Defence Innovation and Accelerator Agencies 101

Mathew D. Cantagallo joined the Australian Trade and Investment Commission as the US Defence & Security Director from Illinois Tool Works (ITW). At ITW, Mathew was the National Sales Manager for North America in charge of a team of fourteen regional sales reps and application engineers selling MRO lubricants and cleaners for the food, manufacturing, and aerospace sector. Before ITW, Mat served as a Business Investment Manager for the State of Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) focused on lead generation strategies for Virginia to targeted industry executives and site selection consultants.

Prior to joining VEDP, Mat served as an East Coast Regional Sales Manager for TT Electronics where he marketed and sold optoelectronics sensors for the Medical, Aerospace and Industrial Markets. Mat has also worked as International Defence Sales Manager for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC), specializing in naval inertial navigation sensor sales in the Oceanic, Asian, Middle East and Eastern Europe markets.

Leslie Babich joined the DEFENSEWERX team to lead SOFWERX in Tampa, FL in October 2020. As the Director of SOFWERX, Leslie provides operational and personnel oversight while developing and implementing business plans that optimize results for its government partner, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

Leslie brings 20+ years of special operations experience where she served as an MC-130 Pilot in Air Force Special Operations Command and held various leadership positions to include squadron command, Director of the Commander’s Action Group at Headquarters, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Commander, Joint Special Operations Air Component - Central.  She also served as the Fixed-Wing Assessment Director and Chief of Program Analysis and Evaluation at the United States Special Operations Command in the Force Structure, Requirements, Resources and Strategic Assessment Directorate. During her service, she deployed multiple times in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Enduring Freedom-Philippines, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. Prior to joining SOFWERX, Leslie was employed as a Business Unit Manager with Jabil Defense and Aerospace in Saint Petersburg, FL.

An accomplished strategic and operational leader, Judd has over 20 years’ experience in complex, high-risk program management focused in the defence, mining and engineering sectors. Having served multiple tours in conflict regions Judd has worked internationally across North America, the Middle East and Australasia and is currently focused on Federal (USA) programs in the Indo-Pacific region. Judd’s core skill is designing new programs and building them for the ground up, with recent success in securing new Federal (USA) prime contracts and previously establishing and growing successful specialized engineering companies. Judd is a well-regarded leader and industry expert and is a regular speaker at key defence events.

Ha Young Seok is a seasoned engineer with over two decades of experience in developing and managing UAV communication systems. He holds a doctorate in electronic engineering from Hanyang University.

Currently serving as the Team Leader and Principal Researcher at the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement (KRIT), Dr. Seok specializes in C4ISR Systems Technology Planning. His expertise extends to tactical communication technologies, including 5G, satellite communication, and electronic warfare. Dr. Seok's career highlights include leading the UAV development team at Korea Aerospace Industries Co., Ltd., where he successfully developed and deployed an unmanned aerial vehicle data link system from 2002 to 2006. His current role at KRIT involves planning, managing, and conducting international joint research in defense technology improvement.