2026 Winners and Finalists

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Best Aerospace Technical Specialist Under 35

Douglas De Souza

Danielle Harris, BAE Systems Australia

Kathiravan Thangavel, GroundZero Space
Shreyas Urunkar, Akula Tech
Morgan van Hoffen, University of Southern Queensland

Best Cyber Technician or Specialist Under 35

Nathan Booth, Mercury Information Security Services
Mohammed Haif, Infotrust
Tyler Mcgowan, NORSTA North
Tom Pearce, OCRT Consulting
Kiaan Shah, Cyber Forte
Michael Tran, Informatech

Xu Wang, University of Technology Sydney

Navid Yazdanjue, University of Technology Sydney

Best Female Technical Specialist Under 35

Isabella Baker, Infotrust

Emily Chuong, Lockheed Martin Australia

Alice Haddon, Chief Fluid Systems
Danielle Harris, BAE Systems Australia
Cherie Moon, Thales Australia
Georgia Schreenan, JVAT
Alice Sheaves, L3Harris Communications Australia

Best HR Specialist Under 35

Darcy Brighton, OCRT Consulting

Nicole Castro, Navantia Australia
Rhien Finlayson, Business Review Group
Madeline Keane, Zilor Group
Daniel Newberry, Shadowgate Partners

Best Land Technical Specialist Under 35

Esteban Andrade, Advanced Navigation

Bharath Mani, Birdon
Ahmad Raza, Curtin University
Alice Sheaves, L3Harris Communications Australia

Best Maritime Technical Specialist Under 35

Tyron Bettison, NORSTA Maritime
Jared Brancato, Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia
Alice Haddon, Chief Fluid Systems
Sam Hunnibell, AMC Search

Peter Kabakov, Thales Australia

Joel McDarra, Chief Fluid Systems
Rory McGuinness, Navantia Australia
Dale Parker, Penske Australia & New Zealand

Best Marketing/Communications Specialist Under 35

Jess Masters, Defence Trailblazer (Adelaide University and UNSW)

Gemma Tait, Adecco DFR

Best Project Manager Under 35

Ashhab Bari, OCRT Consulting
William Dayman, Sheldon (Formerly Droneshield)
Alice Haddon, Chief Fluid Systems
Damian Huxtable, Babcock

Sarah Mortimer, Aurecon

Tara Quinn, The Creative Element
Dannielle Tasker, The Factor

Best Diversity and Inclusion Program or Initiative

Empirical Solutions

Defence-Aurecon
VESPIIA
Bullroarers Australia
The Asstembly, Aurizn and University of Tasmania Australian Maritime College
Vertical Scope Group

Best Change Management Implementation Program or Initiative

Bullroarers Australia
KPMG

GSA Management Consulting

Best Employee Incentive Program, Initiative or Event

Babcock

JVAT

Best Future Skills Provider

Flight One School of Engineering
University of Newcastle
TAFE NSW
Thales Australia

Flinders University

Best Indigenous Workforce Development Program

Education Services International Supply Group

JY Australia
Gunggandji Aerospace
Bullroarers Australia

Best Reservist/Volunteer Support Program

Mercury Information Security Services
Hanwha Defence Australia
Boeing Australia

Trojan’s Trek Foundation Limited

Best Training and Development Program

University of South Australia
Flight One School of Engineering
Halliday Engineering

Defence Trailblazer

The Asstembly
Space Industry Association of Australia
GSA Management Consulting
Babcock
Vertical Scope Group

Best Veteran Support Program

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Cubic Defence Australia

Aspen Medical
Bullroarers Australia
Soldier On
Department for Correctional Services
Kinetic IT
Trojan’s Trek Foundation Limited

Best Wellness and Health Program

JVAT
Soldier On
Department for Correctional Services