Our Alumni Profiles and Stories

I remember six years ago the first time I met a female Senior Engineer (or SENGO) at a Squadron – I was so excited to see that it was something achievable.

In 1982, Emeritus Professor Peter Dennis was tasked with establishing a military history journal – something he had no idea where to even start with. He would not be able to predict how far the War & Society Journal would come; internationally renowned and celebrating its 40^th anniversary since its first publication.

‘Head’ and ‘heart’ attributes are brought to the forefront of modern leadership in a recently published book by UNSW Canberra alumnus, Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM.

UNSW Canberra’s Bettina Stelzer was the first student to graduate with a Master of Workforce Planning at today’s Business, Humanities and Social Sciences Graduation Ceremony. 

Introduced at the start of the year, the School of Business Master of Workforce Planning degree aims to foster global business leaders, cultivating strategic development and capability within workforces.  

As the only master’s level degree in workforce planning in Australia, Bettina took the unique opportunity to specialise her skills and knowledge within this growing field.  

UNSW Canberra graduand Christopher Wise is on the rise after three years of balancing military training, sports, university studies, and socialising.  

Chris will graduate with a Bachelor of Computing and Cyber Security this month and is looking forward to pursuing Honours next year as part of an internship in Japan.  

“My honours project will focus on applying artificial intelligence to quantum computers,” Chris said. 

A desire for a more personal and dedicated learning journey led Lili Beacham to choosing to study at UNSW Canberra.

Lili’s journey into the military wasn’t a traditional one. After gaining a passion for business and management through her real estate career, Lili found herself craving a more personal and dedicated approach to learning and training. She soon joined UNSW Canberra, where her training and studies combined as a trainee officer.

Giulia Brotzu Chessa is proud to look back at the significant milestones she has achieved throughout her journey at UNSW Canberra. 

Completing a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Oceanography and Mathematics, during a pandemic was no easy feat for Giulia. However, she rose to the challenge and adapted to the unpredictable changes and different learning environments throughout her degree.  

When navy veteran and UNSW Canberra alumnus Stuart Alexander and his wife, Adele, floated the idea of buying a small tourism business in far North Queensland, they had no idea the positive impact it would have on the Great Barrier Reef.

Based in Mission Beach in Queensland, Great Barrier Reef Safaris offers marine biologist-led private tours of the Great Barrier Reef. Stuart and Adele, through Great Barrier Reef Safaris, look after and care for 5% of the Reef as well as dedicating 25% of their business to supporting scientific research by some of Australia’s world-class institutions. They are the only operator between Townsville and Cairns certified by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) to conduct reef health surveys.

UNSW Canberra graduate, Gabby Costigan MBE has been named a recipient of a 2022 UNSW Alumni Award.

Gabby received the Professional Achievement Award and is among seven other UNSW alumni recognised for their professional and personal dedication to making a profound impact here and around the globe.

UNSW Canberra alumnus Scott Leggo’s photograph has placed in the top 50 photographs worldwide in the 13^th Epson International Pano Awards.

FLGOFF Verrier completed a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering in 2019 and will graduate this month with a Master of Space Engineering from UNSW Canberra. 

Master of Special Operations and Irregular Warfare graduate Brooke Barling recognises the invaluable connection between her academic study and work.  

Remote learning has not stopped UNSW Canberra mid-year graduate Ruth Harrison from boosting her skills and forming meaningful connections with fellow classmates and colleagues in the space industry.  

Chief of Defence Force Fellow, UNSW Canberra PhD student and alumna Lieutenant Commander Victoria Jnitova has received a Women in Defence Award for Research and Development.

UNSW Canberra alumna Dr Elizabeth Boulton has always enjoyed a challenge and continues to confront the security issues of today.

UNSW Canberra alumnus Squadron Leader Joseph Mack details the exceptional life of Australian Spitfire pilot, Fred Riley, in his recently published book Strong to Serve.

UNSW Canberra graduate Captain Kent O’Sullivan will head to the University of Maryland this year as a Fulbright Scholar.

Artist, UNSW Canberra alumnus and former Australian Army officer Mike Armstrong is leading a project aimed at drawing attention to health challenges faced by veterans.  

When we first met Andrew Gibbs, he was a third-year electrical engineering student who had just founded the UNSW Canberra Rocket Team – they were engineering a rocket that would soar three kilometres into the sky.  

From Australian Army Officer and artist to Automation Business Practice Lead, Scott Stephens explains how his time at UNSW Canberra helped set him up for a post-Defence career. 

UNSW Canberra graduate and Adjunct Associate Lecturer Kristen Alexander has received the Australian War Memorial’s 2021 Bryan Gandevia Prize for Australian military­–medical history. 

“By day I’m a combat engineer officer in Army, and in my spare time I’m a mum of one human and two dogs, the President of Women in Nuclear (WiN) Australia, and a member of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency’s Nuclear Safety Committee.”

UNSW Canberra 2021 first class honours student and engineering graduate Jane Millward has been named a 2022 Fulbright Scholar.

UNSW Canberra and UNSW Canberra alumnus owned business, Fortem Australia, are working together to provide former first responders with new skills and the pathway to a new career.

Just four years into her engineering career, UNSW Canberra graduate and current PhD student Michelle Norton is already making her mark.

In recognition of Mental Health Week, we sat down with a UNSW Canberra graduate who has made outstanding contributions to the mental fitness of members of the Australian Defence Force, veterans and first responders. Co-founder of Soldier On and Fortem, John Bale, describes what inspired him create two charities and how UNSW Canberra helped set him on the path for success.

Ruth Harrison is a UNSW Canberra alumna who is passionate about diversity in STEM fields, particularly engineering.

Jack Plimmer is a UNSW Canberra alumnus and Associate Director at Forge Advisory.

We asked Jack about his time at UNSW Canberra and how it has shaped his career after Defence, including his transition into the workplace.

­­­­­­­­For our latest Alumni Business in Focus story, we talked with UNSW Canberra alumna Alison Gordon about her business ‘Feed For Thought.’ Launched this year, Feed For Thought produces sustainable and ethical dogfood that allows you to nourish your dog and save the planet.

Kate Munari, a UNSW alumna with more than 15 years’ experience in the Royal Australian Navy, is Australia’s only female Navy helicopter pilot to fly in Afghanistan.

Wing Commander Angeline Lewis was the inaugural Minister’s Fellow for Women, Peace and Security at UNSW Canberra at the Australia Defence Force Academy for 2018-19.

Penelope Twemlow, a UNSW alumna with more than 20 years’ experience in the Royal Australian Navy, is the Co-Founder and Chairperson of Women in Power – a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to promote and empower women, which in turn benefits industry.

Tara Elisabeth Jeyasingh is a passionate feminist and one of UNSW Canberra’s most recent alumnae, having graduated from the honours program in human geography at the end of 2020.

Brigadier Ana Duncan, a UNSW Canberra alumna, currently holds the positions of Commandant of the Royal Military College – Australia and Director General Army Leadership.

Technical Director of Project Management, Defence Infrastructure Estate Planning Lead at GHD

Managing Director of BCT Solutions

General Manager for BCT Solutions, independent consultant

Deputy Director of Navy culture, leadership coaching and team culture development, Royal Australian Navy 

Ambassador for Mates4Mates, Invictus Games competitor

Pilot for the Royal Australian Air Force

Barrister at Ninth Floor Selbourne Chambers

Property investment and development

Head Land Capability in the Australian Army 

Head of Maritime Systems, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG)

Company Director, author and creator #celebratingwomen 

Ambassador for Australia Day 2019, Lifeline Canberra and Soldier On Australia