STEPHANIE ROBINSON
LEADING EARLY: IDENTIFYING LEADERSHIP QUALITIES IN YOURSELF FOR A MORE FULFILLING CAREER IN SECURITY by Stephanie Robinson, Head of Partnerships at AWSN
It is more than twenty years since I started working
challenges. It was not until I stumbled into security
in security to establish the first cybersecurity centre
that I really felt I was not merely doing a job but
in a UK University. Looking back I now realise how
was part of something massive for society, and I
much confidence I showed in taking forward an idea
ran with it. I look back and remember how I was
considered a little (if not a lot!) off piste, academically.
constantly nervous, expecting someone to brand me an imposter, who ‘doesn’t belong here’. I still have
Twenty years ago there was little interest in
to catch myself occasionally apologising for not
generating investment in what were perceived as
being ‘technical’.
geeky or niche projects. However, this was a project that would shape my career and open up many new,
I felt out of my depth when I think of my younger
exciting and innovative opportunities, and one that
self sitting at the table at our first pitch meeting to
would eventually lead me to becoming the first female
industry with people who had done extraordinary,
director of advancement in engineering in one of
exciting things. I was out of my depth, but I did not
Australia’s top universities.
really care. I just wanted to be a part of it for as long as I could, take notes and try to fly under the radar.
In my early career I worked mainly in fundraising
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roles. I loved the idea of knowing ‘what’s next’ in the
After studying law I had worked briefly in a legal
world. I worked with industry and philanthropists
practice, making coffee, becoming a pro with the
to fund new buildings, develop new medical
photocopier, preparing the mail. I could see it would
interventions and support the next generation
be a long route to partner and at that time, of the 12
of academics so they could solve our big global
partners in my practice only one was a woman.
W O M E N I N S E C U R I T Y M A G A Z I N E
M A R C H • A P R I L 2023