🎙 New Episode Drop!

S02E48 | Joe Piasecki - Surfer, stockman, submariner, social procurement. One man's journey to find his personal legend.

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Piasecki, a Royal Australian Navy veteran who has become one of Victoria’s strongest operators in social procurement and community impact.

After nearly a decade serving in submarine engineering, Joe transitioned into major infrastructure and quickly built a reputation for delivering measurable social value. At North East Link Tunnels, he led a team that achieved $55M+ in social procurement outcomes, supporting more than 70 social benefit suppliers and Aboriginal-owned businesses.

Joe explains what meaningful social procurement really looks like, why disadvantaged jobseekers need more than good intentions, and how strong governance and cultural leadership can turn “requirements” into genuine community legacy.

He also shares a great personal contrast — going from a 1.2 million–acre cattle station to living inside a 77-metre submarine.

A grounded, practical conversation for anyone in infrastructure, procurement, ESG, workforce programs, or veteran leadership.

🌐 Learn more: http://edifyconnect.com.au
🌐 Join the VBC Community: veteranbc.com/join-our-community

#VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranOwnedBusiness #SocialProcurement #Infrastructure #ESG #CommunityImpact #VeteransInConstruction #MajorProjects #AustralianVeterans

🎙 New Episode Drop!

S02E47 | Andrew Warner - Veteran Workforce Solutions - how Andy's 25 year career in the military has led to an amazing business helping corporate Australia hold and grow their veteran workforce.

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Warner, founder and CEO of Veteran Workforce Solutions (VWS) — a nationally recognised veteran-owned business delivering scalable, procurement-aligned programs that help Australian organisations attract, support and retain veteran talent.

After nearly 25 years in the Australian Army, with deployments to East Timor, Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan, Andy transitioned into senior logistics and supply chain roles across the defence industry. What he saw there shaped everything that came next: veteran value talked about publicly, but rarely built into real systems, capability or long-term outcomes.

That insight led him to create VWS — not as a gesture, but as a credible, structured framework that gives employers, government and procurement teams something real to work with. Andy breaks down the difference between genuine veteran support and what he calls “vet cladding”, and shares what corporate Australia must understand if they want to truly harness veteran potential.

🌐 Learn more: veteranworkforce.com.au
🌐 Join the VBC Community: veteranbc.com/join-our-community

#VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranOwnedBusiness #VeteranEmployment #WorkforceDevelopment #Leadership #DefenceIndustry #VeteranSupport #CorporateAustralia

🎙 New Episode Drop!

S02E46 | Angela Harper - Aviation medic to Press Club journalist to QLD Senate candidate to PR consultant. Everything you need to know about Public Affairs and Government Relations

In this episode, we speak with Angela Harper, whose career spans the Army, national media, politics and now public affairs. From aviation medic to Press Gallery journalist to Senate candidate, Angela has spent over 20 years working where politics, policy and media collide.

Today she leads HarPR, guiding organisations through government engagement, advocacy and reputation management. Angela breaks down how Canberra really works, what drives decision-makers, and the essentials every leader should know about Public Affairs and Government Relations.

👉 Website – veteranbc.com/veteran-media

🌐 Learn more: harpr.au
🌐 Join the VBC Community: veteranbc.com/join-our-community

#VBC #VBCPodcast #VeteranBusinessCommunity #VeteranOwnedBusiness #GovernmentRelations #PublicAffairs #Leadership #DefenceIndustry