2026 nominee - Champion of Veteran Employment
As the proud partner of an Australian Defence Force veteran, a member of a military family, and a former student of a military school in the United Kingdom, Lily Mickleburgh has a strong personal connection to the veteran community. These experiences have shaped her understanding of military culture, service, resilience, and the challenges veterans and their families face when transitioning to civilian careers. They have also inspired her passion for creating employment opportunities and advocating for the unique skills, leadership, and experience veterans bring to the workforce.
Originally from the UK, Lily relocated to Australia in 2013 and has since built a successful career in talent acquisition and workforce strategy. Based in Melbourne, she currently leads the Talent Acquisition function for Bureau Veritas across the Pacific region, partnering with senior leaders to attract, develop, and retain high-performing talent.
Over the past two years, Lily has designed and led Bureau Veritas’ veteran employment strategy, transforming the organisation from having limited awareness of military employment pathways into a recognised employer of choice for veterans, veteran partners and military families. Through targeted recruitment initiatives, mentoring programs, education campaigns, and career pathways, she has driven change and expanded employment opportunities for the veteran community. Lily remains committed to building inclusive workplaces where veterans and their families can thrive.
Recognising the valuable skills veterans bring to the workforce, including leadership, resilience, adaptability and a strong commitment to service, Lily developed a strategic approach focused not just on recruitment, but on creating an environment where veterans can build careers. Under her leadership, Bureau Veritas introduced a tailored Veteran Employment Policy, dedicated recruitment and selection processes that recognise military experience, structured mentoring opportunities and clear career pathways designed to support successful transition and development.
A key achievement has been the implementation of a hiring approach that prioritises suitably qualified veterans and veteran partners, ensuring greater access to employment opportunities while helping remove barriers often experienced during the transition from military to civilian careers. These initiatives have resulted in increased veteran representation across the organisation and strengthened retention and engagement outcomes.
Understanding that sustainable change requires cultural awareness, Lily has also focused on education and capability building. She has designed and facilitated learning sessions for employees and leaders to increase understanding of military culture, veteran transition and the strengths veterans bring to the workplace. In partnership with the BV Academy, BVs' internal learning platform, she has established self-paced learning resources that provide ongoing education on supporting veterans.
Lily's advocacy extends through to trainee and early-career programs she has created opportunities for the children of veterans entering the workforce, supporting the broader military family community.
Through her leadership, commitment and advocacy, Lily has embedded veteran employment into BVs people strategy and culture, creating lasting opportunities and ensuring veterans, partners and military families are supported, recognised and empowered to succeed.