Linda McCann

Linda has been acting as the Director of AGO since July 2021. Her substantive position is Assistant Secretary GEOINT Mission and Engagement, which she commenced in January 2020.

Linda has served for over twenty years with Australia’s Department of Defence in a range of intelligence, policy, governance and operational roles. Linda commenced her public service career in the Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) graduate program in 1999. She left ASD in 2002 to manage Defence’s business with Cabinet and the National Security Committee of Cabinet.

For over ten years of her public service career, Linda has worked in international policy and engagement roles. She has worked on Australia’s defence relationships with the countries of North, South and South East Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and the US. Linda also spent time as the International Policy Liaison Officer to the Australian Defence Force’s operational headquarters in Sydney (2005) and as Policy Advisor to Australia’s National Commander in Afghanistan (2006).

In 2012, Linda was selected to be a course member on the Australian Defence College’s senior staff course, and was pleased to have her papers on Japan’s energy security challenges and Australia’s Pacific patrol boat program published. Linda has also spent time leading Defence’s media operations, Defence’s information access capability and Defence strategic issues management.

Linda has degrees in Economics and Science from the Australian National University as well as Graduate Diplomas in Economics and Psychology. She has a Master of Arts (Strategic Studies) and has recently been awarded first class Honours in Science (Psychology).

Linda is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society and a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. She has been awarded a Deputy Secretary Commendation (2008), Army Service Medal (2007), the NATO Medal (2006) and a Secretary’s Commendation (2005).

Linda is married to Wayne, an Australian Army officer, and together they have two spirited girls, Ruby (13) and Mikaela (10).