2026 Winners and Finalists

Academic/Researcher of the Year

Mohiuddin Ahmed, Adelaide University
Abu Barkat ullah, University of Canberra
Nick Bennett, University of Technology Sydney
Asim Bhatti, Deakin University
John Coyne, Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Sonja Frölich, DefenSight and Adelaide University

Oleksandra Molloy, University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy

Miranda Van Hooff, Gallipoli Medical Research

Engineer of the Year - SME

Gareth Buckett, AeroPM
Robb Cameron-Rogers, Conscia
Elizabeth Cowling, NEXEC Consulting

David De Haaij, RFShop and Black Art Technologies

Andrew Fletcher, CEA Technologies
Alice Haddon, Chief Fluid Systems
Craig Keogh, Aurizn
Alex Murphy, Ausco Group (Ausco Products and Ausco Marine)
Jared Silbermann, Mission Systems
Ryan Walls, Department 13 International

Engineer of the Year - Large Organisation

Brian Balshaw, Raytheon Australia
Matthew Frazer, Navantia Australia
Kristoffer Grande, Amentum Australia
Alex Hill, Airbus Australia Pacific
Salil Kanhere, University of New South Wales
Thierry Oblin, CAE Australia
Nathan Rickard, Downer Defence
Miki Ta, Systra ANZ

Daniel Todspe, Department of Defence

Richard Watson, Lockheed Martin Australia

Executive of the Year - Large Organisation

Antonella Banno, Ventia

David Barter, Beca
Asim Bhatti, Deakin University
Leighton Freene, Kinetic IT
Perry Singh, Toll Group

Executive of the Year - SME

Emilio De Stefano, De Stefano & Co

Allan Dundas, DEWC Services

Louis Gamarra, DroneShield
Matt Hill, Hypersonix Launch Systems
David Jam, Vertical Scope Group
Patrick O'Neill, Eolas Solutions
Paul Singer, Soldier On
Ben Westgarth, Department 13 International
Kate Whitehead, Avant Group
Peter Woods, Sovereign Propulsion Systems

Female Defence Leader of the Year - Large Organisation

Antonella Banno, Ventia
Catherine Haynes, Babcock
Kelly Hopkins, Hays

Bibi Rukhsaar Ibrahim, Navantia Australia

Liz Kobold, Defence Trailblazer
Bridget Makepeace, Aurecon
Jenine McCoach, Toll Group
Elizabeth Wells, Lockheed Martin Australia
Ashleigh Wuttke, Babcock

Female Defence Leader of the Year - SME

Laheeb Al Turk, Orontide
Alice Haddon, Chief Fluid Systems
Mandy Haddon, Chief Fluid Systems
Anthea Koerbin, CEA Technologies
Virginia McDougall, Cubic Defence Australia
Celanie Meyer, Ascent
Sari Mustonen-Kirk, WorkSec
Julia O'Callaghan, DefendTex Research Labs

Kate Whitehead, Avant Group

Indigenous Defence Leader of the Year

Jebb Hutchison, TVN On-Country

Steve Noy, Biodiversity Australia

Project Manager of the Year

Mythraie Ambikaipalan, Downer Defence

Michelle Davies, CEA Technologies

Megan Dean, Australian Maritime College | University of Tasmania
Rosanna Domenici, Department of Defence
Jeremy Nelson, Core Defence Australia
Nikki Searle, Aurecon
Shelly Sinha-Hollier, Leidos Australia
Paul Sullivan, Cubic Defence Australia
Brett Weinman, AeroPM
Kenneth Young, ASC

Rising Star of the Year - Large Organisation

Matthew Astell, Aurecon
Amber Croft, Thales Australia
Mikayla Ellis, Lockheed Martin Australia
Changhun Han, Navantia Australia
Thomas Hirst, Atturra
Imrana Kabir, University of New South Wales

Jorgie McKenzie, Raytheon Australia

Isabelle McMahon, KPMG Australia
Joseph Patterson, Airbus Australia Pacific
Diego Portilla Ducuara, Navantia Australia

Rising Star of the Year - SME

Sonja Frölich, DefenSight and Adelaide University
Alex Hamer, Avant Group
Jesse Jones, DEWC Services
Maxwell King, ArmaTech Industries
Maddison McRae, Department 13 International

Alex Murphy, Ausco Group (Ausco Products and Ausco Marine)

Carly Rosenthal, Zilor Group
Robert Squires, Aviation Safety Group
Miah Taniela, Touchpoint Technology
Gerard Viccars, AeroPM

Technician of the Year

Peter Abela, Chief Fluid Systems
Tim Carlon, Northrop Grumman Australia
Lachlan Czaplinski, CEA Technologies
Everest De Havilland, Supacat
Mihan Jizan, Serco
Hardik Kadavala, Stahl Metall
Maxwell King, ArmaTech Industries

CJ Muller, Northrop Grumman Australia

Brett Page, Raytheon Australia
Tom Pearce, OCRT Consulting