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12 Aug Advisory Board
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The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme Advisory Board was established in 1987 to provide advice and support to the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme.
Advisory Board members are appointed by the portfolio minister for a term of three years. The Advisory Board, through the Chair, is responsible to the minister in accordance with the terms of reference.
Annual reports of proceedings are available under resources.
- Chairman
Mr Marshall E. Baillieu
Marshall Baillieu is Chief Executive Officer and Head of Rothschild & Co Australia. He has over 24 years investment banking experience and specialises in corporate finance advisory including mergers and acquisitions, strategic advisory and financing solutions, across a range of clients. He previously worked for CRA (now Rio Tinto) as a mechanical engineer. Marshall holds a Masters of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), and attended Harvard Business School. Marshall is also a Non-Executive Director of Mutual Trust Pty Ltd. His interests include wooden boats and he has extensive yacht racing experience.ce.
- EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Ms Jennifer Reilly
Jennifer Reilly was appointed Executive Director in early 2023. Prior to this appointment, Jennifer was the Deputy Executive Director and Marketing Communication Manager for the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme. She has twenty years experience in communication strategy and corporate affairs, including previous roles with the Australian Defence Force Academy, Royal Australian Navy and University of Canberra.
Jennifer holds Bachelors of Communication and Applied Economics, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has sailed STS Young Endeavour both in Australia and in Europe, participating in the Sail Training International Tall Ships Races. Jennifer is currently President of the Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand Management Committee and a Director of the TANZ Foundation.
- Representing Navy
Rear Admiral
Christopher Smith CSM RAN
Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, CSM, RAN assumed the role of Commander Australian Fleet on 16 December 2022. Rear Admiral Smith joined the Royal Australian Naval College in 1989. His seagoing appointments have included HMA Ships Stalwart, Parramatta (III), Brunei, Perth (II), Ipswich, Geraldton, Canberra (II), Anzac and Command of HMA Ships Gladstone, Darwin and Canberra (III).
His shore appointments have included staff officer to the Chief of Defence Force, Deputy Director of Sailors’ Career Management, Director Navy Warfare Professional Requirements, 2015 Force Structure Review team, Commander Surface Force, Director General Littoral and most recently Deputy Chief of Navy. His operational deployments have included Operation HELPEM FREN in 2003, Operation CATALYST as the Australian Liaison Officer to the US Central Command Forward Headquarters in 2008 and the inaugural LHD operational deployment in Canberra (III) providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in support of Operation FIJI ASSIST 2016.
Rear Admiral Smith completed the Australian Command and Staff Course in 2004 and the US Naval War College in 2013. He holds a Masters of Management in Defence Studies, a Masters in Maritime Studies.
- Representing Defence
Ms Michele Miller AM
Michele Miller was appointed head of the Defence Security and Vetting Service and the Defence Chief Security Officer in 2021, following a distinguished three-decade long career in the Australian Defence Force. Michele saw operational service in the Middle East and in the Asia-Pacific, and had the privilege of commanding two Royal Australian Navy ships. Her senior executive roles included Director General of Navy People Branch and Chief of Staff in the Australian Defence Force Headquarters.
Michele holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is an inaugural member of the Board of Directors of the Australian veteran support charity ‘Soldier On’.
- Board Member
Mr Angus Hutchinson
Angus Hutchinson is CEO of Thomas Global Systems. Angus joined Thomas Global in 2011 as Vice President, Commercial, focusing on the group’s commercial aerospace and business development activities. Previously, he worked as a Vice President in the Investment Banking Division of Rothschild Group in Sydney and Washington, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and project finance transactions in the natural resources sector.
Angus holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney. He is a member of the Australian Industry Group’s NSW Advisory Council and is a national director of the Australian Industry and Defence Network.
- Board Member
Ms Caitlin Stephenson
Caitlin is an Engineering Project Manager at Anduril Industries, and previously worked as a Senior Project Manager at Boeing Defence Australia. A former member of the Young Endeavour youth crew, she provides a first-hand insight into the youth development program. Caitlin also joined Young Endeavour for the 2015 World Voyage through a Boeing Defence Australia Young Leaders Scholarship, sailing to Gallipoli to take part in the centennial commemoration services on ANZAC day 2015.
Caitlin holds a Masters Degree in Aviation Management from Griffith University and a Bachelor of Engineering, Aerospace Avionics degree with First Class Honours from Queensland University of Technology. She is also an advisor for
- Board Member
Mr Steven Power
Steven Power is a Partner at law firm Clayton Utz. He specialises in the acquisition and sustainment of Defence materiel, advising Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group. Steve holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University.
He is a former member of the Young Endeavour youth crew and alumni of the Young Endeavour Program. He also joined Australian ship Sir Thomas Sopwith during the world voyage commemorating the 500th Anniversary of Columbus’ Voyage of Discovery to the New World.
- Board Member
Ms Josie Ashton
Josie Ashton is Head of Investor Relations at ASX Limited. Josie specialises in stakeholder engagement and has held investor relations and corporate communication roles across a number of industries including financial services, infrastructure and manufacturing.
Josie has been involved in fundraising and community engagement activities with The Australian Ballet, the Centennial Parklands Foundation and the Sydney Renewable Power Company, where she was a member of the volunteer Board of Directors. Josie has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance from Macquarie University.
- Board Member
Mr Stuart Bryson
Stuart practises as a commercial lawyer in Canberra. He is a member of a Law Council of Australia Advisory Committee and Chair of the ACT New Lawyers Committee. A graduate of the Australian National University, Stuart has volunteered with local and national not-for-profit organisations, particularly those focusing on youth development and leadership.
Stuart joined the Young Endeavour crew during the 2015 World Voyage, participating in the Tall Ship Races on the North Sea. In 2018, Stuart joined Young Endeavour during the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. He regularly represents the Scheme at schools, universities, and public events.
- Youth Representative
Ms Sophia Mellink
Sophia represents the Young Endeavour alumni and provides a current perspective on the program to the Advisory Board. Sophia joined her first voyage in Young Endeavour in 2022, sailing across Bass Strait from Hobart to Geelong. In 2023, Sophia joined the crew of Young Endeavour during the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. She regularly represents the Scheme at schools, universities, and public events.
- Executive Director
MS JENNIFER Reilly
- Representing Navy
Rear Admiral
Christopher Smith, CSM, RAN
- Representing Defence
Ms Michele Miller AM
Jennifer Reilly was appointed Executive Director in early 2023. Prior to this appointment, Jennifer was the Deputy Executive Director and Marketing Communication Manager for the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme. She has twenty years experience in communication strategy and corporate affairs, including previous roles with the Australian Defence Force Academy, Royal Australian Navy and University of Canberra. Jennifer holds Bachelors of Communication and Applied Economics, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has sailed STS Young Endeavour in Australia and in Europe – participating in the Sail Training International Tall Ships Races, and is currently President of the Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand Management Committee and a Director of the TANZ Foundation.
Michele Miller was appointed head of the Defence Security and Vetting Service and the Defence Chief Security Officer in 2021, following a distinguished three-decade long career in the Australian Defence Force. Michele saw operational service in the Middle East and in the Asia-Pacific, and had the privilege of commanding two Royal Australian Navy ships. Her senior executive roles included Director General of Navy People Branch and Chief of Staff in the Australian Defence Force Headquarters. Michele holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is an inaugural member of the Board of Directors of the Australian veteran support charity ‘Soldier On’.
- Board Member
Mr Angus Hutchinson
- Board Member
Ms Caitlin Stephenson
- Board Member
Mr Steven Power
Angus Hutchinson is CEO of Thomas Global Systems. Angus joined Thomas Global in 2011 as Vice President, Commercial, focusing on the group’s commercial aerospace and business development activities. Previously, he worked as a Vice President in the Investment Banking Division of Rothschild Group in Sydney and Washington, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and project finance transactions in the natural resources sector. Angus holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney. He is a member of the Australian Industry Group’s NSW Advisory Council and is a national director of the Australian Industry and Defence Network.
Caitlin is an Engineering Project Manager at Anduril Industries, and previously worked as a Senior Project Manager at Boeing Defence Australia. A former member of the Young Endeavour youth crew, she provides a first-hand insight into the youth development program. Caitlin also joined Young Endeavour for the 2015 World Voyage through a Boeing Defence Australia Young Leaders Scholarship, sailing to Gallipoli to take part in the centennial commemoration services on ANZAC day 2015. Caitlin holds a Masters Degree in Aviation Management from Griffith University and a Bachelor of Engineering, Aerospace Avionics degree with First Class Honours from Queensland University of Technology. She is also an advisor for
Steven Power is a Partner at law firm Clayton Utz. He specialises in the acquisition and sustainment of Defence materiel, advising Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group. Steve holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University. He is a former member of the Young Endeavour youth crew and alumni of the Young Endeavour Program. He also joined Australian ship Sir Thomas Sopwith during the world voyage commemorating the 500th Anniversary of Columbus’ Voyage of Discovery to the New World.
- Board Member
Ms Josie Ashton
- BOARD MEMBER
Mr Stuart Bryson
- Youth Representative
MS Sophia Mellink
Josie Ashton is Head of Investor Relations at ASX Limited. Josie specialises in stakeholder engagement and has held investor relations and corporate communication roles across a number of industries including financial services, infrastructure and manufacturing. Josie has been involved in fundraising and community engagement activities with The Australian Ballet, the Centennial Parklands Foundation and the Sydney Renewable Power Company, where she was a member of the volunteer Board of Directors. Josie has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance from Macquarie University.
Stuart practises as a commercial lawyer in Canberra. He is a member of a Law Council of Australia Advisory Committee and Chair of the ACT New Lawyers Committee. A graduate of the Australian National University, Stuart has volunteered with local and national not-for-profit organisations, particularly those focusing on youth development and leadership. Stuart joined the Young Endeavour crew during the 2015 World Voyage, participating in the Tall Ship Races on the North Sea. In 2018, Stuart joined Young Endeavour during the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. He regularly represents the Scheme at schools, universities, and public events.
Sophia represents the Young Endeavour alumni and provides a current perspective on the program to the Advisory Board. Sophia joined her first voyage in Young Endeavour in 2022, sailing across Bass Strait from Hobart to Geelong. In 2023, Sophia joined the crew of Young Endeavour during the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. She regularly represents the Scheme at schools, universities, and public events.
Stephen Moss was appointed Executive Director of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme in 2004. Previously he enjoyed a distinguished Royal Australian Navy Career, and in 2002 was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for his contribution to the Australian Defence Force’s amphibious and afloat support capabilities. Stephen is actively involved with sail training and is President and International Representative for Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand and a member of the Sail Training International Tall Ships Forum Executive Council. He is a graduate of the Royal Australian Navy Staff College, and holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Graduate Diploma of Environmental Law.
