Denise has worked as Director Communications and Customer Management in Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG) in the Australian Government Department of Defence for more than two years, in which time she has transformed the organisation’s approach to internal and external communications. It has been a challenging task to improve communications in a complex multi-cultural IT environment comprising military, APS and contracted staff.
Her major accomplishments over the last 12 months include a detailed audit of CIOG’s current communications methods and the development and introduction of an overarching communications strategy. This coincided with the appointment of a new Chief Information Officer. She also led a small team in the redevelopment of the CIOG Internet and Intranet sites and the development of other information materials, including the Defence Information Infrastructure Plan, for launch at the 2007 Defence and Industry Conference.
Her recent projects include the development of communication strategies to inform all stakeholders of ongoing reform within CIOG, changes to ICT support in Defence regional areas, the development of new strategies for CIOG’s engagement with and sourcing of support from industry, and CIOG’s input to the new Defence White Paper.
Denise has also acted as a role model and mentor for male and female Defence graduates interested in a communication career in Defence IT. Denise Thomas is the May 2008 WICked Woman Award Recipient