Debra Spence is the Founder and Master Distiller of Conrad Distillery, a craft distillery transforming rescued wine into internationally award-winning premium spirits. As a former Royal Australian Air Force avionics electrician and one of Australia's pioneering female military tradespeople, Debra has built her career around solving complex problems, challenging convention and creating opportunities where others see waste.
In 2020 she founded Conrad Distillery with a vision that extends far beyond producing spirits. Through an innovative rescue wine program, the business partners with wineries to transform surplus and unsaleable wine into premium grape-based spirits, reducing waste while creating new revenue opportunities for regional producers. In an established and highly competitive spirits market, Debra identified a gap that others had overlooked. What was once considered waste has become a luxury product, creating new revenue opportunities for wineries while significantly reducing environmental impact. This innovation has positioned Conrad Distillery as a leader in sustainable distilling and demonstrates that commercial success and environmental responsibility can coexist.
Under Debra's leadership, Conrad Distillery has earned international recognition, including Australia's Gin Distillery of the Year (2025), Australia's Grape Base Distillery of the Year, multiple London and Melbourne International Spirits Competition medals, and the prestigious Sustainable Spirits Producer of the Year award.
Debra Spence's service in the RAAF fundamentally shaped her approach to entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation. As an avionics electrician, she developed the discipline, resilience and analytical thinking required to solve complex problems where precision, accountability and teamwork were essential. Those military values continue to underpin Conrad Distillery.
Today, the same values that guided her military service—integrity, collaboration, excellence, initiative and purposeful problem solving—continue to define both her leadership and the culture of Conrad Distillery.
Debra's commitment to service has never ended. She mentors entrepreneurs, speaks nationally on innovation, sustainability and veteran entrepreneurship, and actively promotes regional Australia through tourism, education and collaboration.
Debra has not simply built an award-winning distillery. She has challenged conventional thinking, created a new premium product category, strengthened regional industry, and demonstrated that veteran leadership can deliver lasting economic, environmental and community impact.
Her philosophy remains unchanged from her years in uniform: Do Well. Do Right. Do it with Pride.
