THE PROGRESS REPORT: The power of persistence and passion in aviation

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

A chance meeting with an astronaut changed Riley Havela’s life, diverting her path from medicine straight into the world of aerospace engineering. In this episode of Defence Connect’s The Progress Report, host Tash Taylor sits down with Riley Havela, founder of Riley the Aero Girl.

A chance meeting with an astronaut changed Riley Havela’s life, diverting her path from medicine straight into the world of aerospace engineering. In this episode of Defence Connect’s The Progress Report, host Tash Taylor sits down with Riley Havela, founder of Riley the Aero Girl.

She reveals how simply “shooting your shot” opens doors to valuable connections and emphasises that networking and passion are the ultimate fuels for success. The discussion dives into overcoming imposter syndrome, the necessity of personal branding, and how women are shaping the future of aviation by advocating for essential values like work-life balance.

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: SPOTLIGHT: Cyber warfare, autonomy and the future of defence, with Palo Alto Networks’ Tom Scully and MAJGEN (Ret’d) John Davis
Episode 10: CONTESTED GROUND: Fortune favours the bold – building a national security strategy for the 21st century, with Marc Ablong
Episode 9: 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 8: PODCAST: AUKUS expansion, artillery manufacturing and Australia’s regional defence role
Episode 7: SPOTLIGHT: Building mass, capability and trust with autonomous and uncrewed systems, with Michael Mitchell, Elysium EPL director
Episode 6: PODCAST: Defence policy, domestic manufacturing and military culture, with Senator Malcolm Roberts
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: LAND 156, counter-drone warfare and electronic warfare capability, with Department 13’s Ben Westgarth
Episode 4: PODCAST: Australia’s first 3D printed autonomous USV, with Josh Wigley and Harry Hubbert
Episode 3: PODCAST: Australia’s shipbuilding future, landing craft pipeline and autonomous vessels, with Austal CEO Paddy Gregg
Episode 2: CONTESTED GROUND: Assessing the fallout and implications of the latest Trump–Xi meeting for Iran, Taiwan and Australia