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Women in the Alliance

A program amplifying diverse voices in the alliance by fostering cross-border, cross-sector dialogue, equipping the next generation of leaders, and showcasing a broad range of experts across Australia and the United States.

Women in the Alliance focuses on work by women, rather than work about women. By investing in and upskilling the next cohort of leaders on alliance issues, the initiative helps ensure that a broader range of perspectives and experiences shape the future of the Australia–US relationship.

Launched in 2023, Women in the Alliance brings together a diverse group of talented professionals working across industries related to the Australia-US relationship. Over their one-year tenure, members receive exclusive opportunities designed to advance and accelerate their careers, amplify their expertise and expand their professional network.

The network meets quarterly for closed-door roundtables with distinguished US and Australian experts, running issues-based workshops and fostering professional development. Discussion themes and industries span the remit of the bilateral relationship including defence cooperation and Indo-Pacific strategy; investment and trade; technology, innovation and intelligence; climate change, the energy transition and our role in our region.

We're looking for members for our next cohort

Find out more and apply

Applications close at 11.59pm on Friday, 22 August 2025.

US and Australian experts hold open-door events related to challenges and opportunities for alliance cooperation, connecting accomplished experts with larger audiences.

The program entails four pillars:

The Women in the Alliance network
A select group of early-career professionals working in industries relevant to the Australia-US alliance meet quarterly for closed-door roundtables with experts, engaging in issues-based workshops and professional development designed to support the next generation.
Visiting experts
American thought leaders are invited to Australia to meet with young professionals, researchers and Australian officials to share their insights on our cooperation and grow their profile.
Public events
US and Australian experts hold open-door events related to challenges and opportunities for alliance cooperation, connecting accomplished experts with larger audiences.
Commissioned research
Paid opportunities are offered to researchers to write and publish policy-oriented publications on pertinent alliance issues through the United States Studies Centre.

Our Fellows

Women in the Alliance Fellows include some of the most respected voices in security, policy, and technology:

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock
Former Representative for Virginia's 10th Congressional district
Emma Connors
Senior Editor at The Australian Financial Review
Michèle Flournoy
Former US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
Victoria Kim
Australia Correspondent at The New York Times
Amelia Lester, Deputy Editor of Foreign Policy
Kelly Magsamen
Former Chief of Staff to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, III
Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy
Former US Representative for Florida's 7th Congressional district
Rachel Noble PSM
Former Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate
Commander (ret.) Jennifer Parker
Adjunct Fellow in Naval Studies at UNSW Canberra
Audrey Schaffer
Former Director for Space Policy, National Security Council
Ambassador Kristin Tilley
Australia's Ambassador for Climate Change
Aude Vignelles
Former Chief Technology Officer of the Australian Space Agency

What people are saying about the initiative

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“It is more important than ever to build connections between women working on the US-Australia alliance. I look forward to seeing the contributions Women in the Alliance network members will make to the alliance in future.”

Michèle Flournoy

Former US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

"The Women in the Alliance initiative is a powerful force for fostering the next generation of female leaders in US-Australia relations. By amplifying emerging voices and creating meaningful professional opportunities, the initiative is strengthening our alliance in a way that is both strategic and forward-looking."

Stephanie Murphy

Former US Congresswoman

“This network will contribute to accelerating progress in essential fields, breaking down barriers, and creating gender equality. We know that results improve in concert with increases of female engagement in key fields driving the alliance, so, thank you for fostering this opportunity for growth.”

Christine Elder

US Consul General, Sydney

Latest activity

Workshops have and continue to feature prominent leaders and experts, including former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy, Senior Editor for The Australian Financial Review Emma Connors, Australia's Ambassador for Climate Change Kristin Tilley, former Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, and Peter Dean, Director of the USSC’s Foreign Policy and Defence Program and lead author of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review.