2021 winners
and finalists

ACADEMIC OF THE YEAR

Sascha Dov Bachmann, University of Canberra

Karu Esselle, University of Technology Sydney

Michelle Gee, RMIT University
Damien Guihen, University of Tasmania
Chang-Tsun Li, Deakin University
Vicky Mak, Deakin University
Abdulghani Mohamed, RMIT University
Saeid Nahavandi, Deakin University
Giselle Rampersad, Flinders University
Roberto Sabatini, RMIT University

CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR

Paul Barnes, Accenture
Dr Samantha Crompvoets, Rapid Context
Jennifer Del Mastro, Nova Systems
Melinda Halliday, Coras Solutions
Andrew Heasman, Ocean Software
Sarah Howard, Jacobs (formerly Aurecon)
Alby Lombard, Beca
Brendan Maxwell, The Decisive Point

Sarah Pavillard, ADROITA

Emily Petie, GSA Management Consulting

ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

Mino Bucci, DroneShield

Josh Davis, Serco Australia
Aaron Debono, DEWC Services
Jennifer Del Mastro, Nova Systems
Charles Duncan, Boeing Defence Australia
Jason Height, Lockheed Martin Australia
Laura Imber, Airbus
Christopher Olorenshaw, QinetiQ
Derek Reinhardt, Northrop Grumman Australia
David Zemel, AeroPM

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Colin Anstie, RD Consulting
Jim Boekel, Bluerydge
Robert Coorey, Geospatial Intelligence
Allan Dundas, DEWC Services
Adam Frizell, AeroPM
Andrew Gresham, BAE Systems Australia
Rebecca Humble, Nova Systems

Merik Karman, Penten

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield

FEMALE DEFENCE LEADER OF THE YEAR

Kathleen Boseley, Airbus
Emily Frizell, AeroPM
Debbie Herberz, Noetic
Julie Latimore, Serco Australia
Amanda MacKinnell, NIOA (formerly CDIC)
Audra McCarthy, Defence Teaming Centre
Amanda McIntyre, PwC

Tamanna Monem, Queensland AI Hub

Emma Watson, Boeing Defence Australia

GRADUATE OF THE YEAR

Jesse Cilliers, Black Sky Aerospace
Jeff Dore, Nova Systems
Kate Jumeaux, Leidos Australia
Emilie Morscheck, Shoal Group
Lucas Moss, DEWC Services
Eksith Ranasinghe, QinetiQ
Aaron Scott, Boeing Defence Australia

Brett Smith, BAE Systems Maritime Australia

Ben Walsh, Noetic
Martin Williamson, KBR

INDIGENOUS DEFENCE LEADER OF THE YEAR

Jake Adams, Northrop Grumman Australia

Richard Callaghan, TQCSI Yaran
Kieran Hynes, Willyama Services
C.B. (Neal) McGarrity, Bullroarers
Steven Noy, Biodiversity Australia

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR – INDIVIDUAL

Guillaume Jounel, DroneShield
Murielle Kluge, University of Newcastle/Centre for Advanced Training Systems
Brendan Maxwell, The Decisive Point

Saeid Nahavandi, Deakin University

Blake Nikolic, Black Sky Aerospace
Shane "Buzz" Sarlin, Deloitte
Adam Secombe, Boeing Defence Australia
Ben Sologinkin, Northrop Grumman Australia
Stephen Witherden, Beca
Phil Yialeloglou, Penten

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Mellissa Caasi, DEWC Services
Shey Dimon, Penten
Rhianna Harby, Harby Studios
Madison Lowe, Unitronix
Brendan Maxwell, The Decisive Point
Paul Moss, PAL Aerospace
Jo Ramsay, Electro Optic Systems
Amanda Smith, RD Consulting
Shamane Tan, Privasec

Jessica Thomas, Nova Systems

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Ryan Carmichael, The Whiskey Project Group
Jesse Cilliers, Black Sky Aerospace
Zac Clinton, Beca
Alexander Drew, Northrop Grumman Australia
Melanie Hill, QinetiQ
Annie Hu, Serco Australia
Angela Michtits, Jacobs Australia
Leon Purton, Northrop Grumman Australia

Nikita Sardesai, Shoal Group

Emma Watson, Boeing Defence Australia

SCIENTIST OF THE YEAR

Ronel Jit, Avisure
Chang-Tsun Li, Deakin University

Abdulghani Mohamed, RMIT University

Fabio Zambetta, RMIT University

TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Jessica Edwick, Penten
Lalit Gautam, Avanade
Keith Grundy, NIOA
Matt Phillips, Northrop Grumman Australia
Joel Phimphravichith, EOS Defence Systems
Michael Popko, QinetiQ

Szymon Rosinski, Naval Ship Management

John Walsh, Kestrel Aviation
Andrew Williams, Biodiversity Australia
Ben Williams, Serco Australia