Kate brings more than 16 years of experience across military service, Defence capability development, and veteran advocacy to her role as Head Advocate at Veteran Life. She served over ten years as a full-time officer in the Australian Army and a further five years in the Army Reserve, concluding her service in March 2025. Her time in Defence provided her with first-hand insight into the realities of military service and the challenges many veterans face during transition and beyond.

Defence career

During her Army career, much of Kate’s work centred on leadership, management, and training. She led teams of more than 120 personnel and often operated in roles above her worn rank while managing complex responsibilities with limited resources. Her roles involved coordinating soldiers, equipment, and logistics to support operational and training outcomes in demanding environments both across Australia and overseas.

Following her transition from full-time service, Kate continued working within Defence capability and national security programs. She has held roles at the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap and has worked across major Defence capability initiatives, including in integrated air and missile defence, the intelligence directorate, and currently in capability development supporting future naval capability programs.

Path into advocacy

Kate became involved in advocacy after experiencing first-hand how complex and stressful the Department of Veterans’ Affairs process can be. While the system is often presented as straightforward, navigating claims, medical evidence, and policy can be challenging for veterans transitioning from service.

Through her own experience, Kate also realised that some of the health issues she was experiencing in her early thirties were not simply “normal” — they were connected to her time in Defence. Motivated to better understand the system and support others facing similar challenges, Kate developed a detailed understanding of DVA policy and claims processes.

Role at Veteran Life

As Head Advocate at Veteran Life, Kate leads advocacy practice with a strong foundation of ethics, professionalism, and integrity, and a clear focus on veteran wellbeing, inclusion, and ensuring that veterans are supported and heard throughout the claims process.

Kate holds formal advocacy qualifications along with a range of postgraduate and professional qualifications in portfolio, project, and program management; systems engineering; logistics and supply chain management; human resources; leadership; and workplace health and safety. She also volunteers with the Returned and Services League (RSL), continuing her commitment to supporting veterans and their families.

Outside work

Kate spends her time attempting to ride motorbikes (with mixed success), collecting rescue dogs (currently four), managing her poultry flock, and walking her alpacas.