As the Head of People – Surface Ships, Ema is responsible for the delivery of the workforce strategy and plan across the Surface Ships business unit in Australia. With over 3,500 employees delivering the design, build and sustainment of complex warships, including the Hunter Class Frigate Program and the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers, the business unit has an ambition for significant growth in workforce size and capability. To achieve this, Ema leads the People team effort to ensure exceptional outcomes in workforce attraction, retention and capability development, showcasing BAE Systems Australia as an employer of choice.​

Ema plays a key role in supporting efforts across industry, government and academia, that contribute towards growing an enduring and uniquely Australian sovereign industrial capability, in support of continuous naval shipbuilding for future generations. Ema is a member of the Australian Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Industry Group. ​

Ema has worked for BAE Systems for 6 years and prior to her current role, worked with the Engineering, Project Management, Supply Chain and Commercial functions. Prior to working at BAE Systems, Ema was a senior Human Resources professional at Deloitte, working across South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania. ​