ABOUT THE EVENT

Join us for a networking breakfast at Thales Melbourne for International Women's Day. Don't just expand your connection, be inspired by a panel of diverse speakers sharing their experience throughout their careers, and insight on empowerment.

This year's IWD theme is Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. While we celebrate women, it is important to ensure women's involvement in various sectors. We invite all genders to join this meaningful event.

FACILITATOR

Sarah McSwiney | Engineering Strategy & Operations Manager at Boeing Defence Australia & Chair at Aviation/Aerospace Australia

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

John Best | Chief Technical Officer at Thales Australia & New Zealand

GUEST SPEAKER

Dr Aneesha Varghese-Cowan |  Director at Global CFO Solutions & Director at Aviation/Aerospace Australia

Filipa Flaherty |  General Manager Finance at Thales Australia & New Zealand

Dim Colebatch | Software Discipline Manager, Airspace Mobility Solutions at Thales Australia & New Zealand

Tegan Gray | Second Officer at Qantas Airways

Aviation/Aerospace Australia are proud to have Thales Australia as the event sponsor this IWD.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPIES

Sarah McSwiney | Engineering Strategy & Operations Manager at Boeing Defence Australia & Chair at Aviation/Aerospace Australia

Sarah McSwiney is the Senior Manager of Strategy and Operations for the Office of the Chief Engineer at Boeing Defence Australia. Prior to this Sarah held various engineering and management roles for the past 16 years at Boeing, most recently as the Composites Technology Manager at Boeing Research and Technology Australia, leading a team in Resin Infusion material and process development and helping guide the Enterprise Resin Infusion Roadmap. Sarah previously led the liaison engineering team across all programs at Boeing Aerostructures Australia, and prior to that she worked as a design engineer and an liaison Engineer both in Melbourne and Seattle. 

A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company directors, Sarah is also the Deputy Chair of Kilvington Grammar and is on the industry advisory boards for Aerospace Engineering at both Monash and RMIT Universities. Sarah holds an Executive MBA from Monash University and a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering (Hons) from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. 

Sarah is passionate about gender equality and encouraging more young women into the fabulous Australian Aviation and Aerospace industry.

John Best | Chief Technical Officer at Thales Australia & New Zealand

John Best joined ADI Limited in 2003. Initially responsible for the operations of Advanced Systems Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary, he led the integration of this business into the wider ADI and its transformation into a centre for research and development. During this period he also directed ADI's bid to supply the Army with tactical unmanned aerial vehicles. 

Following a brief period in the role of chief technologist, John was appointed vice president, Technology, Research and Development upon the formation of Thales Australia. In this role he has overall responsibility for the technical capability of the company, which encompasses technical strategy, research and development, innovation, engineering process, engineering development and technical audits.

John joined ADI following a 15 year career with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, during which he contributed to, and led, programs of work including underwater weapon effect modelling, mine warfare operations research, synthetic environments and naval combat systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours in Physics from the University of Queensland, a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Wollongong and an MBA from the University of Adelaide.

Dim Colebatch | Software Discipline Manager, Airspace Mobility Solutions at Thales Australia & New Zealand

Dim Colebatch is one of Thales’ Software Discipline Managers jointly responsible for Thales Australia’s 135 Software Engineers working in Air Traffic Control. Prior to this Dim worked at Toyota for 19 years both in Australia and North America during which he has been responsible for delivery of technology across digital, dealer, connected vehicles, parts, manufacturing, and corporate functions. A graduate of University of Tasmania in Management, with software and infrastructure skills developed on the job, he has a broad experience and is passionate about helping the people in his care.

Dim grew up in an atypical household in which his mother was the breadwinner and his father made school lunches. Throughout his career spanning multiple industries and countries he has been an advocate for diversity with a passion for gender equity. He is part of the Women in Thales Working Group, and has championed changes to hiring practices, ensuring female engineers have strong mentors and sponsors, and outside his professional life is actively involved in gender equity in community football.

Dr Aneesha Varghese-Cowan |  Director at Global CFO Solutions & Director at Aviation/Aerospace Australia

Aneesha is a technology driven finance executive with over two decades experience in a diverse range of industries including Web 3.0, professional services, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and property.  Aneesha has worked with large blue chip organisations in Operational Finance and Strategy roles in both Australia and New Zealand.

She is also a non-executive director for Family Life, a large for purpose entity that operates in Melbourne. Aneesha holds a FCPA, CA, a Masters in Taxation Studies from the University of Auckland and a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Otago.  Aneesha is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Governance Institute.

Filipa Flaherty |  General Manager Finance at Thales Australia & New Zealand

Beginning her career at Thales Australia and New Zealand (TANZ) in 2009 as a Financial Accountant, Filipa has shown dynamic growth and perseverance. Throughout her tenure, she’s held a number of roles as a Management Accountant, Senior Management Accountant, and Financial Controller. Today, she is the General Manager Finance for Digital Systems. Filipa's role oversees the Secure Communications (SIX) and Avionics (AVS) businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

Filipa began her professional journey by earning her accounting qualification from Chartered Accountants Ireland in 2008. A taste for adventure then led her from her native Ireland to Southeast Asia, and ultimately to Sydney, where she joined Thales. Filipa graduated from National College of Ireland, with a BA in Accounting & HR. Starting her career at Citigroup, she then transitioned into Accountancy and Audit training at a small practice in Dublin.

Outside of her professional career, Filipa cherishes her life as mom to her two sons, Dylan, 8, and Ethan, 5. Her ability to balance a successful career with a family life inspires others in both the workplace and at home.

Tegan Gray | Second Officer at Qantas Airways

Tegan started flying in 2002 and after several years in the General Aviation industry and landed her first airline job flying a Boeing 737 in the Qantas Group’s freight department - Express Freighters Australia. She worked at EFA for 13 years and was involved with many different facets of the company from teaching to audit to test flying, and for almost the last four years she was their Chief Pilot. In 2019 Tegan made the considered decision to move across to Qantas in their long haul department as a Second Officer on the Boeing 787. She is still in this position today while also teaching on the Boeing 787 and helping out in the Technical department. Roles that she finds rewarding, challenging and enjoyable.