Defence Leaders Breakfast

About this event

Defence Leaders Breakfast

Come and join the Defence Teaming Centre for our annual Defence Leaders Breakfast on Tuesday, 20 May 2025.

This year, the theme will be around US and Australian maritime and tech opportunities, 100 days post the Trump administration and the opportunities for Australian defence industry.

2025 has certainly been a year of tectonic shifts in global policy across a number of domains. The Trump administration is re-writing the rules based order while South Australia has an advanced program and focus regarding the Optimal Pathway. Join our panel of experts as we explore the opportunities available to member companies in the US through SENEDIA and UTIC, both of which are partners to DTC in the US. Hear insights from a former US Defense adviser on AUKUS, and gain an understanding of how the Trump administration presents both opportunities and challenges ahead.

If doing business with the US or in the US presents opportunities to your business, this is a must-attend event!

Meet our keynote Speakers:

Molly Donohue Magee, CEO - SENEDIA and UTIC
Molly Donohue Magee is the Chief Executive Officer of the Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC), a nonprofit research organization focused on providing resources to accelerate the transition of undersea technology to market. UTIC was awarded an Other Transaction Agreement from the Department of Navy for Undersea and Maritime Innovative Technology in June 2018. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of SENEDIA, the alliance for Defense Tech, Talent, and Innovation. SENEDIA is a catalyst for thought leadership and enables the development of critical defense technologies while facilitating economic and workforce development opportunities. She created SENEDIA's nationally recognized annual event, Defense Innovation Days. Molly is the former Chief Financial Officer for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, RI, a billion-dollar Department of Navy research and development activity.

Abraham Denmark, Partner, The Asia Group
Mr. Abraham M. Denmark is a Partner at The Asia Group (TAG), where he co-leads the Defense & National Security Practice and supports multiple country teams across TAG. With over 20 years of experience inside and outside of government, Mr. Denmark is a leading specialist in the security and geopolitical dynamics of the Indo-Pacific and on U.S. strategy and policy toward the region. Mr. Denmark most recently served as Senior Advisor to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III (2022-2024). In this role, Mr. Denmark led and coordinated the Department of Defense’s efforts to develop and implement the historic AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom. Mr. Denmark was a key architect of the Optimal Pathway for Australia to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines while setting the highest standards for nuclear nonproliferation. A Colorado native, Mr. Denmark received an M.A. from the University of Denver Korbel School for International Studies, and a B.A. with Honors from the University of Northern Colorado.

Professor Rodrigo Praino, Director of the Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies, Flinders University
Dr Rodrigo Praino is Professor of Politics and Public Policy and Director of the Jeff Bleich Centre, a research centre focused on democracy, defence, and the impact of technology in our society. He is an expert in American politics and has published extensively on the US Congress, the American Presidency, and political behaviour in the United States. He also leads Defence-funded projects on space power and counter-space technology. Before joining Flinders he has taught American politics in several US universities, where he spent half a decade as a Fulbright scholar. He leads a number of US-centred initiatives at Flinders, including the Fulbright Don DeBats Distinguished Chair in Politics and Public Policy, which brings to Adelaide a prominent American scholar every year, and the Washington Internship Program, which sends Flinders students to work at the US Congress in Washington D C.

James Palmer, Co-founder and CEO, Silentium Defence
In 2016, alongside co-founder Simon Palumbo, James established Silentium Defence as a vehicle to commercialise their passive radar research and today, Silentium’s customers include the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force, international space companies and a growing list of local and global corporate customers seeking new ways to protect people, places, and assets in our increasingly congested and contested environment. In May 2024, Silentium expanded its presence to the US, establishing Silentium Defense Corporation and posting co—founder Simon Palumbo to Virginia as Executive Vice President. The move followed Silentium’s first US contract announced in October 2023 and is a direct response to increased demand for its MAVERICK passive radar systems across the defense, commercial and government markets.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday 20 May 2025
Time: 8.00am - 10.00am
Venue: InterContinental Adelaide - North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000

Ticket sales close 13 May, unless sold our prior.