The Innovation Community Coordinator has built a career supporting creative communities, innovators and founders – a path that started with her own experience as a dancer.
Hayley Maddox works with UNSW Launch as the Innovation Community Coordinator. The Canberra-based collaborative hub aims to support innovators working in defence and security by bringing together expertise and skills from the University, industry and government.
In her role, Hayley supports the Launch community, finding collaboration opportunities, building relationships with new and existing partners, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation skill development with Founders, and curating events.
“It's really exciting to be able to bring different groups of people together to share their expertise, but the real value is the connections and opportunities that grow unexpectedly out of those interactions,” she says.
Building community
Born and raised in Canberra, Hayley first stepped into community engagement in a role with community organisation Kulture Break, where she was a programs and events manager. Her connection with the organisation began in childhood, when she first discovered dancing at 12.
“A couple of my friends were taking dance classes and I thought, ‘Oh, that'd be cool.’ I went along and just loved it.
“Kulture Break is all about providing a place of belonging and creative expression. They provide some cool opportunities for kids to perform, and they’d often bring international dancers in to do workshops or create a performance together.
“That’s where my passion for working with people and building community was born. As a teenager, having a place to belong with a group of people I could connect with was so important – it’s so vital in every stage of your life.”
Hayley performing with Kulture Break.
Hayley trained and performed with Kulture Break for many years, including a tour to the US where she performed at Disneyland in Los Angeles.
The first stop on the tour was New York which Hayley says was an eye-opening experience after a childhood spent in Canberra.
“The most impactful part of the trip for me was staying with people in their neighbourhood in New York, seeing what life looked like for them and sharing their experiences.”
Hayley went on to teach dance at Kulture Break and manage their programs and events.
“I used to go into primary schools to teach dance classes. There are always a few mischievous or cheeky kids and those are the ones I loved teaching the most. It’s pretty special to see through the mischief, to build rapport with the kids, and then watch them perform on stage in front of their friends and family after working so hard all term.”
Family time and finding balance
Hayley is a single parent to four kids, aged between seven and 13.
“It’s pretty intense, but it’s also a driver for me wanting to be my best,” she says.
“It’s really important to me to show my kids, especially my girls, that you can have a life outside motherhood. I’ve built a great career for myself and a life for them as well.”
Hayley enjoying time with her family outdoors.
Hayley says her manager’s support and the University’s approach to work-life balance helps her life run smoothly. Her dad is a key part of her wider support network.
“He’s an absolute saint. He’s retired now, but I joke that his full-time job is helping me with the kids. He helps a lot with school pickups and drop-offs and any time I need a breather.”
Hayley was a young mum and says having her first child was a defining experience.
“I love asking people, ‘What are the pivotal times in your life? Those forks in the road?”
“The biggest one for me was when I had my first daughter. It changed my perspective on myself, and on a lot of relationships. Before her, I was very focused on giving and giving and giving, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but I think I had a little less focus on what I needed to be able to show up in the way I wanted to.
“Having her made me think about my own experiences and opportunities. Is this situation something that I would be proud of my daughter for? Would I feel like it’s a good thing for her? If the answer isn’t a resounding ‘yes’, then that’s probably something I want to spend a bit more time thinking about for myself as well.”
Hayley loves spending time with her “very intense, high-energy” kids exploring and collecting little treasures, building LEGO and embracing their emerging passions.
“Having children made things magical again. Even just driving down the road and seeing cows is exciting because you’re seeing the world through these new eyes again.”
Beyond work and her home life, Hayley also spends time volunteering at events run by friends she met through Canberra-based online radio station TrustFM, which focuses on the local underground music scene.
“It’s another one of those really great communities,” she says.
“People think Canberra is boring and all public servants, but it’s not. It’s been incredible to find this community of people who enjoy music and dancing. I’ve had a deep connection with music throughout my life and it’s always struck me how music seems to have the power to bring people together.”
What’s something about you that might surprise your colleagues?
I’m actually a bit of an introvert! Public speaking hasn’t always come naturally – I’ve pushed myself to get more comfortable with it
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Be gentle with yourself, it’s your first time living this life.
What makes you happy?
My cats and watching my loved ones light up when they talk about or get to do the things they’re passionate about. How lucky am I to have some really special people in my world!
What day in your life would you like to relive?
Christmas Eve 2025 – my sister, my kids and I went to Movie World then spent time with our dad and grandparents. Hot tip: the rollercoaster lines were very short
What’s the best thing you’ve watched in the past year?
The documentary Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly.
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