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WIDA 2025 - Executive Management Finalists

27 August 2025

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Following our announcement of the Women in Defence Awards 2025 finalists , ADM will be introducing each of our amazing finalists across the categories in more detail. Today we are focusing on the finalists in Executive Management.

In this category, judges were looking for entries that evidenced success in executive management in 2024, 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.

The winners and Hall of Fame inductee will be announced at a gala dinner at The National Arboretum, Canberra, on 15 October 2025. Book your tickets here – we hope to see you there!

Toni Bushby Director General Health Business and Plans, Joint Health Command, Head of Corps, Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps, Director General Army Health Services (from 2025) Australian Army Toni is the first nursing officer to be promoted to a Star Rank in the Australian Regular Army. She was the steward of the Australian Defence Force's health contract with Bupa, at a value exceeding $600 million per annum, which she managed with inclusive team-building and meticulous attention to detail. Her responsibilities include the management, on behalf of the Commander Joint Health, of work, health and safety, budgeting, strategy, culture and executive services. Her journey has been powered by stoicism, tenacity, competency, professionalism and good old hard work. She is Vice President of the Australian Tactical Medicine Association.

Felicia Mellors Technical Director and a Defence Sector Lead AECOM Felicia has broken out a of a generational of low socio- economic cycle to become the Technical Director and a Defence Sector Lead for AECOM’s Environment business in Australia and New Zealand, overcoming many hurdles along the way. In 2024 she lead baseline environmental assessments at Osborne laying essential groundwork for future nuclear submarine production. She brought in specialists from AECOM’s global nuclear team to support Defence and upskill both herself and local Australian teams. She is actively involved with Women in Nuclear and CSIRO STEM outreach and has mentored Indigenous students through the CareerTrackers Internship Program

Emily Pyke Co-Founder and CEO UndaTech Emily recognised the need for specialised protective gear for designed specifically for women. She by combed her 13 years of lived experience with the Royal Australian Navy with global research to develop fire-safe, period-proof undergarments and performance base layers specifically for women. She successfully secured trials with the ADF and international partners and facilitated the donation of products to Ukrainian female special forces. Emily is Governing Board Industry Representative for Defence Trailblazer and active mentor through the Blackbird Giants Program.

Bridie Scott EMOS Manager Downer Defence In 2024 Bridie manage complex stakeholder relationships across Security and Estate Group, the ADF, and industry, aligning outcomes with the Defence Strategic Review and national readiness goals. She implemented a new emergency management protocol, which was tested during Cyclones Jasper and Kirrily and the 2024 Townsville floods. Her governance and innovation frameworks enabled faster, more coordinated responses, ensuring operational continuity. Bridie designed an Indigenous recruitment pathway through NRL Cowboys House, including structured training and a buddy model. This initiative has led to employment outcomes for over six students—three of whom are young women now working in the Defence Industry.

Miranda Van Hooff Research Lead, Military Families Gallipoli Medical Research In 2024 Miranda led multiple pioneering projects exploring the long-term mental health impacts of service and transition. She co-authored ground-breaking research, including on the gendered disempowerment of Australian women veterans, and published several high-impact papers advancing understanding of military trauma, family moral distress, and support needs during transition. She actively mentors emerging female researchers and convened the Services Families Research Consortium, ensuring women’s voices and lived experience are at the forefront of academic and policy conversations.

Kristen Watts Director Workforce Design and Integration in Military Workforce Design Division Royal Australian Navy As the inaugural Director of Workforce Design and Integration in the newly established Military Workforce Design Division, Captain Kristen Watts led transformative change at a time of significant organisational upheaval. Faced with a change-fatigued workforce and entrenched siloed operations, she led her team with extraordinary vision and perseverance, creating a path forward through complex and ambiguous conditions. Within just six months, with a 50% staff capacity, Kristen delivered a suite of solutions, including: a Workforce Design Handbook, standardised templates for workforce planning, guidance documents, a dedicated webpage and governance processes. She is an active Australian Defence Force Academy and Maritime Personnel Community mentor.

WIDA Sponsors. Credit: ADM

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