�����Ʊ

Can you tell us about your career journey since graduating - and what inspired you to take this path?

Since graduating, my career has woven through aviation, flying operations, sustainability, policy and infrastructure - a journey that’s been anything but linear but deeply fulfilling. I started in commercial aviation and airport operations, drawn by the complexity and global nature of the industry. Over time, I became increasingly aware of aviation’s climate impact and the urgent need and thrilling challenge to innovate this industry. That led me to pivot into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and energy infrastructure, where I now work on global market development for clean fuel technologies. What’s inspired me most is the opportunity to work at the intersection of climate action, technology, and systems change - and to ensure Indigenous and regional voices and values are part of that future.

How has your science degree shaped your thinking or opened doors in your career?

My Graduate Diploma in Aviation Flying at �����Ʊ instilled in me the discipline of due diligence before action - a mindset that has shaped my entire career. In aviation, you can’t take off without knowing your route, fuel calculations, contingency plans, and the risks ahead. You’re trained to prepare for the worst while delivering with precision and calm. That foundation taught me the value of preparation, the importance of policy and governance, and the courage to not bow under commercial pressure when safety is at stake. It’s a way of thinking that’s carried through into every role I’ve held - whether navigating climate policy, commercial negotiations, or complex energy transitions. It taught me how to ask better questions, think across systems, and remain grounded in principle, even in high-stakes environments.

Reflecting on your work today, how do you see it making a positive difference?

Today, my work is focused on accelerating the global shift to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) - helping industries and governments design the policies, infrastructure, and partnerships needed to scale clean energy. But beyond emissions reductions, the real impact lies in how we build these systems: inclusively, transparently, and with long-term resilience in mind.

My science training at �����Ʊ taught me to see problems as part of a bigger system - to understand that technical solutions alone aren’t enough. We need governance, community trust, and policy design that works in the real world. I see my role as bridging those elements: translating complex science and engineering into commercial pathways that support not only decarbonization, but also regional development, Indigenous engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

The positive difference, for me, is in helping reshape how we think about climate solutions - not just as technology shifts, but as opportunities to reimagine what a fairer, more sustainable future can look like. That mindset started with science at �����Ʊ and continues to guide me today.

What advice would you give to current science students who are unsure about where their science degree could take them?

Don’t feel boxed in by the title of your degree - science is a foundation, not a finish line. What matters most is how you apply the mindset and skills it gives you: critical thinking, problem-solving, and structured decision-making. Those are valuable in every industry, not just the lab or the cockpit.

If you're unsure about your next step, lean into what excites you and follow your curiosity. My career has moved through aviation, sustainability, policy, and innovation - and every step was connected by a desire to solve meaningful problems. Also, don’t underestimate the power of your lived experience and cultural background. The world needs diverse thinkers and leaders, especially in science and technology.

Have there been any pivotal moments or unexpected turns in your career and how did you navigate them?

I’ve had SO MANY unexpected turns and shifts in my career! If you look at my career history on LinkedIn, you’ll see I haven’t stayed in one place for too long. That was never intentional. Opportunities, people and life circumstances have led to many pivotal moments of change and I have navigated those moments with incredible mentors and support systems.

Two of the most pivotal moments was stepping away from a stable role in Project Engineering to commercial strategy at Western Sydney Airport. Then from Qantas First Nations Engagement to leading New Market Development at LanzaJet, shifting toward climate and sustainability - at a time when sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) wasn’t well understood in Australia. It felt like a leap into the unknown.

I navigated that transition by staying grounded in purpose. I knew I wanted to contribute to climate action in a way that honoured both my technical training and my cultural values. I sought out mentors, invested in learning, and reminded myself that being the “only one in the room” - whether as a woman, an Indigenous person, or someone changing fields - wasn’t a limitation, it was a strength. I’m now in a role I would consider the most suited to me. It took 3 degrees, and 13 years of career experience to get to know myself well enough to find a role that compliments my curiosity, values and passions in the most interesting of ways!