Methodology and Judging

Rear Admiral (Ret'd) Bob Love CB, OBE

MSS Transition Advisor
AE2A

A highly experienced, committed and enthusiastic leader who can build and enthuse large teams delivering the most complex high value projects to time cost and quality in difficult political environments. I provide strong governance, leadership and strategic management with the application of well-developed emotional intelligence bringing the very best out of staff. I have successfully delivered programmes from multi- billion dollar aircraft carriers to smaller sustainment, asset management based projects in my two careers to date. I have chaired two successful Alliances, The Design Support Alliance (a multi- million dollar contract) and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (a multi-billion dollar contract). In addition I was fundamental in setting up the new Warship Asset Management Agreement (a multi-billion dollar Alliance supporting the Anzac ships) signed 1 July 2016.
I am a dual-national (UK and Australian) with a current Australian security clearance. I am the proud recipient from Her Majesty the Queen an Order of the British Empire (for the recovery of HMS Nottingham’s grounding off the coast of Australia) and a Companion of the Bath (for services to the Royal Navy and in particular securing the New Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carriers).

The Hon David Johnston

Australian Defence Industry Export Advocate
Commonwealth of Australia

Born and educated in Perth in Western Australia, David attended Wesley College from 1967 – 1973 and then graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1981 with law degrees B.Juris LL.b. 
David was elected to the Australian Parliament as a Senator for Western Australia in 2001 and was a Senator for 15 years.
Prior to that he was a Barrister and Solicitor in Western Australia practicing in the areas of Mining and Crime and lived and worked on the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia for 12 years before returning to Perth to continue in the Law and as a Barrister and In-House Counsel providing advice and representation mainly pertaining to mining matters in Western Australia.
In Parliament David was inter alia, chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee, was appointed by Prime Minister Howard as Minister for Justice and Customs in 2007, was Opposition spokesperson as Shadow Minister on Minerals Energy and Tourism and then Defence from 2009 to 2013 and then Minister for Defence 2013 and 2014.
David has a strong commitment to Australian Defence Industry and the current Australian Government’s budgetry support the Defence portfolio particularly focussing upon Australian naval ship and submarine building.
David is currently sits on the Board of SAAB Technologies Australia, Kalia Ltd (mining), International SOS (advisory board), The Centre for Defence Industry Capability (advisory board), The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (Council), Pelican Clean Energy Pty Ltd (LNG wholesaler) and is the Commonwealth’s Advocate for Australian Defence Industry Exports.

Dr Maria Pozza

Director and Principal Lawyer
Gravity Lawyers

Major General (Ret'd) Gus McLachlan AO

Strategic Defence Advisor (Former Commander, Forces Command Australian Army)
Queensland Dept State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure & Planning

Gus McLachlan grew up in Melbourne before attending the Royal Military College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1985.
His early military career was spent building a foundation of leadership experience. He served on deployments in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq and on exchange with the US Marine Corps. The operational phase of his career concluded with selection to lead the Australian Army’s only Tank Regiment.
In his more senior appointments Major General McLachlan was seconded to the Federal Parliament as the Defence Adviser to the Joint Standing Committee and appointed Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force. In 2009 he was selected to represent Australia on a a placement in the Pentagon where he worked on the first Defense Review of the Obama Administration.
On his returned to Australia he assumed command of the Army’s 1st Brigade in Darwin. The Brigade comprised eight major units ranging from highly lethal armour, artillery and infantry units, to specialist digital communications, engineering, health and logistic units. His three years as the 
Commander coincided with a period of high operating tempo in Afghanistan, East Timor and Solomon Islands.
In 2013 Major General McLachlan completed a 12 month tour in Afghanistan where he was the senior campaign planner for US General Joseph Dunford. His main task was to plan and execute the draw-down of coalition forces, from a peak of over 80,000 down to less than 15,000, while maintaining security and transitioning authority to the emerging Afghan Army. For his service in Afghanistan Major General McLachlan was awarded the US Legion of Merit by the Secretary for Defense, James Mattis.
Major General McLachlan has been responsible for generating Australian Defence capability in cyber space, electronic warfare and command and control systems. He completed two years as Head of Army Modernisation, during which time he worked closely with industry to commence a major recapitalisation of Army equipment and to network the systems of the Army.
From December 2016 to December 2018 Major General McLachlan led Land forces Command, the largest organisation in the Defence Force,. This role included the responsibility to train and sustain 
35,000 members of the Army, from entry level recruits through to the generation of combat brigades, helicopters and drones. He led a major structural transformation of the command that redirected more than 2000 personnel from traditional roles in order to develop new cyber and electronic warfare forces.
Since retiring from the military he has been appointed Adjunct Professor at Monash University where he advises on linking innovation and research to Defence and National Security institutions. He advises the Queensland Government on strategies to optimise Defence industries in the state and he has been appointed as a Director of US technology company L3 Harris’s Australian Board of Management.
In 2018 Gus McLachlan was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his leadership and contribution to Army modernisation. In addition to his Bachelor of Arts degree he has a Master’s 
Degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Canberra. He is also a graduate of the Harvard 
Advanced Management Program. He is married to Maree and they have two adult sons. In his spare time he enjoys hiking and ocean swimming.

George Mifsud

Director
Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium

With over 25 years’ experience in Senior Executive Leadership roles, his working career has spanned the 
globe and is a success story to be shared. While employed with Compass Group, George thrived as the 
Executive Director, his main responsibilities included HR/IR; Risk Management; Health, Safety, Environment and Quality; and Media Relations.
George is a committed advocate of sustainable outcomes in the area of both Indigenous employment and Indigenous business.
Under George’s leadership, Compass Group achieved a number of important milestones in its pursuit to promote Indigenous economic development including the following awards: Inaugural recipient of the Prime Minister's Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Award; judged one of the "Top Ten Best Employers in Australia"; winner of the "Prime Minister's Employer of the Year" award ; the IFAP Safe Way Gold 
Award and in 2010, the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) “Industry Innovation” Award in recognition of our pioneering role in implementing Indigenous joint venture and employment strategies, the Restaurant and Catering George Muir Professional Development award for Indigenous Development programs in 2013. The Supply Nation of the year Corporate member in 2014.
Now a Director of the Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC), George and the team at the iDiC are at the forefront of change working closely with federal and state governments, captains of corporate industry and prime contractors; and have the opportunity to innovate and develop a better future.
George is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is the Chair of Sydney Montessori School and was a director Restaurant & Catering Australia, Supply Nation and the Sydney Convention and Exhibition centre.
George is married to Krista, has 4 daughters and enjoys being with family and connecting with the land and water.

Glenn Johnston

Director, Procurement Sustainability
Transport for NSW

Glenn Johnston has over 25 years' experience in procurement and logistics management across different industries, market leading companies and government. He is currently Director of Procurement Sustainability at Transport for NSW, Group Rail. He has a Master’s degree in Logistics management.
Glenn is a nationally recognised procurement expert and thought leader with a deep and proud passion for Indigenous business engagement. By helping Indigenous businesses grow, develop and prosper, Glenn firmly believes that this will lead to greater opportunities for Indigenous employment and a more inclusive economy.
Glenn was the recipient of the 2016 Supply Nation Procurement Professional of the Year Award in recognition of his work developing and engaging Indigenous businesses. He is a Fellow (Chartered status) of CIPS and Chair of the NSW Chapter of CIPS. Glenn is also a Board Member of Supply Nation and the AIATSIS Foundation.
In August-September 2016, Glenn became a Jawun program secondee and spent 6 weeks living with the Aboriginal Community of Lockhart River (Far North Qld), considered to be the most remote Aboriginal Community in Australia. During this time he helped the Mayor, CEO, Councillors, Elders and motivated locals develop a framework to enable less reliance on welfare and employment by the Council, through building small businesses with a goal of achieving self-determination though economic opportunities. Living with the Aboriginal Community also highlighted the importance of preserving the Indigenous culture through language, songlines, music, dance and art.
Glenn is a Dharug man from Western Sydney and still lives on traditional Dharug land in Glenhaven.

Glenn Kunning

Self Employed Business Coach
Futureways

Glenn Kunning is a Director of Futureways Pty Ltd specialising in provision of a business coaching service within the mortgage broking market across Australia. With greater than two decades of management, human resources, sales and marketing experience, Glenn Kunning has developed an expertise in identifying and resolving ineffective marketing strategies, recruitment and retention gaps and missed revenue opportunities using a vast array of dedicated listening and dialogue approaches to coach and train individuals and organisations around Australia. He tailors a program for each client based on individual business needs.
Glenn skilfully guides his clients in developing and implementing turnaround strategies to increase revenue. As an entrepreneur he also seeks to partner with them teaching them to make a better living doing what they love.
He is a Sales and Marketing Specialist with a passion and expertise for driving new business development. He launched his coaching business in February 2009 after enjoying many years of success working with some of the top 100 companies in 
Australia. Companies such as ANZ, Mortgage Choice, RAMS, Heritage Building Society, St George, and Bank-West are organisations where he provided leadership and management to large high performing sales teams while facilitating strategies for growth and profitability.
Since launching his coaching business, Glenn has worked with large broking brands such as LJ Hooker Financial Services, QInvest Loan Finder, AFG, Connective, PLAN, Coronis Financial Services, and various independent brokers across Australia. Areas of expertise provided include helping business owners taking an idea from concept to implementation, business development, sales management, recruitment and various other strategies for business growth.
He is a respected member of the judging panel for the Australian Broking Awards, and a member of the Australian Institute of Management and a Senior Associate of FINSIA.
His techniques, based on the premise of mutual respect, understanding and confidentiality have produced solid results for businesses seeking to increase revenue and gain market share.
As a Sales Specialist he has coached and mentored executives on issues relating to organisational development, employee relations and various business models helping them to align their recruitment, sales and marketing strategies with overall business objectives.
Glenn is married with two children. He holds a Bachelor of Business from the University College of Southern Queensland.

Ian Irving

Managing Director
Altilus

Ian Irving is a well known and high profile Australian Defence & National Security Industry senior executive.
Ian has more than 30 years’ experience at senior executive levels within the Australian defence and aerospace industry, and in 2019 was appointed as the Chief Executive of the Naval Shipbuilding Institute, responsible for the delivery of Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding College.
Most recently Ian was Chief Executive for Northrop Grumman Australia, with responsibility for leading the development of Northrop Grumman within Australia, taking the company from inception to one of the major ongoing contributors to Australia’s national security capabilities.
Ian has also held responsibility as Vice President, Land Systems and deputy Chief Executive 
officer at Thales Australia, where he held various leadership positions over a period spanning twelve years. Including responsibility for the management of Australia’s armaments and munitions factories and the development of Australia’s local protected military vehicle capability. This was preceded by eleven years with Rockwell and Boeing Australia.
Over the last three decades Ian has held senior positions within industry across many of 
Australia’s major land, sea and air defence procurement and sustainment programmes. This 
has included responsibility for the delivery of major defence systems, the conduct of leading 
edge research and development, and the establishment of industrial capabilities delivering 
key defence exports for Australia. In 2018 Ian was selected by his peers as the Chair of the 
peak Australian defence industry body, the Australian Industry Group (AiG), Defence National 
Executive Council.
Ian is an Honours graduate in Electrical Engineering from Sydney University. He is a member 
of the Board of Directors of The Sir Richard Williams Foundation, and is a member of the 
Australian Institute of Company Directors

Innes Willox

Chief Executive
The Australian Industry Group

Innes Willox is Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, a leading industry organisation representing businesses in a broad range of sectors including manufacturing, construction, transport, defence, ICT and labour hire. Innes was appointed Chief Executive in May 2012.
His current appointments include:
<ul>
<li>Director of Australian Super</li>
<li>Director of the Innovative Manufacturing Co-operative Research Centre</li>
<li>Board Member of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue</li>
<li>Chair of the Migration Council of Australia</li>
<li>Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Skilled Migration</li>
<li>Chair of the RMIT College of Business Industry Advisory Board</li>
<li>Convenor of the Industry 4.0 Advanced Manufacturing Forum</li>
</ul>
Innes served as the Australian Consul General to Los Angeles from 2006 to 2008, where he represented wide-ranging Australian interests on the west coast of the United States, including in the areas of trade, finance, culture, bio-technology, environment and energy sectors.
He was Chief of Staff to the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, from 2004 to 2006. 
Earlier, Innes held a number of private sector and government positions including Manager of Global Public Affairs for Singapore Airlines based in Singapore (2000-04). 
Innes began his working career as a journalist. His positions included Chief of Staff at The Age newspaper in Melbourne and Chief Political Correspondent for The Age in the Canberra Parliamentary Press Gallery. 
Innes was educated at Melbourne High School; Monash University (BA History and Politics); and Edinburgh Business School. He is based in Melbourne and is a lifetime supporter of the Collingwood Football Club.

Jevan Goodhew

Director - Defence Industry
ANZ Banking Group

Jevan Goodhew is the Director for the Defence Industry at ANZ Institutional Bank and is an industry specialist responsible for leading ANZ’s engagement with the Defence Primes and delivering financial solutions for the defence industry. 
Jevan’s time at ANZ has predominantly been in business development roles where he gained extensive experience with SME, corporate, institutional and government clients. Additionally, he has undertaken international postings to New Zealand, Singapore, India and most recently, Papua New Guinea where he led and coached a team of research analysts covering large local and multinational corporations.
With a strong passion for business, Jevan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and is currently a candidate in INSEAD’s Global Executive Master of Business Administration program from which he will graduate in December this year. 
Jevan commenced officer training in the Australian Army whilst studying his undergraduate degree, and graduated in 2008 from the Royal Military College after completing the Reserve General Service Officer First Appointment Course. He was appointed to the Royal Australian Armoured Corps and has since held a number of command and instructional appointments. He is currently a Captain and is looking forward to the challenges of his next command appointment.

John Harvey AM

NSW Defence Advocate (Former Chief Capability Development Group)
NSW Treasury

John is a retired Air Marshal in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) having spent 35 years 
in the Air Force in a wide variety of roles. 
His ADF career had early emphasis on employment as a Navigator and weapons officer in Canberra and F-111 aircraft and later in more diverse roles such as flight test, technical intelligence, military strategy, Visiting Fellow Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University, instructor at the Australian Defence College and Defence Attache Southern Europe (representing the ADF in Italy, Israel, Greece and Turkey).
John has had extensive experience in the Defence capability development process in his appointments as Air Warfare Adviser within Force Development and Analysis, Director General Aerospace Development, Director General New Air Combat Capability, and Program Manager New Air Combat Capability (NACC) within the Defence Materiel Organisation.
In October 2010 John was promoted to the rank of Air Marshal and appointed as Chief Capability Development Group (CCDG) with responsibility for requirements development and obtaining government approval for approximately 200 projects with a total value of approximately $200 billion.
John has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Master of 
Letters (Psychology), a Master of Information Science and a PhD in Computer Science. 
John is currently the Defence Advocate for NSW, a Visiting Fellow at UNSW (Canberra) in the School of Engineering and Information Technology, is a Tae Kwondo instructor and runs a beef cattle farm outside of Canberra.

John O'Callaghan

Victorian Defence Industry Advocate
Victorian Government

Mr John O’Callaghan offers a wealth of defence industry experience and knowledge, with a career spanning both defence industry and Department of Defence.
Mr O’Callaghan spent 15 years in the Department of Defence, including as executive assistant to the Secretary, Department of Defence; Senior Executive Officer, Intelligence and Security Co-ordination; Assistant Secretary, Major Capital Equipment Co-ordination; Assistant Secretary, Special Naval Communications Project; and private secretary to former Minister for Defence Kim Beazley. Mr O’Callaghan later became senior parliamentary adviser to Mr Beazley.
Mr O'Callaghan is a member of the advisory board of defence electrical systems and C4I provider, Cablex. Prior to this, he spent five years as Executive Director of the Australian Industry Group Defence Council, providing advocacy and support to CEOs of Australia’s leading defence companies on issues pertaining to the future of Australia’s defence industry.
Mr O’Callaghan has been a member of the Defence Council Victoria since 2017. In February 2019, the Victorian Government appointed Mr O’Callaghan as the new Victorian Defence Industry Advocate to showcase Victoria’s defence capabilities across Australia and overseas.

Joseph Catanzariti AM

Vice President
Fair Work Commission

Joseph Catanzariti AM is a Vice President of the Fair Work Commission, the national workplace relations tribunal.
Prior to his appointment to the Fair Work Commission, Joseph was a senior Partner of Clayton Utz and Practice Leader of the Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety Practice Group. Joseph was a trusted adviser to many of Australia’s leading companies and government departments. Joseph was also a highly experienced Commercial Litigator.
Joseph is a Visiting Professorial Fellow of the School of Law and the Faculty of Law at the University of New South Wales, and an Adjunct Associate Professor in Work and Organisational Studies, School of Business at Sydney University. 
Joseph is the Chair of the College of Law. 
Joseph is also co-author of Workplace Bullying published by LexisNexis.
He has previously held the positions of President of the Law Council of Australia, President of the NSW Law Society, Chair of the Workplace Committee of the Law Society of New South Wales (2000 - 2013), and Secretary of the Industrial Relations Society of Australia (1997-2011).
Joseph was awarded Life Time Recognition, Industrial Relations Society of Australia / Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association 2011, and the Industrial Relations Society of New South Wales in 2015.
Joseph is a fellow of the Academy of Law.
On 26 January 2016 Joseph was made a Member of the Order of Australia

Justin Forsell

Chief Legal Counsel
NBN Co

Dr. Malcolm Ronald Davis

Senior Analyst – Defence Strategy and Capability
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Dr. Malcolm Davis joined ASPI as a Senior Analyst in Defence Strategy and Capability in January 2016. He is undertaking policy analysis and research on issues such as Australian Defence Policy and Force Structure; Chinese military modernisation; The future of air and space power; and broadly, future military technology and future war. He is currently working on three major projects at ASPI – an examination of Australia’s options for independent space capabilities; an exploration of unmanned systems and the future of Australian airpower; and finally a major project examining the potential for Australia to transition from conventional to nuclear-powered and propelled submarines. He writes regularly for the ASPI blog, The Strategist (see enclosed links), and has undertaken work-related trips to the United States and Taiwan in 2016. He contributes to ASPI activities, and most recently was the Editor of ASPI’s ‘Agenda for Change 2016’ Strategy paper which was the incoming government brief prepared by ASPI staff prior to the 2016 Federal Election. This publication was released on 7th June 2016. 
Prior to joining ASPI, he was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in China-Western Relations with the Faculty of Society and Design at Bond University from March 2012 to January 2016, and he currently retains an Honorary Assistant Professor position in the Faculty. During his time at Bond University he completed a manuscript for his first book, War, Transformation and Asian Security – China’s Military Power. This book is in post peer-review amendments stage and upon successful completion, will be published by Routledge UK in 2017. He was responsible for teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses on Strategic Studies and International Relations, and working with faculty staff to further develop International Relations as a research and teaching area at Bond. He was the inaugural Visiting Fellow at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, where he undertook research and teaching activities in 2014, and was a regular participant in the East Asia Security Symposium and Conference held at CFAU. 
He has worked with the Department of Defence from November 2007 to March 2012. This was initially as Staff Officer Strategy (APS-6) with Navy HQ, Directorate of Navy Strategy and Futures from November 2007 – June 2009, and then as Assistant Director (EL-1) with Strategic Policy Guidance, Strategic Policy Division from June 2009 to August 2011. He also undertook duties as an Assistant Director in Strategic External Relations and Education from August 2011 to March 2012. During his time with Navy HQ, he was the lead author on the Future Maritime Operating Concept (FMOC) study, Plan Blue and the Navy Strategy, as well as providing strategic guidance to Navy staff and liaising with the Defence Space Coordination Office for the development of Navy Space Policy and Capabilities. He undertook support of Navy’s contribution to the Advanced Command and Staff Course (ACSC) at Australian Defence College, and participated in the Navy Experimentation Headmark exercises. 
His time as Assistant Director Strategic Policy with Strategic Policy Division saw him participate in preparation of the highly classified Defence Planning Guidance (DPG), focusing on force structure issues. He also prepared government briefs on issues such as Chinese military modernisation, Chinese defence and strategic policy, and North Korean and Iranian WMD proliferation. He participated in early analysis work for SEA 1000 Future Submarine with Capability Development Group, and represented Strategic Policy Division at the National Intelligence Council Management Committee (NICMC) process. His time with Strategic Policy Division culminated with participation on the 2011 Overseas Studies Visit to China, South Korea and Guam, including diplomatic engagement with PLA staff at National Defence University in Beijing, as well as PLAN staff at North Sea Fleet HQ in Qingdao, and South Korean Armed Forces personnel in Seoul. 
Prior to this appointment he was a Lecturer in Defence Studies with Kings College London at the Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC), in Shrivenham, UK, from June 2000 to October 2007. This is the UK’s equivalent to Australian Defence College at Weston Creek, and his duties included teaching on all academic courses including the Advanced Command and Staff Course (ACSC), Single-service courses such as the Intermediate Command and Staff Course and Junior Officers Command Course for the RAF, and Royal Navy Intermediate Staff Course. He ran his own MA course on Spacepower and this included an opportunity to deliver an intensive MA level course on the Military use of Space at the Royal Netherlands Defence College in Delft in 2006. 
He holds a PhD in Strategic Studies from the University of Hull with his thesis on the Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) in Asia. This was prepared under the supervision of Dr. Eric Grove, one of the world’s leading naval experts, as well as Dr. Tim Huxley, currently the director of IISS in Asia. He also holds two Masters Degrees in Strategic Studies, including from the Australian National University’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre.

Mark Hodgson

CEO
Mark Hodgson Transformational Leadership

Michael McLeod

CEO
Message Stick Group

Personal Life 
Michael McLeod has been described by a senior Federal politician as one of Australia’s most valuable 
sons. Michael and his family are part of Australia’s stolen generations. At the age of two, Michael 
and his siblings were taken from their parents – never to be reunited as a family. Michael grew up 
on his own in State ward homes and foster homes. He first met his mother at his father’s funeral. 
By his mid-twenties, he was a chronic alcoholic and heroin addict. By his early thirties Michael was 
homeless and living on the streets of Sydney. A successful rehabilitation program has seen Michael 
clean and sober for fifteen years. Michael didn’t want to be the typical Aboriginal man, dependent 
on Government social handouts or welfare. He refused employment benefits and Aboriginal housing 
benefits and chose to do it the hard way – he started his own niche telecommunications business. 
Today Message Stick is a growing multimillion dollar business and has no debt. The business paid 
back the initial start-up capital in its third year.
Message Stick Group 
Message Stick is a unique business in that it is owned by Aboriginal Australians. The company was 
started in 2003 to show that Aboriginal Australians can own and manage a services business that 
engages with large corporations and Government agencies. The business does not seek any 
sponsorship, donations or social grants whatsoever. They seek only the opportunity to prove 
themselves and to be treated as worthy business partners.
The principals of Message Stick believe that business ownership, asset ownership, wealth creation 
and personal accountability are the key features for ending poverty and welfare dependency of 
Indigenous Australians. Most Indigenous Australians who have a dream to own their own business 
would not have the confidence to approach corporate Australia and ask for business opportunities. 
Michael McLeod and his Message Stick business model are trying to show that corporate Australia 
will give Aboriginal business a fair hearing.
Message Stick has two core competencies; Unified Communications (comprising of Audio, Video and 
Web Conferencing services), and Professional Services (including SAP Consultants and services).
Message Stick’s customers include Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, Leighton, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, 
Gilbert + Tobin, Lend Lease, BUPA, Allens Linklaters, Qantas, Accor Hotels, Clayton Utz, Salmat, 
Compass Group, Staples and Johnson & Johnson. Michael is particularly proud of his numerous NSW 
state and Federal Government customers who include Prime Ministers and Cabinet, FaHCSIA, 
AusAID, IBA, DRALGAS and Reconciliation Australia.
Message Stick is also working closely with the Federal Government, the Chamber and the Business 
Council of Australia to change Government policy approach to Indigenous Australians – with 
significant success. The Government is now shifting from a complete welfare and subsidy based 
focus to developing policies around supporting real economic development, including business 
ownership and entrepreneurialism.

Michelle Price

CEO
AustCyber

Michelle Price is the CEO for AustCyber. She was the inaugural Chief Operating Officer of AustCyber, joining the company in January 2017 and appointed as CEO in April 2018. Prior to joining AustCyber, Michelle was the first Senior Adviser for Cyber Security at the National Security College within The Australian National University, where she established an integrated approach to the College’s cyber security program across executive and postgraduate education and policy engagement.
Before joining the ANU, Michelle was with the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), where she was instrumental to the delivery of the Australian Government’s 2015 Cyber Security Review and Cyber Security Strategy. In a previous role at PM&C, Michelle delivered the National Security Strategic Risk Framework (the first of its kind in the world) and Coordinated National Security Budget.
Prior to PM&C, Michelle worked in several strategy and risk roles across Government, having moved to the public service from the communication and media sector and the food safety segment of Australia’s food manufacturing sector.
Michelle is passionate about Australia’s cyber security sector enabling all Australian organisations to grow and take advantage of the cyber world. She is also a strong advocate for increasing diversity in the cyber security workforce and helping people be inspired by the possibilities of cyber innovation.
AustCyber was established in 2017 as part of the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Centres Initiative and announced both as part of the Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda and Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy.

Neville Hurst

Senior Lecturer
RMIT University

Lt Gen (Ret'd) Peter Leahy AC

Director National Security Institute
University of Canberra

Peter Leahy AC retired from the Australian Army in July 2008, after 37 years in the Army, as a Lieutenant General in the position of Chief of Army, a position he held for 6 years. 
Among his qualifications he holds a BA (Military Studies) and a Master of Military Arts and Science. He is a graduate of the Australian Army’s and United States of America’s Staff Colleges, a Fellow of the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies and a graduate of the British Higher Command and Staff Course.
He is a Professor and the foundation Director of the National Security Institute at the University of Canberra. His main passion at the University of Canberra is teaching undergraduates on matters relating to national security and the challenge of modern terrorism. 
He is a director of ASX listed companies, Codan Limited, Citadel Group Limited, Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited and a member of the advisory board of WarpForge Limited. 
In work related to charities he is the Chairman of Soldier On, the Red Shield Appeal Committee in the ACT, the Australian Student Veterans Association and the Australian International Military Games, which brought the Invictus Games to Sydney in 2018. 
He is a member of the First Principles Review of the Department of Defence, a member of the Advisory Council of China Matters and the Strategic Defence Advisor – Land and Chief Defence Advisor to the Queensland Government.

Rear Admiral Raydon Gates AO, CSM

Defence Advocate
Western Australia

Raydon was appointed as the Defence Advocate for Western Australia in August 2017. Reporting directly to the Minister for Defence Issues he provides independent advice and assistance to the Western Australian Government in promoting WA’s defence industry capability. As well as providing strategic advice to Government on defence matters, in the role of Defence Advocate, he provides advice to the Minister and Defence West to enable WA to secure a greater share of work in naval shipbuilding and other capability streams through actively promoting WA’s capability and capacity. 
He also holds a number of additional non-executive and pro-bono director positions: QinetiQ Australia, Elbit Systems Australia, Cablex, MicroSecure, New South Wales Centenary of ANZAC Advisory Council, University of NSW Canberra Advisory Council and University of Adelaide Research Unit on Military Law and Ethics.
Most recently, after six years as Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand he retired from Lockheed Martin in January 2017. Under his leadership Lockheed Martin enjoyed significant growth in Orders and Sales plus doubled the Australian and New Zealand workforce. Major acquisition wins included the MH-60 Romeo helicopter, confirmation of 72 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, ADF Pilot Training Program and Combat System for the Future Submarine.
Prior to Lockheed Martin he served in the Royal Australian Navy for 37 years retiring in 2008 as a Rear Admiral. A seaman officer, his sea service culminated with the command of two guided missile frigates. His flag officer appointments include the inaugural Commander of the Australian Defence College, Maritime Commander Australia (including operational service during the 2003 Iraq war), and Defence Attaché and Head Australian Defence Staff in Washington DC. 
In his post navy career Raydon was the CEO of the Kokoda Foundation and a private consultant working in the Defence Industry and National Security areas. He also had mentoring/coaching roles in Leadership and Strategic studies at the Australian Defence College. 
Raydon has been awarded a Masters Degree in Business Administration (Monash), a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies, and a Diploma of Company Directorship. He is a graduate of a number of strategic leadership management programs from Mt Eliza (Victoria) Management College, Australian Graduate School of Management, Oxford University and Harvard University. 
His honours and awards include his appointment as an Officer in the Order of Australia, the Conspicuous Service Medal, the United States’ Legion of Merit and the French Order of Maritime Merit. He has also been appointed as a Honorary Fellow of Monash University.
He is a native of Western Australia and with his wife Alison is presently residing in the ACT.

Renae Lattey

Managing Partner, Clients and Mergers & Acquisitions
King & Wood Mallesons

Robert Cutler

Chief Executive Partner
Clayton Utz

Robert is Clayton Utz's Chief Executive Partner.
Robert has significant experience and history with Clayton Utz. Rob joined the firm in Sydney in 1991 and became a partner in 1998. He carved out a successful career in Litigation and Dispute Resolution. Rob served as partner in charge of the Canberra office from 2000 to 2004.
Robert is committed to the firm's vision to be the leading law firm in Australia. He chairs the Clayton Utz Diversity Council and promotes diversity and inclusion outside the firm through various roles, including being a BoardLinks Champion and a Pay Equity Ambassador for the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
Rob has been recognised by the peer review guide "Best Lawyers" as one of Australia's best lawyers in Litigation, ADR and Public Law and is listed by Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a "Recommended Practitioner" for Dispute Resolution. 
Rob was awarded the 2016 Australian Law Awards Managing Partner of the Year and Excellence awards, the 2017 and 2018 Australasian Law Awards Law Firm Leader of the Year (for more than 200 employees) award and is a finalist in the 2018 Australian Law Awards Managing Partner of the Year . 
Qualifications 
Robert has a Bachelor of Arts (1984) and Bachelor of Laws (1986) both from the University of Sydney. He is a graduate of University of London (Queen Mary & Westfield College) where he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law (1990).

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