Penelope is a multi-degree qualified professional with over 23 years’ experience in strategic and operational management, program, project and risk management, and governance and compliance. Penelope demonstrates people management, organisational culture and communications skills across a wide demographic and range of disciplines, including time in the Australian Defence Force.
Penelope joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 2001 as a Maritime Warfare Officer. Following the completion of her warfare time, Penelope transferred to Naval Police Officer, subsequently qualifying as a Naval Police Investigator and joining the Naval Investigative Service and becoming one of the first members of the ADF Investigative Service. Having undertaken a series of postings at sea and ashore, Penelope left full-time service in 2011 and is now a Naval Reservist, undertaking duties as a Management Executive (Niche) in the areas of culture, safety and capability development.
From 2010 to 2018, Penelope was the Chief Executive Officer of two different organisations, providing services for national and international clients in the government sector, mining and resources, oil and gas, public utilities, transport and civil construction as a consultant. During this tenure, Penelope was a national representative on government boards for industry in matters pertaining to training and skilling, and workforce planning and development.
For 23 years now, Penelope has worked heavily in the equality, diversity and inclusion spaces. In 2016, Penelope co-founded and now Chairs Women in Power – a Not-for-Profit organisation created to advance and empower women in industry. These days, the organisation provides training, coaching, mentoring and consultancy services to any member who seeks to be better. Penelope is currently a Director with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, providing expertise to multifaceted Defence clients across the nation as well as assisting internal committees with inclusion, diversity and equality services. She is a sought-after speaker, an author, a national Ambassador for various domestic violence, mental health and veteran-related organisations.
Penelope is a true leader of people and operations. She has been recognised as an innovator with unsurpassed drive and passion. Her stamina, resilience and wicked sense of humour have carried her through extraordinary challenges. She continues to receive accolades for her vision and entrepreneurship, including being named the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Award for Social Enterprise and Not-For-Profit and winner of three separate categories in the national Women in Industry Awards. She has also been named APAC CEO of the Year, the winner of Canberra’s ‘Women of Spirit’ Award and the winner of the Women in Defence – People and Culture Award.
Penelope is engaged to her partner, Michael, who is a current serving member of the Royal Australian Air Force. Together, with their 10-year old daughter MacKenzie and two fur babies, Max and Milo, they currently reside in Canberra where they enjoy everything outdoors and exercise.
Penelope firmly believes that DEFGLIS plays a pivotal role in the support and success of its’ members. She will use her position on the DEFGLIS Board to influence and empower individuals and organisations to reconnect and build awareness, education and peer support for the LGBTIQ community. Penelope will continue to be the voice for those who don’t have one or do not have enough strength to hold one….yet. On a daily basis, she lives by Dwayne Johnson’s mantra of “Be the type of person that when your feet touch the floor in the morning, the devil says “aww shit, they’re up…”
If you have any ideas or questions for Penelope, please contact her at penelope.twemlow@defglis.com.au.