In line with our commitment to upholding a high standard of corporate social responsibility, WA DEFENCE REVIEW welcomes our honorary affiliates as Advocates. As distinguished senior professionals working in concert with WA DEFENCE REVIEW, our advocates serve as focal points for discourse and facilitation with STEM, veterans’ welfare and Indigenous engagement. Their advocacy ensures WA DEFENCE REVIEW is connected to these key sectors and communities supporting positive outcomes.
Advocate – Defence & Industry Engagement
Advocate – STEM
Advocate – Indigenous Defence Engagement
Advocate – International Trade & Investment
Advocate – Veterans’ Engagement
Advocate – WA DEFENCE REVIEW Veterans’ Network
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Jay Sri Kantha
Advocate – Defence & Industry Engagement
Jay emigrated from Sri Lanka to Australia with his family in 1983 escaping the civil war.
He joined the Royal Australian Navy and enjoyed a long and fruitful career spanning 20 years, which included several deployments to the Middle East Area of Operations.
Recognised for his commitment to excellence, Jay has been commended or awarded in every posting during his full-time service, which includes but is not limited to the following accolades: ADF Outstanding Academic Achievement, Commanding Officer Commendation and RAN Centenary Year – Top 100 Navy Achievers.
Jay completed his full-time service as an Electronics Technician, but he remains an active reservist at Defence Force Recruiting where he continues his passion to support the ADF.
Since leaving full-time service, Jay has completed his engineering degree and has remained a defence contractor working on the Anzac, Adelaide, Arafura and Supply-classes of vessels.
He is currently the H&B Defence Principal Manufacturing Engineer, providing Australian suppliers the opportunity to contribute to the AUKUS supply chains.
Cherish McNamara
Advocate – STEM
Cherish McNamara was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Wright State University and on the day she graduated with a Bachelor in Business Management in 1997, was commissioned into the US Air Force as an officer.
Once on active duty, Cherish attended Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (JSUPT) at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, earning her wings in 1999.
Her first assignment – an aeromedical mission flying C-9 Nightingale aircraft out of Yokota Air Base, Japan – took Cherish all over the Pacific region. Here, she attended the USAF Flight Safety School, subsequently taking on the role of squadron and wing safety officer.
Cherish was next stationed at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, where she flew the C-130E Hercules aircraft. She was upgraded to Instructor Pilot and was deployed multiple times to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. She amassed over 500 combat hours in the C-130 on these operations.
Cherish’s final assignment, before being honourably discharged at the rank of Major in 2007, was as the Exchange Officer to the UK. In this role she flew C-130Ks from RAF Lyneham.
After moving to Australia with her husband, Cherish worked in the training design/development industry for Jacobs Australia, CAE, IDAT (International Defence and Aerospace Training) and South Metropolitan TAFE, and began lecturing units in pilot studies and aviation management.
A technology enthusiast, Cherish was employed as a RPAS (drone) trainer and assessor for Australian Training Management in 2018. She developed their CASA approved Remote Pilot Licence course and was the Chief Instructor and Chief Remote Pilot.
Currently, Cherish is working as the Training and Development Manager for Western Power where she oversees the Power Training Services Centre – an enterprise RTO.
Cherish is an Independent Consultant for Rodan + Fields, a leading Skincare brand in North America, and was an integral part of its 2018 Australian launch. Her outstanding community work saw her chosen to represent Rodan + Fields in its work with The Smith Family, during their Sydney ChangeMaker Trip. Following this, Cherish became a Smith Family mentor to an tertiary aviation student. Other volunteer work includes being in the command ranks of the only Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Australia.
With a wealth of experience and a natural penchant for engaging with an audience, Cherish is often invited to speak publicly, including at STEM events in primary schools. Indeed, Cherish has been nominated for an award by Women in Technology WA (WiTWA) for her work in the STEM area.
Cherish believes that aviation is infused with STEM and is passionate about getting young girls interested in a career in aviation, especially as a pilot.
LCDR Samuel Sheppard
Advocate – Indigenous Defence Engagement
Originating from Far North Queensland, LCDR Sam Sheppard joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1999, where he completed training as a Communications and Information Systems sailor at Defence Force School of Signals at HMAS Cerberus.
Throughout his career he has been involved in an array of navy and ADF deployments in both sea and shore postings. Highlights have included three operational deployments to the Middle East in HMAS Anzac, providing support as the Communications Supervisor at Australian Clearance Diving Team Four and as a Communications Manager in HMAS Sirius participating in numerous International exercises and engagement visits.
A proud Traditional Custodian from the Muluridji, Djabugay, Koko Mini and Yirrganydji peoples of Far North Queensland, he has been actively involved in a number of navy and ADF Indigenous activities. He is a founding member of the Navy Indigenous Performance Group- Bungaree representing navy at major events such as the International Fleet Review 2013; Indian Ocean Naval Symposium 2014 and RIMPAC 2017. LCDR Sheppard was also the Inaugural Captain of the ADF Indigenous AFL team-Guyala and continues to support navy’s contribution to Indigenous service football.
As Navy Indigenous Advisor, LCDR Sheppard is responsible for providing cultural advice to Navy’s Senior Leadership Team; providing advice on the implementation of the Defence Reconciliation Action Plan; co-design, promote and implement opportunities to enhance cultural awareness strategies across the ADF.
His position is also affiliated with the Indigenous Cultural Advisory Group (ICAG), which provides cultural advice to Defence Senior Leaders and also chairs the Navy Diversity Reference Group – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Dr Gabriela Depisch-Holicky
Advocate – International Trade & Investment
Dr Gabriela Depisch-Holicky is an international trade, investment and corporate finance connecting businesses and investors across Europe and Australia. Born in Prague and raised in Austria, she studied at Vienna University of Economics and HEC Paris Grande École; Gabriela holds a doctorate in economics.
Starting her career at The Boston Consulting Group, she joined global crystal group Swarovski as Head of Strategy reporting to the CEO, and later led international business development from London.
Today, as Partner at Point Ann Advisory, she advises companies and investors on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, market entry, and growth opportunities between Europe and Australia, with particular expertise in the DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) region, and Central Europe.
A true cosmopolitan, Gabriela speaks five languages fluently and champions international trade and global collaboration. She brings a unique European and Australian perspective to strengthening Western Australia’s economic links, attracting investment and expanding international opportunities for local businesses as well as bringing in new businesses.
Tony Wills
Advocate – Veterans’ Engagement
Tony has the distinction of completing a 20 year-long military career in the Australian Army, which included 12 years with the Special Air Service Regiment that emphasised operational service with the Counter Terrorist Squadron and active service overseas with United Nations Advance Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC) and United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC).
In his post-military career, Tony operated a successful mortgage broking and financial advisory business as the Managing Director of five franchises, which at its peak was valued at $400 million. Currently, Tony is on the boards of Korab Resources and Polymetaluca, both of which are ASX-listed resources companies.
Since retiring from military service, Tony has remained active in promoting the interests of veterans which has led to his longstanding involvement on the committee of the SAS Resources Fund, support to the SAS Historical Foundation and, since 2017, his appointment as the Chairperson of the Veterans Transition Centre Jarrahdale.
Erol Williams OAM
Advocate – WA DEFENCE REVIEW Veterans’ Network
Erol Williams OAM is a proud Torres Strait Islander man, descended from the peoples of Ugar-Umle (Stephen Island). The Co-Founder and Director of Zagul Biri, an Indigenous-led organisation, Erol is committed to strengthening relationships between industry, government and First Nations communities through cultural guidance, engagement and strategic collaboration, according to Zaqul Biri’s vision: “Strategic guidance, grounded in lived experience”.
Born in Darwin and raised in North Queensland, he is a devoted husband and father of four. After completing his chef apprenticeship at 18, Erol joined the Royal Australian Navy at 21 to support his growing family, and later qualified as a submariner. With over 19 years of service in the Australian Defence Force, Erol has developed extensive experience in leadership, logistics, training and Indigenous engagement.
Erol served as the Regional Indigenous Development Coordinator (RIDC) at HMAS Stirling – a pivotal role in advancing First Nations engagement within Defence. His work supported cultural understanding, strengthened relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and forged stronger cross-cultural teams. In recognition of this service, Erol was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Military Division.
Additional study for a Master of Business at UNSW Canberra and a qualification in Indigenous Leadership and the Emerging Indigenous Executive Leaders Program (EIELP) has deepened Erol’s wealth of experience in leadership and cultural engagement, leading to a recent appointment to the Regional Development Australia (RDA) board.
Proudly representing culture and service, Erol has been active in Bungaree, Navy’s Indigenous Dance Troupe; the RAN Rugby League team; and the Navy Values Campaign. And work-life balance is also a key priority: Erol relishes making time for Island dance, rugby league, diving, fishing, and training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with his family – maintaining a strong connection to land, sea and culture.
Guided by integrity and lived experience, Erol is passionate about creating meaningful pathways for First Nations people, with practical, achievable outcomes that strengthen trust, capability and connections between Defence, industry and community.