Wednesday 15th October 2025
News
We’re thrilled to share that Human Quotient Group has been recognised with a 2025 Veterans, Emergency Services & Police Industry Institute of Australia (VESPIIA) Award for Excellence.
The “New Kid on the Block” award recognises new organisations (started within the last 3 years) that have already established strong relationships and delivered meaningful outcomes, for both the community and other VESPIIA members.
VESPIIA and the Awards for Excellence
VESPIIA is a professional body dedicated to strengthening the organisations, staff, and volunteers working tirelessly to improve the lives of veterans, emergency services, and police families across Australia. The awards were presented as part of the Future Frontlines: Momentum Matters conference, held on the 3rd October in Perth, Western Australia.
Innovative approaches with a focus on team and community
In presenting this award, VESPIIA highlighted Human Quotient Group’s innovative approaches to strengthening wellbeing and connection within the Defence and emergency services community and their employees.
“Their work shows that even in the early stages, a clear vision and strong execution can create immediate impact and set the tone for long-term contribution.”
Photo: Charlotte Webb, Defence Family Advocate of Australia, announces that Human Quotient Group is the winner of the New Kid on the Block award. Image credit: VESPIIA.
A proud milestone for Human Quotient Group
Co-founders, Claire Harris and Ron Kovalcik, built Human Quotient Group from the ground up to deliver outcomes for clients and social good, but most importantly to do that with awesome humans. According to Ron, receiving this award was an immense surprise.
“We are humbled to be awarded this recognition from VESPIIA,” he said.
“People are the backbone of our company and our services. We pride ourselves on continuously reinvesting in the veteran and service community. Whether through employment opportunities, training or program delivery, everything we do is aimed at achieving on our social mission (as a certified social enterprise)’” said Ron.
Working predominantly in Defence industry but as a social enterprise delivering targeted interventions to boost employment and wellbeing, is challenging but rewarding, according to Claire.
“I love having conversations with people to explain that we marry trade with social impact,” she said.
“Since launching, we have focused on 2 core things: the ‘inside’ of the business and the impact. Our people and the culture and how we solve problems for our clients is critical. As is creating community offers to actively address unemployment and underemployment, disadvantage and isolation in the veteran community, and especially the partners/spouses who are often invisible in public discourse.
“Through our programs and partnerships we hope to amplify capability across the sector and show that investing in the veteran community has a massive payoff to society,” said Claire.
Recognising the power of people and purpose
We’re deeply grateful to VESPIIA, and especially Shannon Hennessy, for recognising the power of innovation and collaboration across this sector. To those dedicated to Defence, veteran, and first responder families thriving, you continue to inspire us. We also congratulate the other award recipients, especially:
- APOD for winning the Transition program of the Year award. APOD are a wonderful partner and collaborator and were an official supporter of our Adelaide Cowork Coplay program in 2025.
- Amanda Tarrant for receiving the Research Piece of the Year award for her research Violence on the Homefront into the experiences of non-serving women impacted by family and domestic violence in relationships with military men. Amanda is an incredible leader in the community and we’re so grateful to have first met her a few years ago, in her role with Veterans SA, who were the first organisation to back Cowork Coplay for spouses of current- and former-serving ADF members.
- Servulink who won the award for the Supplier of the Year. We appreciate their work to showcase organisations in the veteran community via their digital hub app. Human Quotient Group is posted on the Servulink Digital Hub platform.
- Leah Whittle for her determination to make a better future for women serving in the Defence Force. Leah won the Diversity & Inclusion Program of the Year award for her Stand with Leah Campaign on the realities of sexual assault and harassment in service.
- Kookaburra Kids for winning the Social program of the Year award with their Defence Kids Program supporting children growing up in Defence families.
Read more about VESPIIA and VESPIIA Awards for Excellence.
Photo: Shannon Hennessy, from VESPIIA, speaking at the Future Frontlines Conference. Image credit: VESPIIA.