Who’s Who in 2022, Inspiring People: Chris McMillan

In 2022, Queensland Cancer Council Chief Executive Officer Chris McMillan urged women of all ages to start conversations with their friends and family about ovarian cancer, which she said might just save your life.

To mark Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in February, Chris said this was the time to start a conversation with your grandmother, mother, daughter, aunty, niece, best friend or co-worker.

She hopes if more women are aware of the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer, the earlier the disease can be detected.

Sadly, about 1300 women are diagnosed across the country each year.

About Chris McMillan

Chris McMillan served as the Chief Executive Officer at the Queensland Cancer Council for more than five years.

During that time, she played an important role in advocating for the Cancer Council and relaying important health information that was vital to protecting the lives of Queenslanders.

Before she finished up her role in April 2022, Chris spoke with Moreton Daily for a story about Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, which is held every year in February.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness and funds into medical research for the disease, especially since when around 1300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer across Australia each year.

Chris explained how ovarian cancer was one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in Australian women and told women what symptoms they need to look out for.

“It is the ninth most common cancer in Australian women, and the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths in Australian women,” Chris said at the time.

“Of the gynaecological cancers (cervix, ovaries, uterus, vagina and vulva), ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death.”

Throughout her professional career, Chris worked in the health sector for more than 10 years before moving into business and management.

She stepped into her first Chief Executive Officer role in 1997 at Australian Business Learning, where she was instrumental in establishing the Learning and HR Consulting division of the organisation.

Chris’ career path has also seen her become the General Manager of Knowledge, Learning and Development at The Securities Institute of Australia; General Manager of Financial Planning Association; Chief Executive Officer of Variety, the Children’s Charity; Chief Executive Officer at the Fundraising Institute Australia; and the General Manager in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory for The Leukaemia Foundation of Australia.

Chris has now stepped into a new role at Ozcare where she is current Director.