Megaport Success Stories: Laura Maskrey

Get a glimpse into Executive Assistant Laura’s life as a Megaporter, and her advice on how to let go of perfection and just get it done.

As Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO, Laura’s role is fast-paced, varied, and full of rewarding challenges. Based at Megaport HQ in Brisbane, Australia, she started in 2017 as a Business Support Officer, before becoming EA just six months later; now, it’s hard to imagine the team without Laura. She shared her favorite Megaport memories with us, and why not doing it all is the key to success.

MP1: Give us a brief overview of your role.

Laura: As Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO, my role varies greatly, but if I had to sum it up, I’d say I’m an organizer, problem solver, mind reader, and trusted advisor.

MP1: How would you summarize what it’s like to work at Megaport?

Laura: Megaport is like riding a rollercoaster with a blindfold on, a Cosmo in your hand, and your best friend laughing beside you.

MP1: And what do you love most about working for Megaport?

Laura: The people! I came to Australia in 2015 and didn’t know a single person over here. At Megaport, I found my family. There’s such an array of personalities who all have so much to offer. It’s a melting pot of different characters, and I absolutely love that.

MP1: What do you love about your role?

Laura: It’s so varied, and Vinny gives me the freedom to shape it as I’d like. This has enabled me to get a deep understanding of many departments in the business and gain so much knowledge of what it takes to make a business run successfully.

MP1: How have you grown and developed as a Megaporter?

Laura: The Megaport culture supports this type of learning because you aren’t afraid to make mistakes—you just fail fast and move on. Everyone has always been so open, friendly, and willing to answer my questions (and I’ve had many!).

MP1: How has the nature of your work changed during your time here, and how have you managed that?

Laura: When I started as a Business Support Officer, I was organizing the Brisbane office; since then my role has changed a lot, and will continue to change as the business grows. I have loved that about my role because I’m always learning something new, and getting to know different people more deeply as my focus shifts to different parts of the business.

“Determination, hard work, and grit will get you most of the way, and you can correct everything else as you learn”

MP1: Talk us through the project you’ve worked on that you’re most proud of, and what your role was in this project.

Laura: The first thing that comes to mind is working on the capital raises we have done since I started with Megaport in 2017. I had no knowledge of working with investors or brokers before we did this, but after a crash course with Steve (Investor Relations Manager) and Vinny (CEO), I jumped in and helped plan some very successful investor roadshows, and built great relationships with our brokers and investors. I was proud to succeed in an area I wouldn’t consider a personal strength, and to contribute to such a huge milestone in the company’s history.

MP1: What do you see as the necessary skills, attitudes, and behaviors to be successful at Megaport?

Laura: Adaptability, ambition, and a good sense of humor.

MP1: What has been the most insightful piece of feedback you’ve received while working here? How has it helped you in your role?

Laura: When I first started as EA, I was so busy with different priorities and so determined to do the best job I could in all of them that I was worried I couldn’t keep on top of everything I had to do. Anna, our General Counsel, told me, “You’ll never get to the bottom of your list; you need to learn how to prioritize because you just can’t do it all.”

That advice has stuck with me both in my job and my personal life, and I’ve learnt to be easier on myself and accept that I don’t have to be able to spin every plate, all at the same time. And being stressed about it doesn’t help anyone anyway!

MP1: What has been a career highlight for you at Megaport?

Laura: There have been many highlights, but the greatest has to be winning the inaugural Cian Mateship Award with my beloved coworker, Tracy (Sales Operations Manager). This award is in memory of our colleague and friend, Cian, who passed away last year. It was designed to recognize the amazing attributes and values Cian embodied, in particular the value of mateship.

Mateship is an Australian cultural idiom that embodies equality, loyalty, and friendship. It’s about working together, supporting each other, and being there for your friends when they need you the most. To be recognized by my coworkers for these attributes alongside Tracy, who has the most beautiful soul, was deeply touching.

Cian was a vibrant, friendly, and caring person, and I’m so proud to have known him and to have won an award in his name.

MP1: What has been your best learning experience at Megaport, and how has that experience served you?

Laura: My best Megaport learning experience has been understanding that you don’t need to have everything perfect in order to get started. Determination, hard work, and grit will get you most of the way, and you can correct everything else as you learn. Just jump in and do it!

MP1: Technology has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. As a successful female in the field, how have you found Megaport’s approach to gender equality?

Laura: I’m very proud to work for a founder, CEO, and board that really “walk the walk” when it comes to gender equality in the workplace. I’ve been here to witness Bevan [Slattery, our founder] and Vinny hire some incredibly impressive women onto both our board and leadership team, and I’ve learnt a great deal from all of them. When you’re surrounded by women who are exceptional leaders, and who are implementing company-wide positive changes, you feel empowered to stand firmly on the other side of change and know your team will all stand with you.

MP1: What does innovation mean to you, and how have you been innovative at Megaport?

Laura: Innovation to me means always learning and always striving to improve. My whole career at Megaport has been innovative because I’m always asking myself, “How can we do this better?”

MP1: Do you have any advice for a new Megaporter?

Laura: My advice to a new Megaporter would be to ask questions—as many as you need. People are always willing to help. We all started knowing nothing at some point, so don’t be ashamed if you don’t know the answer. If you’ve never experienced something, how can you know?

MP1: And finally, what are you most excited about regarding your future at Megaport?

Laura: This company is growing so rapidly, opportunities will open up that I can’t even predict yet. It’s exciting to know there’s so much learning ahead of us!

Interested in a career at Megaport? Take a look at our open roles here.