Alison Petchell has over 17 years’ experience delivering technology to the Australian Defence Force across all stages of the capability life cycle. As Minister Counsellor Defence Materiel at the Embassy of Australia in Washington DC from 2019 until 2021 and again since April this year, she is the senior Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group representative for Australia’s Department of Defence in North America and Europe. With oversight of all international procurement of Defense Materiel into Australia, she and her team work with local Security Cooperation Agencies to establish business cases, manage delivery risks, facilitate export licenses and ensure timely transport of equipment. She also plays a key role in facilitating Australian Defence Industry participation in international supply chains, working with sourcing officials and international firms to identify supply chain gaps and showcase Australian Industrial capability. Along with her MBA, Alison has Masters Degrees in Project Management and Sustainment. Prior to her appointment to Washington DC, she managed a multi- billion-dollar portfolio of complex Command and Control projects and products through all stages of the capability lifecycle for all four Defence Capability Managers, from government approval to delivery and disposal. Between delivery roles that also included leading reform to generate benchmark availability for the Collins Submarine fleet, she managed the Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry program and facilitated industrial participation for Australia’s Joint Strike Fighter Program Office. Prior to joining the Department of Defence, Alison was a registered health professional who also held leadership roles shaping Australian health policy. Married with four children and four grandchildren, she is a voracious reader, enjoys motorbike riding and loves to travel.
