Celebrating Helen McHugh: A Presidency Defined by Impact, Influence and Leadership

Over her two-year term as President, Helen chaired or participated in approximately 100–115 hours of formal Management Committee meetings and around 54 hours of formal Congress sittings, stewarding ACS through intensive governance, reform and strategic decision-making.

Her calendar also reflected extensive travel and representation, with presidential duties taking her beyond Canberra and Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide, Darwin and the Gold Coast for Management Committee and Congress meetings, Digital Pulse launches, awards evenings, Women in ICT events, Federal Budget functions, and a wide range of industry and government engagements.

Across this period, she completed more than 100 domestic flight legs, spending an estimated 150–160 hours in the air (as Helen says, “that’s four weeks, folks!”) — the equivalent of around four full working weeks devoted solely to interstate travel in service of the Society.

Executive Support to ACS President Amie Cossens revealed, through these travels and events, Helen met upwards of 2,000 ACS members. Amie said, “Helen genuinely enjoyed every single minute of engaging with the community she served.”

Reflecting on her Presidency, Helen said, “I’m filled with gratitude for our members, our volunteers, our National Congress and Management Committee, and for the ACS staff who bring our mission to life every day. It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve you.”

A Presidency That Raised ACS’s National Standing

When Helen commenced her term in 2024, she became only the second woman in ACS history to hold the role, a milestone that underscored the growing diversity of Australia’s technology sector. Over the following two years, she used the platform of the Presidency to ensure ACS was not only present in national conversations but actively shaping them.

She helped position the organisation as a respected, solutions-focused contributor across issues ranging from digital skills and AI readiness to inclusion, workforce capability and Australia’s global competitiveness.

“Pulling in my network, people are now leaning in and exceedingly excited about what we’re doing,” said Helen.

Community Connection and Building

Helen has always been focused on connecting people — to opportunities, to each other, and to ACS and its benefits. “I loved connecting with members, linking them with industry, and helping them make the most of their ACS benefits. I met more than 2,000 members and genuinely valued the moments,” said Helen.

She reflected: “At the beginning of this year, on the soccer field, I met a parent who happened to be a cyber security professional. What are the chances? So naturally, I encouraged him to attend the Digital Pulse launch to reintroduce him to ACS. He became very excited to re-engage and then explored the various certifications we offer at ACS.

“Recently, at my granddaughter’s Christmas concert (in the 33-degree heat!), he told me he is now an ACS Cyber Security Certified Professional.”

Helen also spent meaningful time with the ACS staff. “Conversations with the team reminded me how deeply committed our people are to our members and the future of the tech profession,” said Helen.

Championing Policy Influence and Government Engagement

A hallmark of Helen’s Presidency has been the breadth and depth of her engagement with ministers, policymakers and senior government stakeholders.

In May 2024, she welcomed Minister Julie Collins to the Sydney Tech Hub for a policy roundtable on housing affordability, launching a national discussion on the role technology can play in addressing structural challenges. Shortly after, she spoke at the ACS Victoria iSTEM Career Fair, sharing her career journey with more than 120 attendees and encouraging more women and underrepresented groups to pursue STEM pathways.

Her national influence continued through her presence at Government and Opposition Budget events in May 2024, where she welcomed federal investment in AI safety and robotics while urging greater action on digital skills, STEM diversity and innovation-led economic reform.

Helen further strengthened ACS’s influence in August 2024 when she met with Minister Ed Husic to discuss AI adoption, national certification pathways, workforce development, and collaboration opportunities across Australia’s technology ecosystem.

In February 2025, she represented ACS at Parliament House for the launch of the Tech Policy Design Institute, reinforcing ACS’s commitment to evidence-based, non-partisan policymaking.

Across 2025, she led high-level discussions with ministers including Senator Maria Kovacic, Senator Tim Ayres, Dr Andrew Charlton, Minister Anika Wells and Minister Penny Wong, covering responsible AI governance, data protection, Digital Pulse economic insights, regional connectivity, youth tech issues and Australia’s international technology position.

Through these engagements, Helen ensured ACS remained a trusted adviser on the most pressing technology issues facing the nation.

Strengthening ACS Digital Pulse as a National Thought-Leadership Asset

Under Helen’s leadership, ACS Digital Pulse, the organisation’s flagship research publication, continued to grow as an authoritative national benchmark for Australia’s digital economy.

She oversaw and supported the release of both the 10th and 11th editions, ensuring the report remained central to Australia’s understanding of digital skills, workforce trends and technology’s economic impact.

Helen consistently referenced Digital Pulse in her engagements with government, industry and media, using its insights to inform evidence-based policy discussions and highlight priority areas such as innovation capability, workforce shortages, AI readiness and emerging sector opportunities.

Her engagement with senior ministers, including Senator Tim Ayres and Dr Andrew Charlton, was anchored in Digital Pulse findings, demonstrating how ACS data can inform national approaches to innovation-led economic growth.

Through her advocacy, alongside CEO Josh Griggs and the broader team, Digital Pulse gained wider recognition as a credible and influential resource shaping Australia’s digital policy landscape.

As a result, Digital Pulse achieved more than one million media impressions, driving national conversations through top-tier publications including The Australian Financial Review and The Australian.

Championing Emerging Professionals and the Future Workforce

Helen’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of ICT professionals was evident throughout her Presidency. She supported the national Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC) at their April 2024 meeting, backing initiatives such as the National Tech Event, mentorship platforms, the Tech Ambassador Program and the development of new emerging professional credentials.

She continued this support through university and early-career events nationwide, including the Debug Your Career panel in Tasmania in October 2025, where she inspired students and graduates while supporting the launch of the new ACS Tasmania Emerging Professionals Committee.

In Darwin, Helen sat with a Professional Year graduate, guiding him through job-search strategies during a speed-mentoring session. In Hobart, she advised a tech student on potential career pathways and connected her with a local company for further support.

One of the proudest moments of Helen’s ACS journey came in November 2025, when ACS announced CyberPath: Paving the Way Forward for Cyber Professionals.

Working alongside the Australian Information Security Association (AISA), the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C) and the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN), ACS brought together a national consortium to help shape the future of Australia’s cyber security profession, with support from the Department of Home Affairs.

Led by ACS, CyberPath is a key initiative under the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Strategy 2023–2030. The program will see industry and the broader technology community co-design and pilot a Cyber Security Professionalisation Scheme, creating clearer career, skills and education pathways for those working in and aspiring to enter the cyber security workforce.

For Helen, CyberPath represents exactly what ACS should stand for: collaboration, leadership and lasting impact for the profession.

Helen reflected: “What makes this cyber security grant truly special is the way it has been designed. Rather than a single organisation being announced as the winner, this is a genuine consortium approach, bringing together trusted partners and key stakeholders from across the sector. That is both rare and ground-breaking, and it reflects how this work should be done.

“Josh led this process with openness and collaboration. He would often call to test an idea, to ask ‘what do you think?’ or ‘what about this approach?’ I would ask whether he thought it could be delivered — and each time, he answered with quiet confidence. And each time, he delivered.

“This way of working — collaborative, practical and focused on outcomes — is exactly what ACS stands for and exactly what the cyber security profession needs.”

Championing Diversity, Inclusion and Community Strength

Helen’s Presidency consistently elevated the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the technology profession.

She used her platform to spotlight women in STEM, strengthening ACS’s credibility and visibility among one of the most underrepresented groups in the workforce.

Throughout her Presidency, she elevated the voices and achievements of women in tech, from opening the iSTEM Career Fair in Victoria with a personal account of her own career journey, to participating in national policy roundtables focused on women in senior leadership, AI and data protection.

Helen set clear expectations for ACS to remain a future-focused organisation that actively champions gender equity — not as a side initiative, but as a core component of Australia’s digital capability.

Through her networks, she connected emerging and established female tech professionals and community groups with industry leaders, mentors and opportunities, reinforcing a more inclusive and empowered talent pipeline.

A significant moment was the TechDiversity 10-Year Anniversary Awards in August 2025, which ACS proudly supported for the tenth consecutive year. With more than 600 attendees representing 43 nations, 57 cultural groups and 96 languages, participating in the event underscored Helen’s belief that innovation thrives where diversity is celebrated.

Guiding ACS Through Renewal and Good Governance

Helen’s term coincided with a period of organisational evolution. She contributed to strengthening ACS’s financial stability and governance while supporting ongoing constitutional review work to modernise the Society’s structure and align it with member expectations.

She reinvigorated a member-focused approach during significant organisational transformation, ensuring trust, transparency and the member experience remained central to ACS’s direction.

Helen said, “Over the past two years, we have lifted ACS’s organisational maturity in meaningful and lasting ways. Together, we built a stronger foundation for governance, transparency, and professional standards. These are the hallmarks of a trusted professional association.”

A defining example was the monthly President’s Update newsletter, which became a clear signal of her commitment to openness. Its strong reception was reflected in the numbers: Helen’s President’s Update consistently achieved an open rate of over 60 per cent.

By consistently sharing insights into Management Committee decisions, strategic priorities, and organisational developments, Helen enabled members to better understand the direction of ACS, strengthening confidence in leadership and bringing members closer to the heart of decision-making.

“ACS exists for members, because of its members,” Helen always reminds us.

Clockwise left to right: ACS President 2026-27 Beau Tydd with Helen McHugh; Helen McHugh with Executive Support to the ACS President Amie Cossens; ACS CEO Josh Griggs with Helen McHugh.

A Leader Defined by Integrity and Purpose

Helen led with calm authority, thoughtful decision-making, and a genuine commitment to ACS members and volunteers. Her ability to unite diverse perspectives, her respect for the profession’s history, and her belief in lifelong learning shaped the culture of ACS during her tenure.

She fostered collaboration, encouraged respectful debate, and upheld ACS’s role as a champion of public-interest technology leadership.

A Legacy of Impact

As Helen McHugh completes her Presidency, ACS acknowledges a leader who strengthened its national profile, expanded its policy influence, deepened relationships across government and industry, and championed initiatives that will shape Australia’s digital capability for years to come.

Her support for ACS Digital Pulse, her advocacy on emerging technologies and her unwavering commitment to community have ensured ACS remains at the forefront of Australia’s digital transformation agenda.

On behalf of the ACS community, we thank Helen for her dedication, leadership, and exceptional service to the ICT profession. Her legacy will continue to guide ACS long into the future.