Engineer. Pilot. Executive Leader. AI & Aerospace Innovator.
Renee Wootton Tomlin is an aerospace engineer, commercial pilot, and award-winning executive leader recognised for navigating complex transformations across aviation, technology, and start-ups.
Recognised as AFR BOSS Young Executive of the Year and winner of the 7NEWS NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year, Renee has spent her career at the intersection of engineering, leadership, and innovation.
Her experience spans:
Optimising flight performance at Qantas Group
Driving sustainability innovation and cultural change initiatives
Leading First Nations engagement strategies
Scaling international start-ups in aviation and energy transition
Speaking and consulting globally on AI adoption, leadership, and aerospace innovation
At her core, Renee is a converter—someone who translates complexity into clarity, gets people onboard with change, and helps organisations pivot quickly even without perfect information.
She is passionate about building future-ready organisations, leading high-performing teams, and shaping a more inclusive and sustainable aerospace industry.
Australian Renewable Fuels Week 2025
“True innovation happens where engineering meets humanity.”
Lend Lease | Panel Discussion
Speaking Activities
Renee is a dynamic keynote speaker and facilitator who brings technical credibility, leadership experience, and human storytelling to every stage. She has delivered talks across aerospace, sustainability, technology, and leadership—from global conferences to boardrooms.
Signature Topics:
AI in Aerospace – How leaders and engineers can confidently adopt AI to stay competitive
Future-Ready Leadership – Building resilient, high-performing teams in times of rapid change
Cultural Change & Mindset Shifts – Navigating conflict, unlocking collaboration, and driving transformation
Sustainable Aviation & Innovation – The future of aerospace, energy transition, and climate action
Diversity in STEM & Leadership – Why inclusive leadership fuels innovation and business success
Renee’s speaking style is engaging, practical, and inspiring, leaving audiences with the tools and confidence to act.
UNSW | Alumni Speech, 2020
“In Australia alone, only 12% of the nations engineers are female and in 2014 there were only approximately 500 indigenous engineers identified. These statistics are why I am motivated in giving my time to the Power of Engineering, along with many other indigenous non-profit organisations and programs. There is a clear lack of female and indigenous representation within Australia in the engineering field, and this is important because it impacts the world around us.”
Qantas | Inspiring and educating young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
Recognition
AFR BOSS Young Executive (2024) – selected by The Australian Financial Review’s BOSS Magazine as one of the nation’s standout emerging leaders.
7NEWS NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year (2024) – overall state winner at the Young Achiever Awards.
Superstars of STEM cohort (2020‑22) – one of 60 women chosen by Science & Technology Australia to champion visible STEM role‑models.
Top 30 Indigenous Young Leaders in NSW (2018) – honoured by (then) Governor Sir David Hurley and Mrs Hurley.
Profiled by leading media including The Australian Financial Review, Women’s Agenda, The Australian Jewish News and The Daily Telegraph for her impact across aviation, climate‑tech and community leadership.
A donation will be made to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation when you work with me.
Being able to read opens so many doors. But in very remote Indigenous communities, books can be scarce and literacy levels are often much lower than anywhere else in Australia. ILF's purpose is to make a difference to the lives of Indigenous families by not only gifting thousands of new, culturally appropriate books - with a focus on early literacy and first language - but also by running programs to inspire the communities to tell and publish their own stories, in the languages they choose.
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