Fortem Outreach Trailer tours South West WA
Creative storytelling, meaningful connection, and strong communication are central to Fortem’s work, and Megan Taylor helps bring all three together.
Megan joined Fortem Australia in August 2023 as a Community Engagement Coordinator in Townsville before stepping into her current role as Communications and Marketing Lead. Since then, she has helped shape and strengthen Fortem’s voice and identity, ensuring first responders and their families feel connected, informed, and supported through meaningful communication and engagement.
When asked what her role involves, Megan laughs that ‘some days it feels like I do everything!’ From managing the Fortem brand and social media channels to overseeing the website and designing posters, reports, and resources for Fortem and Thank a First Responder Day, her work spans strategy, creativity, design, storytelling, and national campaigns.
Long before joining Fortem, Megan built an impressive career as a news photographer with News.com, spending more than a decade capturing major moments and extraordinary experiences. Her work took her from fighter jets refuelling mid-air to movie sets and wildlife shoots, including photographing baby crocodiles hatching.
As a child, Megan always dreamed of becoming a photographer, a goal she was proud to achieve. While her ambition was to become a war photographer, she admits she may not have been tough enough for that path. ‘My talent lies in anticipating and capturing real moments,’ she says. Sports photography ultimately became her favourite space, allowing her to pursue her passion while still making it home at the end of the day.
After having her son, Megan’s career direction shifted. She discovered a passion for fitness and wellbeing, becoming a personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and nutritionist before moving into corporate wellbeing programs and eventually the not-for-profit sector.
Today, Megan combines all of those experiences, creativity, storytelling, wellbeing, and community connection, into her work at Fortem, helping bring important conversations, campaigns, and stories to life across the country.
More recently, we quizzed Megan on a few things outside of work.
When it comes to boosting her wellbeing, Megan enjoys slowing down and spending time outdoors. Ideally, that means reading a book by the pool or beach while on holidays, but more often, a simple walk somewhere near the water is enough to help her reset.
The best advice she’s received came through the way she was raised by her parents. ‘If you want something, go for it. Work hard, back yourself, and believe you can achieve it.’
It’s a mindset that continues to shape how she approaches opportunities, even the ones that feel daunting.
Looking ahead, Megan’s travel list is long. Sri Lanka and the Maldives are next, inspired by her children, while Morocco and climbing Machu Picchu with her husband are also firmly on the list.
And if she could tell her 15-year-old self one thing?
‘You are enough – don’t let what other people think of you change who you really are. Real friends love you just the way you are.’