WIDA 2023 – Technical Trade finalists – Australian Defence Magazine

by | Oct 19, 2023 | Engineer

In this category, the judges were looking for entries that exhibited outstanding proficiency in a technical trade or field in 2022. The finalists in this category have all led by example, pioneering new paths for other women to follow. Many are the first women in Australia to achieve a rating, qualification, or proficiency, while also overcoming personal and work-related challenges. They also demonstrated the willingness to volunteer both within Defence and Defence industry and in the wider community.
Clare ‘Odie’ O’Driscoll
Maintenance Operations Manager
Northrop Grumman Australia
In 2022 Odie experienced major personal and professional growth, being promoted to Maintenance Support Manager early in 2022 then into the Maintenance Operations Manager position at the end of the year. She successfully implemented organisational changes and facilitated smooth transitions within restructures; led the team in-person to successfully execute a number of repaint activities in Louisiana, USA, and Chateauroux, France; stood up the Cabin Field Service Representative position which improved communication; enhanced customer satisfaction for the KC30 Program; and established a Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) capability for the KC30 Program.
Jacqueline Hempfing
Security Engineer
Leidos Australia
Jacqueline transitioned into a pivotal role within the team as a Cyber Threat Hunter in mid 2022. Jacqueline was pivotal in reviewing Standard Operation Procedures, and creating playbooks, network documentation and tool coverage maps. Jacqueline commenced threat hunting, whilst still providing engineering expertise to her previous engineering team. She did this in order to ensure continued service delivery and support to the war-fighter; again demonstrating her commitment and passion for Deployed ICT.
Tanya Alempijevic
Lead Technical Planner
Serco Australia
Tanya is a veteran and a highly experienced Weapons Technician, with her wealth of knowledge in the maintenance of weapons systems enabling her to transition into the role of Lead Technical Planner in Serco’s Typhoon, Mini Typhoon and Toplite Contact Team. Tanya has consistently demonstrated a high level of commitment, dedication, and professionalism in her role, going above and beyond what is expected to ensure the success of team and mission. A notable example of this was her support to ensure the Typhoon weapon system capability was maintained, meeting urgent operational requirements. She coordinated a short notice weapon change, collaborating with multiple stakeholders across different departments and ensuring all resources were available.
The winners and Hall of Fame inductee will be announced at a gala dinner at The National Arboretum Canberra on 25 October 2023. Book your tickets here – we hope to see you there!
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