Team Leadership – Cyber Security Leadership

CSO30 Awards Winner

I’m proud to have been recognised as one of the top Chief Security Officers in Australia!

I couldn’t have done this without the support and commitment from my team, peers and the wider cyber security community globally.

Board Strategy Day

I”m very proud to have joined the board of SMART Recovery Australia with the mission to help people live a life beyond addiction through evidence-based, inclusive and empowering programs.

And no better way to start than with a strategy offsite bringing together fellow directors and the executive team for a day focusing on financial sustainability, AI governance, risk appetite and long-term impact measurement.

I look forward to contributing and applying my experience in board directorship, social impact measurement, AI in the not-for-profit sector, NFP governance, cybersecurity, strategy and leadership.

Human connection in a digital world

Two leadership programs completed 📚

The AGSM Professional Forum was about complexity – and specifically the costs that never hit a balance sheet: reputational damage, talent attrition, strategic drift. The masterclass dropped us into a scenario that escalated in real time, with no playbook and no obvious right answer. Does your week sometimes look like that?

“Learn to Lead” made the case that human connection as a strategic capability – and one that matters more, not less, as AI reshapes how we work.

Security proves it daily: the strongest controls fail without trust, judgment and people who feel safe enough to flag the thing that looks off.

I particularly liked the idea of cognitive upsizing when using AI – yes, offload tasks to the machine, but use the freed up bandwidth for deeper thinking and to solve even more ambitious challenges.

The throughline across both: lead through uncertainty instead of waiting for a certainty that isn’t coming, and pair the data with real human connection. Neither is enough on its own.

Grateful to the facilitators and the people I learned alongside.

How to land cyber deliverables: from strategy to impact

It was good to moderate a discussion on bridging the gap between strategy and execution. Great, candid conversation and plenty I’ll take back to the office.

Key takeaways:

☑️ Buy-in happens when you translate risk into business impact, work across functions and deliver early, visible wins.

☑️ Common pitfall: a glossy PowerPoint deck with no delivery plan. Convert vision into smaller, time-boxed outcomes with clear owners.

☑️ What makes the difference: realistic roadmaps, measurable OKRs (outcomes not activity), empowered teams and a steady governance cadence that removes blockers.

Thanks to the panelists and everyone in the audience who challenged orthodoxies – I learned as much as I hope I gave.

I’m finishing the year having completed The Observership Program as a Board Observer with the Lokahi Foundation, an experience that provided valuable insight into board governance.

Alongside social impact and governance training from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, tailored to not-for-profit board directors, I spent twelve months observing a purpose-driven board and deepening my understanding of how decisions that matter are made.

Top takeaways:

• The art of questioning – how different types of questions shape discussion and drive clarity.

• Director responsibilities – the difference between reporting to a board and serving on one.

• Bringing stakeholders on a journey – effective communication, buy-in and sustained impact.

• Practical exposure to fundraising, strategy, marketing, sustainability and operations in the not-for-profit sector.

I had a chance to apply skills from my MBA and global corporate experience to support the board. I also drew on my domain expertise in cybersecurity, data protection, technology innovation, AI and impact measurement, particularly championing ethical data practices.

Thank you to the Lokahi Foundation board and the Observership Program for the opportunity to learn and give back. I’m excited to keep building these skills and to support future boardrooms.

Protecting reputation and building trust: lessons from the field

I recently presented on how supplier relationships shape cybersecurity risk and why that risk ultimately becomes a reputational and trust challenge for organisations of every size and sector. Below is a summary of the most important lessons I shared, plus practical next steps security leaders can apply today.

It was so good to attend the RSAC CISO Bootcamp at CyberCon Melbourne – a practical session for CISOs.

Highlights that stuck with me:
💡 A conversation with Brian Krebs on AI security and organised cybercrime: attackers are tooling up fast; our defences must keep pace.
💡 A candid, closed-door session with Tim Brown, CISO of SolarWinds, about crisis response: execution matters, but so does the personal toll on teams and leaders.
💡 A chat with F1’s Guenther Steiner on teamwork and resilience in high-pressure environments.

Events like this remind me how much strength there is in our community. I’m proud to contribute and be part of it. You don’t need a challenge coin to get help – if you want to compare notes or need a sounding board, reach out.

CSO30 Award 2025

Super proud to be recognised as one of Australia’s top cybersecurity leaders 🏆

The award recognises 30 CISOs for demonstrating outstanding leadership and business value.

Congratulations to all CIO and CISO honourees.

I’ve been awarded the Responsible Management Prize 🏆

This award recognises the values that guide me every day: honesty, integrity and leading with purpose.

In today’s evolving business landscape, where AI, risk management and cybersecurity intersect, ethical practice is essential. Because what we stand for today shapes the world we build tomorrow.

As algorithms power more of our decisions, we must ensure they’re transparent, fair and aligned with human values. Balancing innovation with resilience means anticipating unintended consequences, protecting stakeholders and driving sustainable outcomes.

Safeguarding data and privacy isn’t merely a technical challenge – it’s a trust imperative that underpins every relationship.

Thank you to the selection committee for recognising the work we’ve done together to build an inclusive, principled and forward-looking learning community.

Board observership

I’m excited to join the Lokahi Foundation as a Board Observer through The Observership Program in partnership with Australian Institute of Company Directors and The Ethics Centre.

The program is designed to equip leaders with skills and practical experience for not-for-profit board and social impact leadership. I found the sessions on governance, finance, risk and strategy for not-for-profit directors very useful.

I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to an organisation that is truly making a difference and driving systemic change in our communities.

Category Archives: Team Leadership