As member of the AEA Advisory Board, Air Vice-Marshal Catherine (Cath) Roberts (retired) AO CSC has dedicated her career to innovation and stretching boundaries. She was Australia’s first Space Commander (2021-2023) and brings over 40 years of experience serving in the Royal Australian Air Force as an Aerospace Engineer.
Some of her favourite moments include overseeing innovation programs such as Jericho Disruptive Innovation and platforms such as the Ghost Bat UAV and F-35A Lightning II.
Cath has been known to go to extraordinary levels to test innovations, including parachuting out of an aircraft at 10,000 feet to test a new satellite communication system. Cath’s experience in defence includes capability analysis, project management, governance, airworthiness and safety, contracting, diplomatic postings and collaborating across defence, government, industry and academia domestically and internationally. Cath has a passion for diversity in STEM through her work with Women in Aviation/Aerospace Australia, Women in Aviation International and has mentored in both the Future Through Collaboration (defence and industry) and Superstars of STEM programs.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Management and Defence Studies from University of Canberra and a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from RMIT. She is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors, member of Defence SA Advisory Board and was a member of the Australian Space Agency Advisory Board from 2019–2023. In recognition of her achievements, Cath was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for her contribution to Aviation Safety in 2004 and appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2022 for her service as Head Aerospace Systems Division and Head of Air Force Capability.