Audra McCarthy

Founder, CEO

Audra is the Founder and CEO of Synexis. She holds qualifications in project management, program management (MSP), lean six sigma and balanced scorecard reporting. In 2015 Audra was admitted as a fellow to CPA Australia and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).  She has worked in the defence sector for over fifteen years, with time spent equally in the public and private sectors. As the former CEO of Australia’s leading defence industry association, the Defence Teaming Centre, Audra successfully advocated for increased recognition and better payment terms for Australian SMEs in defence-related procurements. She has experience working in various sectors, including manufacturing, financial services and not-for-profit. Audra’s diverse experience and ability to build strong relationships means she is a trusted and respected adviser in Australia’s defence sector and across business circles generally.

As a former business adviser for the Defence Industry Innovation Centre (DIIC) and the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC), Audra provided business improvement and global supply chain advice to some of Australia’s leading homegrown defence businesses.  Over the years, she has provided guidance and assisted hundreds of companies to do business with Defence and Defence primes.

She is a strong advocate for Australian industry and is highly respected in the defence sector for providing pragmatic business advice easily implemented by small businesses.