 18% to 22%, and led an initiative with ‘RMIT Girls in Aerospace and Defence’ whereby young women attended Navantia Australia’s Melbourne offices to learn about a career in Naval Engineering
Hayley Boswell
Founder
Defence Kidz
Hayley is the founder of Defence Kidz, which creates resources to be used as a tool for defence and veteran mums to connect with their children and maintain attachment even when separated due to service. In 2023, Hayley advocated successfully for the SA, NT and ACT governments to implement a defence and veteran children identification on all enrolment forms; created a defence kidz specific graphic novel for defence and veteran children; won the Princes Trust Family Business of the Year; was placed on the Office for Women’s Honour Roll for her work in veteran families advocacy; reached up to 22 million people on social media; and advocated successfully for a policy change for the premier’s reading challenge to give allowances to defence and veteran families.
Leah Cattanach
Project Manager and President of Northrop Grumman Women’s International Network.
Northrop Grumman Australia
Leah demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to women in the defence industry as President of NGWIN (an Employee Resource Group of Northrop Grumman). Leah revitalised the Australian chapter of NGWIN by diversifying the board and implementing a strategy which increased membership while fostering a culture of inclusivity. Leah mentored female engineers at Northrop Grumman’s ”Women Defining Possible” event, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing future female leaders, and was recognised out of 9,700 members across the USA, UK, and Australia for her contribution to female professional development.
Nikki Coleman WINNER
Senior Chaplain Ethicist to the RAAF (Retired)
RAAF (Retired)
In August 2023, Nikki gave public evidence to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide about how the ADF handled her complaints regarding Unacceptable Behaviour (UB). Before Nikki’s public testimony, Defence had insisted that the results of UB investigations had to be kept confidential, even when UB was substantiated. As a result of Nikki’s 2023 public testimony and her quiet lobbying internally, the ADF fundamentally changed their approach to the privacy of those found guilty of UB - which will, over time, make the ADF a safer working environment for women. Nikki’s courage has led to a dramatic increase in notifications by women of recent and historic sexual assault, sexual harassment and bullying in the ADF.
The judges view Nikki’s courage, testimony and advocacy as a historic moment. Nikki left Defence to stand up for herself, for her values and for other women, and she has successfully challenged the ADF to change its culture at an immense personal cost. The scale of her achievement - and the sacrifice it required - is unparalleled in the history of this awards program and will create a generational impact for years to come.
Stacey Horder
Human Resources Director
L3Harris Technologies
In 2023, Stacey co-founded and coordinated the Women in Defence Technology Conference, a pioneering event that provided a platform for women to share insights, network, and advance their careers. Additionally, she joined the advisory board for the QLD Government’s Veteran Digital Skills Program. Both of these roles were performed outside of her 9-5 role. Stacey also created a veteran-only apprenticeship program at L3Harris which gained national recognition. These accomplishments were all while balancing the demands of returning to full time work after maternity leave.
Fiona McSpeerin
First Assistant Secretary People Policy and Development
Department of Defence
During 2023, Fiona was responsible for leading two enterprise-wide workforce initiatives. The ADF Employment Offer Modernisation Program delivered some of the biggest changes to ADF conditions in decades - Fiona was instrumental across all stages of the Program. Additionally, Fiona was responsible for leading the development of the new Enterprise Agreement for the Defence APS workforce, which led Defence APS staff to benefit from increases to remuneration and significant improvements to parental leave, personal/carers leave and flexible work options.
