Women in Security
The key to success: Just fall Ever wondered what it would be like to work for a large organisation that is leading the way in aerospace, defence, transport and security? Or what path you should take to get there? With world-class technologies and the combined expertise of 67,000 employees in 56 locally based country operations, it is no doubt that Thales is a key player in assuring the security of citizens, infrastructure and nations. Kema Rajandran talked to four women from Thales Australia to find out more about how they came to work in this incredible empire.
Diane Smith
Jeannette Jackson
H By Kema Rajandran Correspondent
26 | Asia Pacific Security Magazine
Chantelle Miruzzi
aving previously worked for defence engineering companies in numerous roles, many would think that it was natural that Jeanette Jackson followed a path to security, but she says it was completely by chance that she fell into a security role. “In my previous role at Thales as Commercial Manager, I volunteered to take on the duties of Assistant Security Officer [ASO] for my business unit. As the ASO, I was exposed to a side of the business that I had not been involved in before.” As time went on, Jeannette learned more in her role, her interest in security started to build and she began seeking more challenges. As one of the largest defence companies in Australia, Jeannette says the diverse range of projects Thales offers was very appealing to her. “A permanent corporate security role became available and I was lucky enough to get it.” Jeannette wasn’t the only one that fell into security. Marie-Antoinette Houssard, Thales Maritime and Aerospace Security Officer says she too fell into security purely by chance.
Marie-Antoinette Houssard
“I was raised in New Caledonia as the fourth generation of hotel owners, so my training was in hotel and restaurant management,” says Marie-Antoinette. “All changed when I moved to Australia. I owned the Adelaide Wine Cellar in George Street, Sydney, for four years, which I then sold. I worked for American Express for ten years, and when I left did catering from home and temp work for Drake before applying to ADI. “The rest is history!” Chantelle Miruzzi, based at the Department of Defence establishment in New South Wales, liaising between Thales Defence units and base security says her move, like Jeannette’s and Marie-Antoinette’s was purely by chance too. “I have always enjoyed roles that let me interact with people, especially focusing on customer service and problem solving,” says Chantelle. “When I was looking at changing jobs, I wanted something that was in my local area, but also a bit different to my previous roles. “I was looking for a new and challenging role. Thales is a large company, which had room for my growth, development