Meet Megan Collins Quinlan, Events and Administration Coordinator at the Canberra Cyber Hub! With a career spanning multiple countries and a passion for process and creativity, Megan brings a wealth of experience to her role at the Canberra Cyber Hub. From running her own communications business in the UK to diving into Canberra’s fast-paced tech scene, she’s always been drawn to innovation, connection and the impact of well-executed events. In this interview, Megan shares her path into the world of cyber, what excites her about the industry and how she’s found a surprising synergy between structure and storytelling.
Let’s get to know Megan!
Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your passions and what drives you?
I’m Megan Collins Quinlan (the proud owner of the longest email address in the team!) and my role is Events and Administration Coordinator. I was born in NZ and lived and worked for most of my life in the UK. I pretend to be a minimalist, but my creative passions that include knitting and crochet and the required materials means that I can no longer make that claim! I also love to travel and these days it is more of a necessity as my adult children both live in the UK where they are pursuing careers in music and corporate accounting respectively. While it is hard to be separated from them, the excuse to head to Europe now and then is a bonus.
Can you share a bit about your career background and what led you to the role you now have with the Canberra Cyber Hub?
I joined the Canberra Cyber Hub team in January 2025 after a previous operations and communications manager role with a Canberra analytics consultancy. But this wasn’t my first foray into the world of tech events and marketing. Before moving to Canberra in 2022, I lived for 25 years in the UK where I ran my own communications and marketing business with a focus on SaaS – particularly in the retail sector. I have worked with hundreds of clients on everything from full software launches and international conferences to single website pages and simple product descriptions.
A small number of longer term and permanent roles in marketing and copywriting departments for some global companies are sprinkled across my CV and these gave me the corporate experience that provides a rounded and pragmatic approach to work and careers.
How have your previous positions/skills attained assisted in moving to this new role?
While my degree in American Studies (gained at the University of Canterbury in NZ) may have taught me to write and research, it was my natural interest in process, project management and (dare I say it?) marketing and sales platforms that pushed me towards a coordination role. Give me a detailed spreadsheet and a never-ending list of tasks and I am in my element. My previous role was operations with communications, and this suited me perfectly as it met my creative side while indulging my process-driven side. The Canberra Cyber Hub role has done the same, but with even more focus on improving processes and really providing value for the team.
The Canberra Cyber Hub role also met my interest in technology and business success. Running my own small business has given me an understanding of the challenges our customers face and the importance of collaboration and networking. The fact this role gave me the chance to create events that facilitate business success was a huge draw.
Add copywriting, video creation, webinars, podcasts, website design and other more creative activities into the mix and you can see that my career has incorporated a range of different skills that some would say describes me a “generalist”. The fact I get to use some of these skills in this role as well is just the icing on the cake!
What excites you most about working with the Canberra Cyber Hub and the cyber security industry?
A large part of my working life has been about working with start-ups, and this is often related to innovative and forward-thinking industries. Cyber is one of these emerging industries that is fast becoming an area that all businesses of all sizes need to have at least a passing understanding of. I love hearing about our customers’ products and services and how they are finding solutions to some of the biggest challenges in the sector. It is a privilege to hear some of these stories and to see them take important steps forward in their business journey.
What is one thing you are looking forward to achieving with Canberra Cyber Hub?
One of the many things that this role offers is the chance to upskill. We understand the importance of continuous learning, and this is something we promote via our education partners. For me – even as a more mature learner – ongoing training and education is one of my passions. Adding to my skills base with courses in cyber is high on my agenda and I would like to niche-down into this sector to really provide great value to the team and our core customer base.
Since moving to Canberra, I have become fascinated with the way that industry and Government work together – the business structures, the influence of legislation and policy and the access to government contracts and funding. The Canberra Cyber Hub works hard to bridge these two worlds and provides a place for a conversation across what might seem like a huge barrier. Our aim is to show how Canberra is an amazing place for cyber companies to set up and thrive and I love being a part of that.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in cyber security, especially if they come from a different industry?
It’s never too late! Cyber is probably one of the few tech-based sectors where it is possible to translate a range of skills. The breadth of role types extends from highly skilled technicians and mathematicians to marketers, administrators and designers. No matter your age, cyber embraces all. Every one of us understands that our personal information is at risk and must be protected, and so all of us understand the fundamentals of this business.
What’s something about Canberra Cyber Hub or the cyber industry that surprised you since joining?
How much can be achieved by such a small team! This is a universal truth that working with people who are committed and supportive means you can truly make a difference. Cyber may not have been on my agenda before I came here, but it has captured my interest in a way that surprised me. There is much more to this industry than meets the eye and I am proud to be a fundamental part of the events that bring it to life for others too.
