Willis, a WTW company, has appointed Leah Mooney (pictured) to head its cyber, technology, and privacy risk consulting operations across the Pacific region.
The move reflects the firm’s strategic response to increasing client demand for advisory services related to cyber threats, regulatory compliance, and emerging technologies.
In her new capacity as Pacific consulting leader, Mooney will be responsible for driving WTW’s advisory capabilities across Australia, New Zealand, and neighbouring markets.
Mooney’s background spans over 20 years in legal and risk-focused roles, covering cyber breach response, infrastructure resilience, legal disputes, and governance involving AI and data privacy.
She has advised organisations across the corporate, government, and non-profit sectors and worked on major insurance claims across cyber, D&O liability, professional indemnity, and general coverages.
She also holds committee positions with the Australian Computer Law Society and Queensland Law Society, contributing to policy development on digital regulation.
“I am looking forward to being part of the expert advisory team at WTW, with its well-earned reputation for client service, dedication, and fit-for-purpose outcomes,” Mooney said.
Ben Di Marco, WTW’s cyber and technology industry leader, said Mooney’s addition would provide clients with broader expertise in addressing cyber risks that intersect with legal, regulatory, and insurance frameworks.
“Leah is an outstanding acquisition for Willis. Her expert knowledge will help our clients better navigate their complex digital and emerging risks. She will also add to our team’s technical excellence, as Leah is known across the industry for her ability to provide practical advice that crosses insurance, risk management, legal risks, and stakeholder obligations,” he said.
Jill Stewart, head of financial and executive risks Pacific, described Mooney’s appointment as an investment in the firm’s ability to meet growing demand for risk advisory services.
“We are excited that Leah is joining our team. Leah is a true market leader, and her addition to our business will strengthen our ability to provide clients with market-leading risk services,” she said.
Before joining WTW, Mooney held leadership roles at a global consulting firm, an international legal practice, and an Australian university. She also worked with a national provider of cyber incident support and identity theft remediation services.
Mooney’s appointment coincides with an uptick in cyberattacks across the Asia-Pacific region.
Research from Rubrik Zero Labs showed 90% of surveyed global organisations experienced at least one successful attack in 2024, with nearly one in five reporting more than 24 incidents in a single year.
The study, “The State of Data Security in 2025,” identified the most common breach types as data exposures (30%), malware incidents (29%), and phishing campaigns (28%). Nearly one-third of respondents said security events led to leadership changes, while 40% increased cyber budgets in response.
In a separate analysis by Verizon Business, system intrusions accounted for 80% of confirmed data breaches in Asia-Pacific, doubling from 38% the previous year. Malware was involved in 83% of these incidents, and ransomware was present in over half of them.
