Following our announcement of the Women in Defence Awards 2026 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 Project Management category.
In this category, judges were looking for entries that demonstrated outstanding achievements, milestones and deliverables during 2025 in the field of Project Management, 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 29 October 2026. Book your tickets here – we hope to see you there!
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Daniela Hood In 2025, Daniela led a team integrated within Defence to build the capability, capacity, knowledge, confidence, and leadership of the ADF’s Seaworthiness Regulator. Dani was able to deliver on time, within budget, and in full alignment with the expectations of the Commonwealth. She volunteers time to PFAS remediation research, testing and implementation of treatments. |
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Lisa Hubbard Lisa led a major Contract Change Proposal (CCP) for the future C-130J training system, turning a complex set of requirements into a clear, market ready solicitation package. She designed and facilitated 11 targeted workshops that brought together the Air Force, multiple SPO’s and industry partners, while navigating entrenched views and significant information gaps while keeping the project moving forward. She overcame resistance, turning it into a practical, compliant path. |
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Michelle Toscan Michelle helped to bring the Ghost Shark capability from prototype to program of record and introduced a modern solid rocket motor manufacturing solution to Australia. Under her guidance, regional nations who have historically procured technology from the US, such as Japan, Korea and India, are now looking at Australian firms who can deliver technological excellence. |
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Scarlet Kong During 2025, Scarlet delivered significant impact to the Defence sector as the Project Manager for the Advanced Piezoelectric Materials and Applications Program, which culminated in the establishment of a single crystal piezoelectric foundry at Thales Underwater Systems in Rydalmere, NSW. This had provided sovereign capability in the production of single crystal piezoelectric materials for next generation sonars, sensors and effectors. Scarlet volunteers with the NSW State Emergency Service in an incident management role. |
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Shelly Sinha-Hollier In mid-2025, Shelly was appointed Project Manager for Land 156. This program was the first to use the new hybrid ASDEFCON contracting model. Leading a workforce of more than 70 people across five companies and multiple locations, Shelly implemented accelerated reviews, approvals, and milestone sequencing unlike traditional multi-year Defence projects. Concept capability was demonstrated just fourteen weeks after contract signing. |
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