Women in A/AA Brisbane Summit 2024

Join Women in Aviation/Aerospace Australia for a full-day Summit, Thursday, 6 June at The Rose Room, Cloudland.

Women in A/AA has proudly delivered Summits across Australia for the last 10 years, bringing together leaders and change-makers across the aviation, aerospace, and space sectors to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the industry. We invite you to join us and bring your team to broaden your network, and take meaningful insights and key learnings back to your organisation.

This year we'll be looking at the conversations that can no longer be taboo in the workplace. We're giving space to some of the silent struggles that need to be articulated. How do we remove the barriers and the glass ceiling between women in middle management and C-Suite? Are organisations doing enough in engaging people around menopause, return to work, or parental leave?....Take part in workshops, debates, panels and more!

Please note the above program is subject to change.

EVENT MC

Kathleen Boseley, Aviation Solutions and Innovation Manager at Toll Aviation & National Committee Member at Women in Aviation/Aerospace Australia

INDUSTRY SPEAKERS

Kat Baulch, Co-Director at Workplace Respect

Samantha Carlton, General Manager, People Operations at Virgin Australia

Gordon Chakaodza, Director at Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) at Swinburne University of Technology

Stacy Farrar, Senior Manager Corporate Communications at Qantas Group

CMDR Gabrielle Dobson, Navy Women’s Strategic Advisor at Royal Australian Navy

Paul Jones, Senior Manager Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MR&O) at Airbus Australia

WGCDR Elisha Kropp, Executive Officer of Directorate of Organisation Behaviour at Royal Australian Air Force

Tammy Loewe, Airside Operations Team Leader at Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Ltd

Yvette Lutze, Head of Aviation Projects at Toll Aviation

LTCOL Alexandra McDonald, Staff Officer Grade One Future Uncrewed Aerial Systems, Battlefield Aviation Program, Australian Army

Mikalie Nakos, Manager, Early Careers, Diversity & Inclusion at Nova Systems Australia

Zoe Newbury, Senior Leader - Talent, Capability and Leadership at Airservices Australia

Captain Lisa Norman, Senior Manager Training Operations at Qantas Group

Shelley Willsmore, Chief People Officer at Nova Systems Australia

 

SPEAKERS BIOGRAPHY

Kat Baulch, Co-Founder at Workplace Respect

Kat is a highly experienced Social Worker with over two decades of dedicated service to families, communities, and workplaces. As the Co-Director of two businesses, Workplace Respect and Collective Caring, she plays a pivotal role in shaping organisational cultures and fostering positive and respectful work environments.

With a Bachelor of Social Work and a Masters in Management, Kat's qualifications are complemented by a Cert IV in Training & Assessment, reflecting her commitment to continuous professional development.

Kat's expertise shines in her ability to deliver comprehensive training programmes and cultivate respectful workplaces. Her career spans across different regions, including interstate and international roles. Notably, her contributions at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Victoria have been instrumental in providing essential domestic and family violence training for healthcare professionals. Currently, Kat assists organisations in enhancing their response to creating respectful work environments.

Drawing from her extensive professional experience and personal encounters with domestic and family violence, Kat brings a unique depth and authenticity to her work. She is passionate about fostering robust conversations on gender equality, driving positive change in workplace dynamics and has a desire to change the world – one conversation at a time.

Beyond her professional commitments, Kat finds balance in family time as a single mum and through her personal pursuits. Whether she's training for fun runs or overseeing the never ending renovations on her old Queenslander home, Kat exemplifies professionalism and dedication, making a meaningful impact both in her professional endeavours and personal life.

Samantha Carlton, General Manager, People Operations at Virgin Australia

Samantha has 16 years’ experience leading HR functions across Mining, Oil & Gas, Transport, Technology, Defence and Utilities sectors. Samantha has brought her knowledge of complex operating environments to the aviation sector, joining Virgin Australia in 2023. Samantha is a Member of the Industry Skills Australia Strategic Workforce Planning Committee for Aviation, addressing the considerable workforce challenges across the Aviation sector. Samantha is passionate about the global, demographic and technological forces that continue to reshape how we work and live, and is particularly invested in fostering inclusive workplaces where diversity is truly celebrated.
 

Gordon Chakaodza, Director at Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) at Swinburne University of Technology

Gordon Chakaodza is Director of the Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2). He specialises in bringing together industry, research, community, and government to undertake transformative work in the development and adoption of new technologies. 

Working closely with VH2 partners and the VH2 Industry Advisory Board, Gordon has launched and operationalised the VH2 program with a goal of making it a nationally recognised centre of hydrogen development excellence.

Gordon has previously held roles with the Victorian Government and Austrade.

A highly experienced senior leader and manager with an extensive engineering, MR&O, operational, project and airworthiness management background. 
 

CMDR Gabrielle Dobson, Navy Women’s Strategic Advisor at Royal Australian Navy

CMDR Gabby Dobson joined the RAN in 2006 as an undergraduate entry Maritime Warfare Officer. After graduating with a Bachelor of Forensics and a Bachelor of Science from Murdoch University, CMDR Dobson undertook her initial training serving in HMA Ships Manoora, Toowoomba, Broome and Maitland prior to award of her Bridge Warfare Certificate in HMAS Warramunga. CMDR Dobson has deployed overseas on both operations and exercises, including completing a Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) rotation in support of Operation SLIPPER.

CMDR Dobson’s more recent career highlights include being a Career Manager; completing her Masters in Strategic People Management during that posting, and Executive Officer of the Royal Australian Naval College, overseeing initial military training for all Naval Officers. In 2023, CMDR Dobson was selected as the Staff Officer Specialist Recruiting within Headquarters Defence Force Recruiting, managing the Specialist Recruiting Teams for Women, Indigenous and Trade roles. It was during this posting that CMDR Dobson was identified for the role of Navy Women Strategic Advisor, and promoted into the position in January 2024.

CMDR Dobson has two young sons. When she’s not spending time with her kids, she enjoys travel, skiing and riding motorbikes with her partner.
 

Stacy Farrar, Senior Manager Corporate Communications at Qantas Group

Stacy Farrar is a senior manager, corporate communications at Qantas and convenor of the Qantas Group Illuminate staff network, which has over 1800 members from the LGBTQ+ community and allies working in all areas of Qantas and Jetstar.

Stacy was previously a journalist, and in addition to senior roles at the Daily and Sunday Telegraphs, she was the first woman editor of the LGBTQ+ newspaper The Sydney Star Observer, and was also involved in the campaign for marriage equality.

Stacy lives between the Inner West of Sydney and Jervis Bay, NSW, with her wife and two teenage children.
 

Paul Jones, Senior Manager Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MR&O) at Airbus Australia

Paul started his career in British Army Aviation as an Aircraft Engineer in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) attached to the Army Air Corps, repairing and maintaining Aerospatiale Gazelle AH-1 and Westland Lynx Mk7 and 9 helicopters, as well as Britten-Norman Islander and Defender aeroplanes across England, Northern Ireland, Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Seeking greener pastures, improved work / life balance and stability; Paul discharged from the British Army in 2012 and immigrating to Australia, initially working in commercial aviation for Aviation Australia, consulting across the APAC region with civil airlines, operators and defence, predominately in the realms of operations and continuing airworthiness disciplines (Part 145, M / 42, 66 and 147), before making the move to Airbus in 2018. 

Since joining Airbus Paul has led and managed both the Airbus Support Engineering and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul teams across Australia and New Zealand with scope of services that covers both civil and defence aviation, in support of but limited to: ARH Tiger, MRH90 Taipan, C130J-30 Super Hercules, C130H Hercules, AP-3C Orion, NH90, SH-2G Seasprite and T-6C Texan II.

Paul lives in Brisbane with his wife Lisa and their two daughters. 

WGCDR Elisha Kropp, Executive Officer of Directorate of Organisation Behaviour at Royal Australian Air Force

Wing Commander Elisha Kropp joined the Australian Defence Force in 2003. Elisha has enjoyed over twenty years in the Royal Australian Air Force where she has had numerous postings as a Personnel Capability Officer. Elisha is currently posted to Air Force’s Directorate of Organisational Behaviour and Culture as the Executive Officer. 

Elisha has completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History and Management, at the Australian Defence Force Academy. She has also completed a number of postgraduate studies – a Masters of Management Studies through the University of New South Wales, a Masters in Military and Defence Studies through the Australian National University, and a Doctor of Philosophy through the University of New South Wales.

Elisha is married and has two beautiful children. Elisha’s interests include travel, reading, camping, horse riding and socialising with friends and family.
 

Yvette Lutze, Head of Aviation Projects at Toll Aviation

Yvette has almost 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, including commercial, operational, regulatory, and safety management roles. She played a key role in developing strategies, policies, and directions that led to significant and continuous improvement.

Working and flying in various fields, including search and rescue, medical transport, law enforcement, oil and gas, and training sectors, Yvette also led the implementation of complex aviation regulatory governance for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Today, Yvette is Head of Aviation Projects for Toll Aviation, which specialises in providing critical aviation emergency response, government and defence operations and training throughout the Oceania Region. Yvette is passionate about diversity and inclusion and creating pathways for people to enter and have fulfilling careers in the aviation industry.
 

LTCOL Alexandra McDonald, Staff Officer Grade One Future Uncrewed Aerial Systems, Battlefield Aviation Program, Australian Army

LTCOL McDonald (Alex) has spent the past 20 years in Army, with the majority of this time as an Artillery Officer, specialising in Uncrewed Aerial Systems. Alex has had a variety of postings including regimental, training, headquarters, planning and operational. She has deployed twice to Afghanistan with UAS groups on Operation Slipper. She is currently posted into the Army Future UAS position within Army’s Battlefield Aviation Program.
 

Mikalie Nakos, Manager, Early Careers, Diversity & Inclusion at Nova Systems Australia

Mikalie is the Manager of Early Careers and Diversity & Inclusion at Nova Systems. She has over 20 years of experience in the fields of talent acquisition, talent management, workforce development programs and Diversity & Inclusion.

Mikalie is passionate about fostering inclusion and promoting diversity within organisations and works towards ensuring people feel safe, valued and included within their work environments no matter their background or identity.

As a dedicated advocate for workplace inclusion and equality, Mikalie continues to make an impact, inspiring others to break down barriers and create a more inclusive environment for everyone.
 

Captain Lisa Norman, Senior Manager Training Operations at Qantas Group

Captain Lisa Norman has been flying with Qantas for 35 years. Her previous roles included Check and Training Captain on the B767, Manager Introduction for the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Fleet Manager B787-9 and Strategy. Lisa now looks after all Pilot Training including Instructirs for Qantas. During her time at Qantas, Lisa has flown a range of aircraft types, including the Boeing 747-400, Boeing 767, Airbus 330 and now Boeing 787.

After completing her Higher School Certificate, Lisa started her flying career as a Flight Instructor at Tyabb Victoria. She has also completed a Bachelor of Aviation [UWS] studied Financial Management at University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Foreign Exchange trading, Aviation Medicine (RAAF) and external Leadership courses.

Lisa has been fortunate to lead a great team of people landing the first Qantas Dreamliner into Sydney in October 2017. She also flew Seattle to Alice Springs in a Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with a unique indigenous livery based on artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s Yam Dreaming artwork.

In March 2018, Lisa was a Captain on the inaugural Qantas Perth-London service (QF9), creating aviation history by joining the two continents with a non-stop flight. In 2019, Lisa was honoured to receive a presidential invitation to become a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Also in 2019, Lisa was on both New York to Sydney and London to Sydney research flights as part of Project Sunrise. Lisa is also responsible for the Antarctica and Southern Lights charter programs on the B787-9.

After 17 years living in Palm Cove, Lisa now lives in BNE with her partner and two children.
 

Shelley Willsmore, Chief People Officer at Nova Systems Australia

Shelley Willsmore is the Chief People Officer at Nova Systems. She has held senior leadership positions throughout defence industry and the public sector across her career. Shelley has a wealth of national and international experience, having worked in the UK, US and Australia. Her career has spanned multiple functions including HR, legislative affairs, communications, media and marketing. Shelley is passionate about unlocking the potential of people and organisations and does so by connecting people to strategy, enhancing diversity and inclusion and focusing on key levers that will improve organisational performance. She has proven success in organisation transformation, strategic workforce planning, leadership effectiveness, organisation design and cultural evolution.

More speakers to be announced.