Judges

Danielle Austin

International Association of Healthcare Security and Safety ANZ Chapter (IAHSS)

As the Behavioural Support Manager at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, Danielle oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of policies and procedures for the prevention and management of workplace violence (WPV), providing clinical guidance on the management of behaviours of concern, and facilitating the Workplace Violence Prevention and Management Training Program and Nurse Clinical Leads Program for the Management of Escalating Behaviours.

As part of this role, she leads the Code Black Team with her Security Team and works in close collaboration with the Security Manager and Security Officers. She provides clinical education to the Security Officers and is a fierce advocate for the recognition and professionalisation of healthcare security practitioners.

She is the International Association of Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) ANZ Chapter Chair and a foundational member in the establishment of this chapter. As a Registered Nurse for more than 20 years Danielle has extensive clinical and management experience in the health care industry across emergency, disaster, immigration detention, tertiary/acute care, and forensic settings, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual arts.

Rachell DeLuca

RMIA

Rachell DeLuca is an Australian security and risk consultant with more than 25 years’ experience and is the director and founder of Protective Security Advisory. 

She was awarded the 2017 Outstanding Security Consultant Australian OSPA and has been a member of the Australian judging panel since 2018, enjoying greatly the privilege of reviewing the high standard of nominations each year. 

Rachell is certified by the Risk Management Institute of Australasia (RMIA), as a Certified Practicing Risk Manager (CPRM), and is currently pursuing a PhD in Security Science.

Veronica Denner

Profit Protection Future Forum (PPFF)

With over 20 years of experience in the retail industry, Veronica specialises in loss prevention, investigations, and risk management across multi-brand apparel environments.

Veronica recently expanded her role to include Logistics enabling her to gain a truly end-to-end understanding of retail operations. Veronica’s work is closely aligned with the security industry bridging the gap between operations and security by embedding preventative measures throughout retail stores and the supply chain. 

George Dionisopoulos

ASIS New South Wales Chapter

A dedicated Senior Security Consultant with over 20 years of specialising in Security, Compliance & Risk Management and Government Relations. George has  a proven track record in developing and implementing robust security solutions.

Specializing in risk assessment, compliance management, and incident response, as well as extensive expertise in creating and maintaining secure environments for diverse clients. He is adept at collaborating with stakeholders to tailor security measures to specific organizational needs and has a comprehensive knowledge of industry standards. This coupled with strong leadership and communication skills, ensures effective security strategies that align with regulatory requirements.

He is passionate about staying abreast of emerging threats and technologies to provide cutting-edge security consultancy.

George prides himself on delivering security excellence and helping build the portfolio for the next generation of young security professionals by participating as an active member in ASIS International, The Security Institute and various other security forums.

Brett Dobbie

Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM)

A recognised leader in security, resilience and strategic risk with over two decades of experience across law enforcement, emergency management, counter terrorism and critical infrastructure protection. From the frontlines to the executive boardrooms of public agencies, Brett has built a career out of solving complex problems, leading during crises, and designing systems that protect people, services, and infrastructure. His work integrates behavioural insight, operational realism, and ethical governance.

He holds several degrees including Masters in Counter Terrorism, Executive MBA, Psychology of Risk, and many industry security qualifications. He is also the NSW Deputy Chair, Institute of Strategic Risk Management, an active contributor to national standards, policy development, and the ISRM Global Journal.

John Fleming

Australian Security Industry Association Ltd (AISAL)

John has over thirty-five years’ organisational and operational experience in the security industry in Australia and Internationally.

John is currently the General Manager at ASIAL and has held a number of General Manager positions throughout his career in the security industry. John holds Management and Risk qualifications from MGSM and the ACU. He also serves as a committee member for ACMA, Artibus, Standards Australia and the IEC.

Kevin Foster

Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM)

Dr Kevin Foster FIEAust CPEng APEC Eng is an independent researcher investigating new models and principles for managing community risk and resilience, especially the protection of critical infrastructure.

Kevin is a representative of Engineers Australia on Standards Australia Committee MB-025 – Security and Resilience and was an invited speaker at an APEC Energy Resilience workshop held in San Francisco in November 2023. He is currently a member of the drafting committees for proposed ISO Standards on Energy Resilience and Resilient Infrastructure; and he was the joint drafting leader for Standards Australia HB188 (Building Security).

Kevin is an electronics engineer, risk analyst and physical security specialist with 49 years of experience as a designer, consultant and adviser. He is a former Technical Director of Risk and Security with a major engineering consultancy, a former Adjunct Associate Professor and for the past 11 years has been an independent researcher, adviser and volunteer.

Dr Foster is a Past Regional Vice President of ASIS International’s Region 15B and currently holds an Ambassadorial role within ASIS International promoting discussion about security, risk and resilience standards

Chris Henderson

Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) Australia

Chris spent 25 years in law enforcement before moving into Security within the Education Sector and a decade of leadership at Monash University. He brings extensive expertise in decision-making, security management, and community safety, looking after five campuses in Australia, two in Malaysia, one in Indonesia and other university spaces across the globe.

As a Defence Industry Security Program Security Officer, he has helped enable pivotal research, played a significant role in establishing a framework to identify and counter foreign interference, and led the establishment of an insider threat program.

Chris has also had the privilege of leading Monash University’s Safer Community Unit, an extraordinary team dedicated to empowering and supporting victims of concerning, threatening, and inappropriate behaviour, including sexual harm.

Chris’s roles and career have always had ‘caring for and protecting people’ at their core, reflecting his unwavering commitment to fostering safe, resilient communities and driving meaningful outcomes.

Tony Keane

Australia Security Medals Foundation (ASMF)

As the Head of Integrity and Security at the Australian Football League, Tony has responsibility for the AFL’s Security and Emergency Management operations across the AFL, AFLW, VFL and Coates league competitions incorporating over 900 games, 40+ stadiums and over 100+ corporate events annually.

Tony is also responsible for the overall management of Security Operations at the AFL owned Marvel stadium incorporating events such as AFL, BBL Cricket, Soccer, World Rugby along with year-round concerts and major international sporting events hosted at the stadium.

Within the integrity space Tony oversees the AFL’s Intelligence and Investigations, Wagering, Anti-Doping and Illicit Drug programs, Respectful Behaviours and Safeguarding Children programs.  

Tony represents all Australian Sporting Codes as the delegate for the National Business Advisory Group, a sub-committee of the Australian and New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee.  In addition, Tony is also the deputy chair of the Forum of Australasian Security Executives (FASE) and a member of the Asia Crisis Security Group, Coalition of Major Professional Participation Sports and a board member at the Australian Security Medals Foundation.

Tony has travelled internationally conducting research on counter-terrorism, security and stadium operations in the United States, Switzerland, Poland and the United Kingdom. 

He has completed an Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (investigations) and Diplomas in Public Safety, Security Risk Management along with Certificates in Security Analysis and Sports Integrity. Tony is also an Associate Fellow of the Australian Security Industry Association Limited.

Tony has worked at the AFL for the past 11 years and prior to that spent 14 years as a Detective with Victoria Police working primarily in the Homicide Squad and various criminal investigation units.

Nicole Laughlin

Forum for Australian Security Executive (FASE)

With 26 years’ experience in security, Nicole’s career spans security roles within Australian Government and Private Industry.  Nicole is the current the Head of Security for ANZ Banking Group limited,  with responsibility spanning 31 geographies.   

Advocating for the security industry, Nicole is an active member and holds membership in a number of external fora and committees, including as a current Board Member for the Australian Security Medals Foundation.  

Simon Levy

Risk Management Institute Australasia (RMIA)

Simon Levy is an experienced CEO, influential risk leader, and respected voice in the Australasian risk community. With more than 20 years of experience spanning professional services, health and aged care, retail, manufacturing, and financial services, Simon has built a career at the intersection of strategy, risk, and leadership.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Risk Management Institute of Australasia (RMIA) — the peak body for risk professionals across the region — Simon is leading a bold transformation of the risk profession. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening RMIA’s education programs, advancing certification reform, and building a thriving community of risk professionals who connect, learn, and grow together.

Simon’s professional ethos centres on collaboration, integrity, and action. He is passionate about elevating the role of risk in decision-making and championing the next generation of risk leaders. Known for his ability to cut through complexity, Simon brings strategic clarity and commercial acumen to every role he takes on.

Prior to RMIA, Simon led the national strategic risk practice at Marsh Advisory, working with ASX50 companies and global brands on major risk and resilience projects. His earlier career included leadership roles at Australian Unity, giving him deep, practical experience in enterprise risk management.

A transformational leader who pairs vision with disciplined execution, Simon is an MBA graduate, holds a degree in Applied Science, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Craig Millar

Forum for Australian Security Executive (FASE)

Craig has spent more than 20 years working in senior executive corporate security and risk roles, based in Australia, with local and international responsibilities. Career highlights include senior security management positions with a large global manufacturing organisation, two of the largest global financial institutions and his current role as Executive Manager, Protective Services at Insurance Australia Group (IAG).

Craig joined IAG – Australia and New Zealand’s largest insurance general insurer – in October 2017 to develop and lead the Group Protective Services team as part of the IAGs’ Cyber and Protective Services Fusion Model. In this role he is responsible for protecting IAG’s people, property and assets across the Group to deliver on IAG’s purpose to “make your world a safer place”. He specialises in delivering uplift programs that embed a positive and proactive security culture to maximise the level of security and staff safety.

Neil Redfern

Profit Protection Future Forum (PPFF)

Neil Redfern (Dip Security Risk Mgt & Fraud Risk Mgt) is a Retail Security and Loss Prevention executive, with 29 years of industry experience working for some of Australia’s largest and most iconic retailers.  Driven to protect businesses against financial loss associated with criminality and other forms of risk directly impacting stakeholders, assets and reputation. Neil has comprehensive retail knowledge of Total Loss strategies, Compliance Management frameworks, Risk Management, Crime Prevention and Resolution, Physical Security Systems, Merchandise Protection strategies, as well as the end-to-end management of retail profit risk / security professionals. 

Neil’s vision for Redfern Retail Risk is to become Australia’s leading, trusted and most capable consulting service specialising in developing effective retail risk management solutions for its clients. Neil is a professional, disciplined, and structured subject matter expert that is well networked, self-motivated and who prides himself on supporting and giving back to his industry of specialisation. Examples of this include not for profit activities, such as Chairman of the ANZ Profit Protection Future Forum, acting as an Industry and International Advisory Board Member for Griffith Criminology Institute (GCI), Griffith University Queensland.

Linda Ross

Security Agents Institute of Western Australia (SAIWA)

Linda Ross has had a long career entering struggling businesses, Not for Profits/charities (NFP’s) and start-ups and working with them to turn them around. A former academic, she has both a BA and Post Grad Dip and has worked in most sectors (retail, security, International securities, professional services, B2B, B2C and the not-for-profit) and at all levels, local, national, and international organisations.

She is also a qualified Real Estate Agent and was voted Community Citizen of the Year in the City of Canning 2025, a prestigious acknowledgement of over 20 years of volunteering and supporting the local community.

Linda is currently the chief executive officer at the Australian Post-Tel Institute (APIWA) as organisation that has been around since 1925, and since that time has been dedicated to their members who together use their buying power to negotiate discounts that support the WA community. Linda also operates WA Events & Projects and supports various community groups and donates her time and expertise to assisting those who need a hand up.

Linda has worked in the security industry for over 10 years, and since this time has become a strong advocate for security workers in the industry. She is a board member of The Security Agent Institute of WA (SAIWA) and is a strong advocate of education, training and industry regulation. Linda was one of the first female crowd controllers to work prior to WA license numbers being legislated and not only has a black belt in full contact Karate, but has also trained in firearms, worked as an undercover security guard and over 17 trophies from tournaments nationally.

Megan Spielvogel

Australian Information Security Association (AISA)

Megan has led an impressive career as a not-for-profit association professional and event manager in her 30 years in the sector. Serving as the General Manager at the Australian Information Security Association (AISA), for the last 6 years, Megan plays a major role in advocacy for the cyber security sector and operations of the association. Through her commitment to this role, he/she has helped AISA grow to over 12,500 nationally and the Australian Cyber Conference to grow to the largest cyber conference in the Southern Hemisphere.

Prior to her current role at AISA, Megan worked at RACV, and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, working in their events, communications, and membership teams with advocacy, member services, and marketing.

Cheryl Wharton

Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) Australia

Cheryl Wharton is the Protective Services Senior Manager at the University of Sydney, bringing over 37 years of experience in policing, security operations, and emergency management. Her extensive background in law enforcement has equipped her with a deep understanding of public safety, risk mitigation, and community engagement, which she now applies in the higher education sector.

In her current role, Cheryl leads the Protective Services team in ensuring a safe and supportive campus environment for students, staff, and visitors. She is responsible for the development and implementation of safety strategies, coordination with emergency services, and the continuous improvement of security policies and procedures across the university.

Cheryl holds formal qualifications in security and risk management and has undertaken advanced training in crisis leadership and incident response. She is widely respected for her strategic insight, calm leadership in critical situations, and unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of safety and inclusion.

Prior to her current role at AISA, Megan worked at RACV, and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, working in their events, communications, and membership teams with advocacy, member services, and marketing.