Congrats to Emma Bell – Recipient of the 2021 CDU Alumnus Award for Industry Excellence

Congratulations to TSA’s Emma Bell, recipient of the 2021 Charles Darwin University (CDU) Alumnus Award for Industry Excellence. Awarded for demonstrating outstanding competence across infrastructure, the built environment, design development, and construction throughout her 25-year career, Emma is an inspirational and highly valued member of the TSA team.

Emma has always been a high achiever. While studying at CDU, she received the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) student of the year award, ultimately leading to a role with the Northern Territory Government (NTG) Major Projects Division. “The role with NTG really enabled me to hone the skills I’d developed through my studies while getting ‘hands-on’ experience in infrastructure construction.”

From there, Emma moved into the Defence sector, and the rest (as they say) is history. Over the past ten years project managing an impressive array of Northern Territory (NT) Defence Estate capital works projects, Emma’s had a hand in most training areas, army, airforce, and navy establishments across Darwin and Katherine. She has also managed the delivery of many major Defence projects nationally, including participating in a parliamentary works committee hearing in Queensland.

Joining TSA in 2020, Emma’s passion, dedication, and exceptional industry experience has cemented her place as an esteemed and integral member of our Defence team. Most recently, Emma and her TSA project team successfully delivered the RAAF Base Darwin, Estate Base Master Plan preparations and design management of the RAAF Base Darwin Mid Term Refresh (MTR) Master Plan Feasibility Review (MPFR) design.

A skilled communicator and project manager, Emma attributes her success to emotional intelligence, a focus on listening, and her commitment to always acting with integrity. Reputed for her collegial and calm approach, Emma is widely admired amongst her TSA colleagues for her work ethic and penchant for helping others. Her advice to others (and in particular women) within the construction industry is a reflection of her strength and mindset, “Never think you can’t do anything and ignore anyone who suggests you’re not good enough. Be resilient, have a goal in mind, and be determined to reach it. And never hold back because of your gender. The landscape for women in the construction industry has certainly changed since I started… so what are you waiting for?”.

With a thirst for education, Emma never rests on her laurels. She has achieved a postgraduate in teaching, become an affiliated professional for the Green Building Council of Australia (GSAP), and undertaken an Advanced Diploma in Building and Construction Management. Her passion for the environment and construction industry is evident, “Climate change adaptation now drives a significant part of planning, design, and construction. For Defence, climate change adaptation is critical to ensuring the continued safety and protection of Defence personnel and surrounding communities. It provides assurances for emerging Defence capabilities to operate with resilience well into the future”.

And with Emma on board, the future is indeed bright. Currently based in Sydney, Emma is a native of Cambridge, England. She first moved to the NT in 2007, where she gained her Australian citizenship and spent eight years studying and working locally. When asked what she so loves about the NT, Emma’s reply was speedy and succinct, “The tropical climate, the wet season, the people and the fishing!”. Emma is passionate about being part of projects that create benefits for the NT community.

Congratulations Emma – your CDU Alumnus Award for Industry Excellence is an outstanding and deserved achievement. TSA is proud to support you as you continue your extraordinary journey, and we look forward to celebrating your inevitable future successes.