Trudy McGowan OAM is the State Director, Queensland State Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, she took up the position in April 2025.

Ms McGowan is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to taking up her role in Queensland, she was Assistant Secretary of the Personnel Security, Assessments and Culture Branch, responsible for national security clearances, cultural reform, and integrity policy.

Ms McGowan has served in a range of diplomatic roles overseas, including as Head of the Consular Section at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok and as Regional Consul in Dubai, with responsibility for the Middle East and North Africa. She has led Australia’s response to complex international crises, including major evacuations and high-profile consular cases, and has worked closely with defence and law enforcement partners across a range of critical incidents.

Ms McGowan was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of her service to Australians overseas.

She holds degrees from the Northern Territory University and the University of New England and has undertaken executive leadership training at the Harvard Kennedy School.