ASPI’s Women in Defence and Security Network (WDSN) is delighted to invite you to attend our next speed mentoring event. 

At this event, participants will have the opportunity to speak with a number of senior women working in foreign affairs, defence, national security and the intelligence community. These women, who have kindly agreed to give career and personal advice and talk about their own experiences, work across a broad range of topics in Parliament, the public service, industry and civil society. 

The event includes a structured mentoring session, where participants rotate in small groups speaking with a range of mentors. We provide guidelines to participants prior to the event on mentors and timings. 

Following the structured mentoring session, participants are invited to network during the event reception, where light refreshments will be provided.

Mentors include: 

• Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary, Southeast Asia and Global Partners Group, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Celia Perkins, Deputy Secretary, Security and Estate, Department of Defence 
• Sarah Chidgey, Deputy Secretary for the National Security and Criminal Justice Group, Attorney-General’s Department 
• Jo Tarnawsky, Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence 
• Rachael Falk, Chief Executive Officer, Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre
• Commodore Letitia ('Tish') van Stralen, AM, CSC, RAN, Chief of Staff, Navy Headquarters
• Air Commodore Ruth Elsley, CSC, Acting Commander of the Australian Defence College.
• Teresa Blair, First Assistant Secretary Contestability, Department of Defence
• Kendra Morony, First Assistant Secretary National Resilience Taskforce, Department of Home Affairs 
• Dr Anna Oldmeadow, Deputy Chief of Staff (Policy), Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Penny Spies, Commander, Special Investigations, Australian Border Force
• Her Excellency Ms Pernille Dahler Kardel, Ambassador of Denmark
• Her Excellency Ms Kersti Eesmaa, Ambassador of Estonia
• Her Excellency Ms Betty B. Pavelich, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Republic of Croatia to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji
• Her Excellency Ms Vicki Treadell CMG, MVO, British High Commissioner to Australia
• Lieutenant Colonel Kristal Wright, Director Land Engagement and Communication, Defence  
• Krissy Barrett, APM, Assistant Commissioner, Counter Terrorism & Special Investigations, AFP
• Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper, Associate Professor,  ANU National Security College
• Sara Goldsworthy, Head of National Security and Defence Public Policy, Australia & New Zealand, AWS
• Penny Spies, Commander, Special Investigations Branch, Australian Border Force
• Commander Katey D'Costa, Deputy Director, Information Warfare Workforce Development, Future Navy Workforce, Defence
• Shelby Higgs, Key Account Manager to Home Affairs & Intelligence, Thales
• Dr Alex Caples, Director, Cyber, Technology Security, ASPI 
• Raelene Lockhorst, Deputy Director - Professional Development Centre, ASPI 
• Jennifer Parker, Deputy Director Defence, ASPI

Background:

ASPI proudly supports and promotes the professional growth and advancement of women's careers and the WDSN seeks to build and enhance professional networks, and provide mentor opportunities and platforms to share lessons learned.

Our goal is to help create and maintain a pipeline of diverse talent of people who work in, or have an interest in, sectors that are vital to Australia's national interests.

At ASPI, we believe that the national security and foreign affairs policy community will be stronger if it is more diverse, and that the presence and seniority of women can be supported by dialogue and the sharing of experience through events such as this.

Please note: While the WDSN is focused on supporting and promoting women in the defence, foreign policy and security communities, we welcome any individuals interested in participating in this event.

If you have any enquiries, please contact  [email protected]

This event is now sold out.