Reflections on the past to secure Australia’s future now

ANU National Security College 15-year anniversary event

ANU National Security College (NSC) 15-year anniversary celebration and alumni event

Monday 8 December | 6–8.00 pm | T2 Lecture Theatre, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU

We are delighted to invite you for a special NSC alumni event celebrating the College’s 15-year anniversary.

The event will feature a panel discussion, ‘Reflections on the past to secure Australia’s future now,’ exploring how Australia’s strategic, policy and leadership landscape has evolved over the past 15 years – and what lessons we can draw to shape the next 15.

The conversation will bring together leading female practitioners across Australia’s national security community, representing past, current and emerging leadership. Through this discussion, we aim to celebrate female leadership in national security while reflecting on resilience, preparedness and the future of Australia’s security framework.

The evening will begin with a welcome and opening remarks by Professor Medcalf, followed by a panel moderated by Ms Sally Bulkeley.

The discussion will conclude with a vote of thanks, before guests are invited to continue conversations over refreshments.

About the speakers

Caroline Millar is the former Australian Ambassador to the European Union, NATO, Belgium and Luxembourg. She previously served as the Deputy Secretary for National Security, in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet covering national security, defence, intelligence and international policy. She is a Distinguished Advisor with NSC.

Rebecca Skinner PSM GAICD is the former CEO of Services Australia. She has a broad background in Defence and national security. She served as the Associate Secretary Defence and as the Deputy Secretary for Strategic Policy and Intelligence. She is a Distinguished Advisor with NSC.

Katherine Mansted is the Executive Director of Cyber Intelligence at CyberCX, Australia and New Zealand’s largest cyber security services company. She is also a Senior Fellow in the Practice of National Security at NSC.

Afeeya Akhand has most recently been a researcher at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute focusing on South Korean foreign policy, Indo-Pacific security and social cohesion. She has also worked in the Department of Defence and a consultancy for government and defence industry clients. She is an Emerging Associate with NSC.

Professor Rory Medcalf AM FAIIA has been Head of NSC since 2015. He has more than 30 years of experience across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, academia and journalism.

Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of College at NSC, on secondment from the Department of Defence. Sally has held various national security roles in Defence, PM&C, and ministerial offices, including as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Hon Richard Marles MP.