The AAGE Committee is made up of a number of experienced employer members who regularly meet to form the 'engine room' of the AAGE. Representing a cross-section of the broader membership, our dedicated committee members volunteer their experience, wisdom and expertise year on year to ensure the growth and success of the AAGE. You can find more information on joining the AAGE Committee below.
Run by employers for employers |
AAGE Committee |
| Claire Battafarano Graduate Program Lead and Learning Ambassador, Boeing Defence Australia Claire Battafarano is the Graduate Program Lead at Boeing Defence Australia. She began her professional career in media planning and communication strategy in New York City, working on campaigns for major brands like The Home Depot, Dannon and Pepsi. Her passion for talent development led her to transition into human resources, starting with an HR Business Partner internship at Boeing in Seattle. This experience paved the way for a full-time role in the HR Career Foundation Program in St. Louis, where she gained a breadth of knowledge in HR. After completing the program, Claire took on the role of Strategy and Integration Lead for Entry Level Development Programs, collaborating with global teams to launch two US-based development programs. In 2022, she moved to Brisbane to lead Boeing Defence Australia’s Graduate Program. Claire holds an MBA in HR Management from Michigan State University and a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin, along with certification as an HR Professional through the Society of HR Management. Her unique blend of advertising and HR expertise enhances her approach to talent development. |
| Charlie Cowell Graduate Program Manager, Commonwealth Bank Charlie is the Graduate Program Manager at Commonwealth Bank, leading development programs for graduates and interns across data science, quantitative and predictive modelling, AI and machine learning. He supports recruitment, structured onboarding, rotation design and performance development, ensuring early careers talent contribute to high impact analytical and technical work while building capability through bootcamps and learning experiences. Before joining CommBank, Charlie managed emerging careers programs at BDO in Australia, delivering vacation and graduate recruitment, campus engagement and assessment processes across Queensland. He has also held early careers roles with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and began his career in professional services recruitment with Hays. A two-time AAGE Top Graduate Recruiter nominee, he is committed to creating meaningful pathways for emerging talent and supporting future focused workforce capability. |
| Lynaire EcclesSenior Talent Acquisition Business Partner – Early Careers, BDO Lynaire is a dedicated Early Careers specialist and currently works as a Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner – Early Careers at BDO in Australia. In her role, she leads student attraction and recruitment, delivers BDO’s vacationer and graduate programs, engages with high schools and leads key national projects, including the design and implementation of BDO’s graduate program and the firm’s high school outreach initiatives. She is also an active member of BDO’s Women@BDO committee, contributing to initiatives that support gender equity and an inclusive workplace. With over seven years’ early careers experience across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, within professional services, construction and technology, Lynaire brings strong expertise in student recruitment and emerging talent development. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to shaping high-quality candidate experiences and building inclusive programs that empower emerging talent to thrive. |
| Rasika Grice Entry Level Programs Team Leader, Services Australia Rasika currently leads a team in supporting the delivery of robust and innovative Entry Level Programs within Services Australia, with a portfolio focus on graduate program learning and development, pastoral care and the Cadet program from end to end. Rasika is especially passionate about leadership development and capability uplift within early careers and the broader workforce. She has had a variety of HR experience through Policy, Advisory and Business Partnering within her early tenure, whilst always finding her way back to Entry Level Programs. Having been a HR graduate after completing her Bachelor of Psychological Science (First Class Honours) at the University of Queensland, she has experienced firsthand the impact graduate programs and early careers have on participants and the everchanging workforce. Rasika is eager to continue investing in entry level participants, ensuring they are valued and empowered to adapt, innovate and discover their passions in the workplace. |
| Kate MinnsNational Talent Acquisition Lead, Grant Thornton Kate is the National Talent Acquisition Leader at Grant Thornton Australia, overseeing the design and development of Grant Thornton’s national early talent recruitment strategy and employer branding, as well as managing the day-to-day operations of the broader talent acquisition team. With over 12 years’ experience in the Professional Services sector and 10 years in the graduate recruitment and talent acquisition space, Kate has a passion for helping students navigate their options for graduate employment and helping organisations to identify exceptional talent and potential. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Accounting from QUT in Brisbane. |
 | Suhar OsmanTalent and Inclusive Program Consultant, Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (VIC) Suhar works in the Victorian Public Service she brings over seven years of experience in organisational development, specialising in diversity and inclusion, learning and development, and employment programs. She began her career at the Department of Treasury and Finance, where she supported the implementation and delivery of the department’s first Diversity Scholarship Program. Passionate about driving organisational success through people, Suhar has a strong focus on fostering diversity within teams and creating inclusive pathways for emerging talent. Currently, Suhar serves as the Talent and Inclusive Program Consultant at the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action, overseeing the end-to-end delivery of the department’s Science Graduate Program and working across internships and work experience initiatives. |
| Darcy RichardsonTalent Partner, Urban Utilities Darcy is a curious talent professional with experience across the utilities, mining and energy sectors. He's currently a Talent Partner at Urban Utilities, leading the organisation’s Early Careers Pathway Programs, including graduate programs, internships and work experience. He is responsible for end-to-end program delivery, encompassing campaign branding, talent attraction, selection, onboarding and the ongoing development and enablement of participants throughout their journey. Darcy holds a Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Queensland, majoring in Human Resources and International Business. In 2026, he will begin further study in Career Development and Counselling to broaden his expertise in career pathways. He is passionate about partnering with stakeholders to strengthen organisational capability by attracting and retaining emerging talent, with a focus on building a resilient, inclusive and diverse workforces aligned to the skill needs of the future. |
 | James Schlunke Head of Early Careers, Capgemini James is an award-winning early careers professional with a strong background in project management, business analysis and functional consulting. He is an empathy-driven leader and digital inclusion champion who is passionate about developing others and forming meaningful connections with graduates, external partners and all other stakeholders. James has accumulated a track record of excellent results and has helped drive Capgemini's early careers team to several accolades and industry recognitions, including the number one-rated graduate program for graduate satisfaction (AAGE) in 2023 and 2024, the number one-rated graduate program for graduate satisfaction and brand popularity (Prosple) in 2024 and 2025, and being recognised as the most popular graduate program for technology consulting (Financial Review/GradConnection) in 2023, 2024 and 2025. In 2025, Capgemini was named Most Popular Overall Graduate Employer (Financial Review/GradConnection and won the AAGE Graduate Recruitment Industry Award for Outstanding Graduate Program (Graduate Intake Over 50). |
| Greta TreloarEarly Careers, Lendlease Greta’s passion for Early Careers began at university, where she completed an internship designing graduate assessment centres. Since then, Greta has developed an expertise in attracting and retaining emerging talent across diverse industries. Greta started her career in Canberra in Big Four consulting before relocating to Sydney and transitioning into the legal sector. Today, Greta manages Early Careers in the construction industry at Lendlease. Greta is passionate about employer branding and designing early identification initiatives that connect high-potential students with meaningful career opportunities. |
| Sam TurnpennyEarly Careers Manager, Clayton Utz Sam is an early careers specialist with experience designing and delivering early talent strategies across the UK, US, EMEA and Australia. He has led entry-level recruiting and early careers programs for global organisations spanning law, tech, finance and consulting, and has built student development and employability programs for universities and non-profits. Sam is passionate about social mobility and supporting young people from underrepresented backgrounds into graduate employment. He also has a keen interest in HR technology and has conducted academic research on AI adoption in talent acquisition. Sam holds a master's degree in global human resource management and is a certified member of the Australian HR Institute and the CIPD. |
Interested in joining the AAGE Committee?
The expectations of a committee member are as follows:
- Attend monthly AAGE Committee meetings via teleconference (approximately one hour per month).
- Bring fresh, creative ideas to the table and provide input on all issues raised by the Committee.
- Advocate the AAGE and support recruiting new members. Attend local events and host events from time to time (e.g. providing venue, presenting or MC-ing).
- Be involved on a sub-committee or a major project during the year.
- Be prepared and available to be interviewed from time to time for various media.
- Attend AAGE Annual Conference and provide input, such as hosting workshop sessions or presenting.
- Work towards further developing the AAGE and its mission to improve graduate outcomes through networking.
Nominations for the 2025 AAGE Committee have now closed. Please contact us if you would like to express your interest in joining the Committee should a position become available.