McLoughlin graduated from the
Australian National University with a BA (1984) and LLB (1986). Her honours thesis was titled "Recent developments in corporate financing: Redeemable preference shares and convertible notes". On graduation McLoughlin began her career working for law firm Allen Allen and Hemsley from 1987 to 1992, moving to Optus Communications in 1993 as their corporate counsel. From there she became general manager of the Office of the CEO at
AMP Limited from 1997 to 2004. She then joined Insurance Australia and later Westpac, in their insurance arm. McLoughlin joined the board of
Suncorp Group in 2015 and has been chairman of Suncorp Group since 2018; she was appointed Chairman of
Aware Super in August 2024. McLoughlin was a member of the board of
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation from 2009 to 2013. McLoughlin is one of the co-founders and chairman of the Minerva Network, a not-for-profit enterprise that provides business mentoring, development programs, networking opportunities and scholarships for female athletes. She was Chairman and Director Venues NSW and Chairman of
Destination NSW. Other board directorships include
nib Group, the
McGrath Foundation, and
The Smith Family. McLoughlin was appointed the fourth Chancellor of the University of Wollongong, taking over the role from
Jillian Broadbent in 2020 and completed her term in 2024, handing over to Michael Still. McLoughlin was appointed a
Member of the Order of Australia in the
2021 Queen's Birthday Honours for her "significant service to business, to the not-for-profit sector, and to women". == References ==