IWD2025 / BREAKING GLASS SCREENING - ADL

Join us as we proudly launch Breaking Glass, a powerful short film that celebrates resilience, empowerment, and the collective strength of women. This momentous occasion aligns with the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) theme, showcasing stories that inspire and drive change.

Through this film, we explore the journeys of women who have broken barriers, shattered stereotypes, and paved the way in the aviation industry for a more inclusive future. The launch event will not only highlight these incredible stories but also create a space to celebrate the achievements of women across all walks of life.

The evening, aligning with the United Nation's IWD 2025 official theme, will feature a keynote speaker who will share insights on ‘March Forwrad: Turning promises into progress’, as well as dedicated networking time to connect with like-minded individuals.

EVENT DETAIL

Date: Thursday 6th March 2025
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Palace Nova Eastend Cinema
Address: 3 Cinema Pl, Adelaide SA 5000

EVENT MC

Kristen Raby, General Manager Major Service Provider Governance at Nova Systems ANZ & Chair at Aviation/Aerospace Australia

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Cathy Riach (Diener), Director of Talent Acquisition & Talent Management at QinetiQ Australia & Women in Aviation/Aerospace Australia National Committee Member at Aviation/Aerospace Australia

Limited seats, book your tickets now!

Let’s come together to celebrate, reflect, and inspire through the power of storytelling and community.

MC BIOGRAPHY

Kristen Raby, General Manager Major Service Provider Governance at Nova Systems ANZ & Chair at Aviation/Aerospace Australia

Kristen Raby is the General Manager Major Service Provider Governance, previously working as the Strategic Program Senior Manager - Future Business for Nova Systems ANZ, an Australian-owned Professional Services firm with locations throughout Australia, and offices in New Zealand, Singapore, Norway and the UK. Nova Systems specialises in the provision of engineering and management services to government and industry. Within Australia, Kristen’s team of Operations Managers, HR, and Recruitment leads over 500 consultants, working in highly challenging environments, and spanning the breadth of Defence Elements, Defence Industry, Digital Solutions, Transport, and E&R Domains. 

A Chartered Professional Engineer and Engineering Executive, Kristen has consulted as a Flight Test Engineer on the Australian Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Program and been involved in numerous Aviation and Aerospace Programs. She worked as both the Victorian Operations Manager and the Regional Operations Manager – VIC, SA, WA in Nova, before becoming the General Manager in 2019.

Kristen involved in a number of Industry Associations and Technical Organisations within Australia. She is a Director of Aviation/Aerospace Australia, the NEC, and the Australian Defence Alliance – Victoria, volunteering with the Alliance on the Aerospace, Digital and Land Committees. Before joining Nova, Kristen Raby spent 13 years in the Canadian Air force as an Aerospace Engineering Officer and Flight Test Engineer.

She was selected as the first female in Canada to attend Test Pilot school at EPNER in France, and as a Flight Test Engineer, amassed hours on over 30 different aircraft types and supported flight test programs on the Hornet, Hawk and Harvard aircraft. She was a finalist in the 2017 Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY

Cathy Riach (Diener), Director of Talent Acquisition & Talent Management at QinetiQ Australia & Women in Aviation/Aerospace Australia National Committee Member at Aviation/Aerospace Australia

Cathy Riach joined QinetiQ Australia in June 2022 in the newly created role of Head of Talent Acquisition & Planning.  Following a restructure, Cathy is now the Director for Talent Acquisition & Talent Management for QinetiQ’s Australia Sector, encompassing responsibility for talent acquisition and talent management across QinetiQ’s business in Australia, Germany and QinetiQ’s Target Systems business (Canada and UK).

Prior to joining QinetiQ, Cathy spent 20 years at BAE Systems Australia, starting initially in a business unit based human resources role. Following a secondment to build a shared services talent acquisition model, she assumed responsibility for the leadership of the national talent acquisition function. Her role evolved and changed over time to include responsibility for redeployment, strategic workforce planning, outplacement, employment branding, diversity hiring strategies and talent partnerships.  Cathy’s last role at BAE Systems saw her responsible for operational workforce planning and national resourcing strategies.  In April 2023 Cathy was promoted to Sector Head of Talent Acquisition, assuming additional responsibility for talent acquisition strategy and support for QinetiQ’s operation in Germany and in QinetiQ’s Target Solutions business in Canada and the UK.

Prior to joining BAE Systems, Cathy worked for the Morgan & Banks group. She holds qualifications in human resources, industrial relations and workforce planning.

Cathy is a certified member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and sits on the committees for Women in Aviation & Aerospace and The Future Through Collaboration, a cross industry initiative to advance women in the defence industry.