Katherine Richards, AM, CSC, RAN, is the Chief Engineer of Engineers Australia - the national peak body for the Engineering profession. Representing over 140, 000 members, Katherine advocates for advancing Australian society through great engineering. She is also a board member of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and is one of only two hundred engineers nationally to have been recognised as an Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia.

Prior to these appointments, Katherine had a distinguished career spanning over 36 years in the Royal Australian Navy, retiring as a Rear Admiral in 2024. Her recent roles included the design and creation of the new nuclear submarine safety regulator for the AUKUS program and serving as the Head Navy Engineering.

Committed to lifelong learning, Katherine has post graduate degrees in Nuclear Regulation, Arts, Science and Management. She began her engineering career as a Midshipman at the Australian Defence Force Academy. An alumnus of UNSW, Katherine graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honours and as dux of her Navy class.