5 minutes with Kaela Lee

Meet Kaela Lee – Security Consulting Operations Manager at The Missing Link

At The Missing Link, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their expertise and dedication drive IT transformation for our clients, delivering real impact every day. But there’s more to them than just their roles! In this series, we take a closer look at the unique passions, experiences, and quirks that make our team who they are, both inside and outside of work.

From tennis courts to five-star hotel ballrooms to managing a portfolio of childcare centres, Kaela’s path into cyber security has been anything but typical, and is all the more impressive because of it. Today, as Security Consulting Operations Manager, she plays a key role in supporting a high-performing team of ethical hackers and penetration testers. Equal parts people-first and performance-driven, Kaela brings creativity, grit, and a love of learning to everything she does.

Let’s take five minutes to get to know her better.

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up and what were your hobbies as a kid?

I was born and raised in Sydney. As a kid, I absolutely loved sport, especially tennis (ask anyone!). I threw myself into anything creative whenever I wasn’t on the court.

What was your dream job growing up, and what was your first experience of working life?

Growing up, I dreamed of becoming either a tennis player or a teacher. My first job was, no surprise, a tennis coach. I ended up with a serious back injury that cut my tennis career short, but while recovering and unable to play or work, I rediscovered my creative side and started making things to sell at the local markets.

How did your career evolve into the world of IT and cyber security?

It’s been quite the journey! After high school, I continued coaching tennis while also working in events management, running everything from corporate amazing races to graffiti art challenges. From there, I moved into hospitality, working in banquet operations at one of Sydney’s five-star hotels. We’d transform entire ballrooms overnight for weddings, award nights, press conferences, you name it.

Eventually, I moved into early childhood education, first managing a childcare centre, then overseeing a portfolio of around 25 centres stretching from Bondi to Mona Vale. It was a rewarding and demanding role where I wore many hats - project management, compliance, safety, training, recruitment, and working closely with the Department of Education.

That experience laid the foundation for my next big step: joining The Missing Link.  

How did you get into your role at The Missing Link?

I was lucky enough to know our Chief Technical Security Officer, who had some insight into my previous role. When I felt I’d outgrown it, he encouraged me to apply for a position at The Missing Link that aligned with my transferrable skills. I took the leap, and I’ve never looked back.

I’m now the Security Consulting Operations Manager. What I love most is working with an incredibly skilled team of Penetration Testers and Ethical Hackers. The variety in my day, the constant learning, and the opportunity to support the team’s personal growth while seeing the real impact they have on our clients, is what makes this role so rewarding.

Looking back so far, are there any personal or professional achievements you’re particularly proud of? 

Making the leap into a completely new industry has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Transitioning into cyber security has challenged and inspired me in all the right ways. Every day, I get to work alongside incredibly intelligent and skilled people, supporting them as we deliver high-quality services to our clients.

One of my proudest professional moments so far is leading a major project focused on attack simulation, specifically around nation-state threat actors. But hands down, the most rewarding part is celebrating the shared wins with the team. Those joint successes are what it’s all about.

What inspires you, and where do you see yourself in a few years?

If I’m still doing what I love, then I’m exactly where I need to be. The cyber security landscape is constantly evolving, and that’s what makes it so exciting. I’m just grateful to be part of it. As long as I can make a difference, especially by supporting and championing cyber security talent, I’m all in.

Do you consider yourself a tech-freak and do you have a favourite gadget? 

I wouldn’t call myself a tech-freak. I still like to flick light switches the old-fashioned way! But I do have a competitive streak, so a few games on the Nintendo Switch definitely keep that alive. My must-have is my music app. I’m always listening to tunes! 

What do your weekends usually look like, and what keeps you inspired outside of work? 

Most weekends are spent adventuring with my son. We love to play sports, cook, listen to music, sing, dance, and draw, basically anything fun and creative. I’m also big on being outdoors, going for drives (with good tunes, of course), and just getting out to enjoy new experiences.

What is the best thing about living in your city? 

Sydney is just stunning- day or night. The beaches, the lifestyle... it’s a pretty special place to call home.