Kate was appointed Head of Defence and Industry Policy at the Australian Industry Group in August 2017. The Australian Industry Group Defence Council is the principal voice for Australian defence industry.

Kate joined the Department of Defence in 1997 as a graduate in contracting.

Kate has extensive experience with Defence capability development having worked as Director, Chief of Staff, and Assistant Secretary within Capability Development Group, Capability Investment and Resource Division. This experience has equipped Kate with the knowledge and skills to manage the development of major capital equipment acquisition submissions for the Government.

In June 2010 Kate commenced her first SES role as the Assistant Secretary Investment Analysis. As the Assistant Secretary Investment Analysis, Kate was responsible for overseeing and directing the activities of the Investment Analysis staff in the contestability function and preparation of Ministerial and Cabinet submissions for the acquisition of new major capital equipment.

In April 2014 Kate was appointed as Assistant Secretary White Paper Enterprise Management to develop industry related Defence policy including Shipbuilding and the Defence Industry Policy Statement.

Having acted in the position of First Assistant Secretary Defence Industry Policy Division from 19 November 2015 Kate was formally appointed to the position on 01 March 2016. Kate was responsible for the effective implementation of the Government’s approach to Defence Industry policy.

Kate has a Bachelor of Laws (1st Class Honours) and Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.