Helen Monaghan: International Women's Day 2019 Profile
Helen Monaghan has a 25-year career in project operations, 18 of which have been with The George Institute for Global Health. She heads the Academic Project Operations team, which provides crucial support for all research conducted at the Institute.
Helen first became interested in medical research while working at a cancer registry during university vacations. Although her degree was in environmental science, she began working in a clinical trials unit straight after graduation and has worked in the sector ever since.
“What inspires me is the opportunity to work with amazing people with a shared vision. What motivates me is being an integral part of driving forward the mission and goals of The George Institute.”
The work Helen and her team do in project operations directly contributes to the quality of research conducted at The George Institute, as well as how that quality can be translated into impact and implementation.
“Working in project operations in the medical research field allows you to use project management skills while being a part of some remarkable research that can potentially have a positive impact on the lives of many people around the globe.”
While proud of her achievements so far, she has set herself an ambitious future goal to achieve.
“I aim to refine and reform delivery of The George Institute’s research projects to ensure that we always (not just sometimes) have efficient, streamlined processes leading to research and data of the highest quality and integrity.”
For Helen, this year’s International Women’s Day theme, #Balanceforbetter, reminds her of the multiple competing priorities we all face in today’s world.
“Achieving balance can be a challenge and a juggle for everyone in this 24/7 interconnected work, where work, school, community and home life, and the roles within those environments, tend not to be as separate as they once were.”
“Allowing and enabling each person to play to their individual strengths and be supported with their weaknesses leads to better balance and mutual respect for us all.”
