THE PROGRESS REPORT: Leading at sea and beyond: A conversation with Rear Admiral Van Stralen

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

How do you forge a trailblazing path and rise to leadership in the Australian Defence Force? In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect’s Tash Taylor sits down with Rear Admiral Letitia Van Stralen, head of Military Personnel for the Australian Defence Force.

How do you forge a trailblazing path and rise to leadership in the Australian Defence Force? In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect’s Tash Taylor sits down with Rear Admiral Letitia Van Stralen, head of Military Personnel for the Australian Defence Force.

ADML Van Stralen shares how her 30-year journey began with a law degree, which led her to being one of the first women on a Navy destroyer, evolving into senior leadership roles shaping the future of the ADF.

From mentoring young women, navigating deployments, and building supportive networks to advocating for diversity and inclusion across the force, ADML Van Stralen opens up about the resilience, determination, and opportunities that have defined her career.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Progress Report team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: PODCAST: Defence export ambitions, drone technology and defence manufacturing hubs
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Episode 9: SPOTLIGHT: Cyber warfare, autonomy and the future of defence, with Palo Alto Networks’ Tom Scully and MAJGEN (Ret’d) John Davis
Episode 8: CONTESTED GROUND: Fortune favours the bold – building a national security strategy for the 21st century, with Marc Ablong
Episode 7: PODCAST: Developing Australia’s ability to take a hit and keep fighting, with the honourable Andrew Hastie MP, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability
Episode 6: PODCAST: AUKUS expansion, artillery manufacturing and Australia’s regional defence role
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: Building mass, capability and trust with autonomous and uncrewed systems, with Michael Mitchell, Elysium EPL director
Episode 4: PODCAST: Defence policy, domestic manufacturing and military culture, with Senator Malcolm Roberts
Episode 3: SPOTLIGHT: LAND 156, counter-drone warfare and electronic warfare capability, with Department 13’s Ben Westgarth
Episode 2: PODCAST: Australia’s first 3D printed autonomous USV, with Josh Wigley and Harry Hubbert