Indigenous Australian alumni

19 November, 2024

Gary Allen is to Co-Founder and Emeritus Advisor for Enabled.vip. Gary has lived experience of disability as an individual with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and in this article discusses strategies how to support a more inclusive workplace.

1 November, 2024

Chris Fechner has seen and shaped the evolution of technology through a successful digital career marked by the pursuit of innovation, efficiency, and public service advancements. His timeless tips can help navigate the rapid changes of the digital age an

31 October, 2024

Tom Allen is the founder of Impact Boom and the Business for Good Network, and he shares his inspiring passion for supporting purpose-driven businesses. Tom highlights the importance of purpose, resilience, and collaboration for sustained success.

30 October, 2024

QUT alumnus, Chiou See Anderson, shares her journey of creating meaningful change through bold initiatives. Drawing from her extensive experience as a business owner and advocate for women, she offers insights and advice on how to make an impact.

29 October, 2024

Hayley Fox is a QUT Law (Honours) alumnus and a criminal lawyer for Legal Aid Queensland. She is passionate about justice and serves communities across North Queensland. Hayley shares her journey, challenges and advice for impact-driven alumni.

29 October, 2024

Queensland Government Architect Leah Lang shares insights on impactful design leadership through creativity, collaboration, and embracing challenges.

12 October, 2024

James is Australia’s first blind Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES). We sit down with James to chat about his business, the co-founding of the HELP initiative and what he would like to achieve in the future.

14 October, 2024

Emily’s journey is the antithesis of linear – migrating from Malaysia to study and graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering to then competing on the 2014 season of Masterchef Australia. This candid Q&A reveals what after the cameras stopped filming.

9 October, 2024

As Co-Founder and CEO of Fable Food Co, Michael Fox is transforming the food industry with plant-based meat alternatives from mushrooms. He shares the inspiration behind Fable, the challenges of sustainable food, and his vision for the future.

8 October, 2024

How do women entrepreneurs thrive in uncertain times? Dr Charmaine Glavas' research highlights the crucial role of self efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities.

8 October, 2024

During the 2020 lockdowns, like many of us, Alexander Bayliss found himself at home, exploring his hobbies. For Alex, this meant immersing himself in online gaming. Then, he had a lightbulb moment: why not create his own board game?

4 October, 2024

Julie & Maurice highlight the importance of sustainability and the joy of teaching handmade skills in an increasingly digital world.

2 October, 2024

Andy reflects on the brand's inspiration, his creative background, and how living in Bangkok supports the company's growth in Southeast Asia.

30 September, 2024

12 years ago Lauren Roe launched I Love Linen - a brand offering bedding, living and fashion lines. We chat about her business and lessons learned.

23 September, 2024

Alyssa Koenen is a former athlete and the Founder of Lyss Koenen Performance Nutrition. The QUT Alumni Team sat down with Alyssa to chat about her career, Nutritionists versus Dieticians and what it’s like to pursue wellness in the digital age.

4 September, 2024

Jessica King, QUT alumus and Brand Manager for Stefan Hair, shares insights on maintaining the brand's 60-year legacy in the beauty industry. She discusses the role of education and innovation in brand success, and offers advice for staying competitive.

4 September, 2024

In this Q&A, global marketing leader and QUT alumnus, Luke Sherwin, shares his expert views on the enduring relevance of company websites, the essential skill of storytelling, and his passion for lifelong learning.

4 September, 2024

QUT alumnus, Zoe Hayes has excelled in brand management across diverse industries, earning multiple awards for her work. She's worked for big brands like Google, Bonds and Berlei and she gave some pertinent insights for transforming a brand.

4 September, 2024

Brand leadership has evolved, with technology and innovation at its core. Companies must now know their brand DNA and leverage data to become brand leaders. QUT Alumnus, Rahul Garg, works for Google and shares his top tips for building an amazing brand.

14 August, 2024

Travis Auld, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, captivated our QUT BLF audience with his journey from small-town Tatura to the helm of motorsport. He shared insights on seizing opportunities and the ever-evolving nature of success.

11 August, 2024

Dr Belinda Burns, Chief Creative Officer at Screen Queensland, shares her career journey, the challenges she's faced along the way, and her insights on breaking into the industry

8 August, 2024

Since graduating with a Bachelor of Creative Industries, Amber Lowther has navigated a dynamic career journey—from magazines to radio. Today, she is the Founder of PLAY Media and the Host of the Fashion Avenue podcast.

7 August, 2024

The QUT Alumni team recently hosted an Alumni Hub at Gardens Point campus for Open Day 2024. Alumni Engagement Manager, Fiona Beavis, reflects on the event's success and the joys of reconnecting with our alumni community.

31 July, 2024

John McGeachin has every kid's dream job—for real life! He shares his experience in the television industry, his episode-writing process, and how he got involved with everyone’s favourite blue heeler family.

6 August, 2024

From student to entrepreneur, Melizza Jaune Tanpoco launched Jaune Pearls while completing her degree. Learn about her remarkable journey and the creation of her fine jewellery brand in this Q&A.

4 July, 2024

Catherine Clark, former CEO of Paralympics Australia and QUT alumnus, reflects on her journey with the Paralympic Movement and the team's motto of IMAGINE which will be carried with our 170 athletes as they compete in Paris 2024.

1 July, 2024

Sport is a powerful global force and Prof Sarah Kelly OAM, Head of QUT’s Graduate School of Business shares more about QUT’s new FutureSport 360 short course on Sports Management that will equip students with valuable knowledge and networks.

3 July, 2024

Bronwen Knox, is a QUT alumnus and Deputy Chief de Mission for Australia’s Paris 2024 Olympic team. Bronwen shared her inspiring career journey, insights into the sports industry, and her commitment to advancing integrity and equality for all athletes.

3 July, 2024

Explore the exciting careers of QUT alumni Kavita Gonsalves and Alex Ward, Design Leads at Populous. Their work in sports venue architecture reflects passion, innovation, and sustainability. Discover more about their favourite projects and future visions.

27 June, 2024

Former Matilda’s star, Elissia Carnavas, has always been driven by her love of sport and helping others. Her inspiring story shows the power of resilience and reinvention, when an injury took her off the field and onto QUT campus to forge a new career.

14 June, 2024

Jessica Holmes' job is sweeter than most. After nearly a decade as a digital content producer, she launched her baking blog, Sweetest Menu, in 2014. Now a six-figure business, Jess shares how she grew her side hustle into a full-time career.

13 June, 2024

As CEO of the First Nations Treaty Institute, Carly Jia leads the preparation and support of First Nations peoples in Queensland to take their place at the table in treaty negotiations. A QUT Education alumnus, Carly shares her thoughts and experiences.

12 June, 2024

David is a proud Wakka Wakka man from Central Queensland who founded Gilimbaa in 2008 – a full-service creative agency known for their innovative promotion of indigenous culture. In this Q&A he chats about his career and the power of connection.

11 June, 2024

Josh Loyd, a Wajarri yamaji man from Western Australia and a civil engineer, applies his Indigenous knowledge to foster Aboriginal co-design and engagement in urban development. Here, Josh shares more about his work in Country-centred co-design.

10 June, 2024

Dr Alethea Beetson is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program Lead at Spotify and the Creative Director of Blak Social. A QUT Doctor of Creative Industries alumnus, Alethea shares her thoughts on the Indigenous music industry.

3 June, 2024

Laz McCormick, a business analyst turned architect and design strategist, shares her journey in this Q&A. Discover the joys of running her own business and how she integrates Indigenous knowledge into her work.

31 May, 2024

Wayne is a proud Birri and Guugu Yumidhirr man who left a remarkable career in the public service to found Carbon Creative. In this Q&A, Wayne chats about his career in the creative industries and his perspectives as an Indigenous Australian.

1 May, 2024

In a world where our finite resources are becoming endangered and the need for sustainable solutions is pressing, Matt Davis, CEO of Salvos Stores and a QUT alumnus, challenges us to reimagine our approach to consumption and resource management.

1 May, 2024

Simon Jackson is the Head of Sustainability at Compass Group Australia, one of the country’s largest food and support service companies. Drawing from his vast experience, he delves into sustainability and circularity in corporate landscapes.

30 April, 2024

Sally Higgins is no stranger to hard work, balancing her days working for the Nous Group with co-managing a mixed use farm. In this article, we ask about Sally's Nuffield Scholarship research and how she manages her priorities.

30 April, 2024

Dr Omniya el Baghdadi is a seasoned sustainability consultant with over 13 years of experience in research and consultancy in Australia and Egypt. In this Q&A Omniya discusses the parallels between the two countries.

24 April, 2024

As CEO of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Robyn leads the state’s prevention agency to turn the tide on rates of obesity and chronic disease. A QUT nutrition and dietetics alumnus, she shares her thoughts on shaping the future of a healthy Queensland.

11 April, 2024

QUT alumnus, Sam Carson, delves into Acai Brothers - the successful superfood business he co-founded with long-time friend, and fellow alumnus, Ben Day.

4 April, 2024

In this Q&A, Phoebe Parsons, shares her journey from studying a Bachelor of Journalism at QUT to building a podcasting empire with her ever-popular FIT(ish) podcast which helps listeners navigate the landscape of health and fitness.

1 April, 2024

Sumit spent 15 years coordinating wellbeing programs with at-risk and migrant communities before establishing Reframe Wellbeing. In this article Sumit chats about his career and explores some of the latest wellbeing insights.

26 March, 2024

In this Q&A, Genevieve Deaconos, elaborates on her transition from corporate marketing to her dream job at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and the profound benefits of connecting with nature for individual and generational wellbeing.

19 March, 2024

The phenomenon of burnout has gained significant attention in recent years, especially since COVID. But while the pandemic is now over, burnout is on the increase. QUT alumnus and psychologist, Margie Ireland, shares her tips for beating the burnout.

6 March, 2024

QUT alumnus and The Star's CEO,  Jessica Mellor, reflects on her experience among Taylor Swift concert-goers. She was struck by more than infectious melodies but by the indelible mark of Swift's entrepreneurial prowess and culture-shaping influence.

6 March, 2024

Join us for an insightful conversation with QUT alumnus, Chloe Turrell - an award-winning Senior Biomedical Engineer who is working on groundbreaking solutions to current healthcare issues.

27 February, 2024

Through the lens of neuroscience, Professor Selena Bartlett explains how our daily choices influence our long-term brain health, from the first thing we do in the morning to the habits that shape our days.

16 February, 2024

Alumnus, Jacob Livermore, shares his unique journey from architectural graduate to accomplished location scout for television productions including 'Boy Swallows Universe' and 'The Family Law'.

8 February, 2024

As a QUT eMBA alumnus, Deborah Henderson brings her wealth of knowledge and ethical acumen as guest editor of the February 2024 edition of the Alumni newsletter. Deborah delves into navigating the profound impact (and risks of AI into 2024 and beyond.

7 February, 2024

In this Q&A with QUT Alumnus, Riva Mendoza, we hear about her journey at QUT shaped, by growth and exploration, leading to an exciting career in frontend development at Canva.

7 February, 2024

QUT alumnus, Dr. Dakshi Kapugama Geeganage, delves into the realm of government procurement, unravelling the profound impact of AI and ML on various dimensions within this crucial sector.

2 February, 2024

In this insightful article, QUT alumnus and Cturtle founder, Shane Dillon, sheds light on the contrasting approaches the USA and China have adopted in the use of AI in education and the implications of these global trends for Australia.

2 February, 2024

From art school to a QUT MBA, artist Sarah Daly works at the intersection of AI and artistic practice. Balancing human creativity with AI-generated content, Sarah envisions a collaborative future in art creation.

1 January, 2021

Amidst the bustling cultural hub of Brisbane, Tom Yaxley is a beacon of inspiration for aspiring actors. Tom shares the challenges and triumphs of his theatrical career as he continues to shine on the global stage.

2 February, 2024

In our Q&A with alumnus Paige Wanckel, we dive into the world of human capital and working overseas! She offers advice for fellow alumni looking to do the same and discusses emerging trends in human capital, such as skills-based hiring and AI integration.

29 November, 2023

Queensland is known for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity but we face a critical point in history for enacting long-term environmental sustainability. We must seize the opportunity to make important changes today.

15 November, 2023

Casey is still coming off the high from being one of four Australian match officials selected for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup but her success hasn’t been overnight – it’s been a 20 year journey.

9 November, 2023

Deanna Hood has worked on some incredible, out of this world (literally) robotics projects in her career. She shares some of the exciting projects she’s worked on and those that are yet to be ticked off her bucket list!

18 October, 2023

QUT Alumnus, Michael Davie, is the new BYU basketball strength coach, having spent eight years with the Milwaukee Bucks where he was part of the team when they won the NBA Championship in 2021. Michael shared his insights with future and current alumni.

28 September, 2023

Jacob is a proud descendant of the Gunditjamara and Ngarrindjeri mobs of South West Victoria and South East South Australia and is passionate about taking the family catering business all the way to Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

14 September, 2023

Learn about team nurturing, cross-cultural collaboration, adaptive sales strategies, and the ever-evolving world of open-source innovation.

13 September, 2023

David's journey is nothing short of exceptional. His roots in elite sports, particularly professional soccer, have helped forge a relentless pursuit of excellence that now propels his accomplishments in jewelry design and mechanical engineering.

24 August, 2023

Maxwell has climbed the corporate ladder and quit, made mistakes, built a seven-figure coaching business and now in his latest iteration become a wine and whiskey investor. Here he chats about his career, business coaching and the entrepreneurial mindset.

16 August, 2023

Daniel is a proud Wiradjuri man, dancer, choreographer, teacher and Artistic Director at the Australian Dance Theatre. Daniel shares his career journey, inspiration and the impact of listening and acknowledging a deeply uncomfortable history.

11 August, 2023

Renee started her career as a Food Scientist before returning to university to complete a Master of Business in Marketing. She has worked with incredible brands including Clovely Estate Winery, Dr. Oetker Queen Fine Foods and Hive + Wellness Australia.

9 August, 2023

Natasha Gribble is currently the Senior Marketing Manager for Westfield Chermside - the largest Westfield destination in Australia. She shares more about her journey after QUT and some of her career-defining moments with us.

8 August, 2023

Fuelled by her early experiences in the Land Court and Aboriginal Land Tribunals, Saskia Vanderbent is passionate about economic justice and sustainable energy security. She chats to us about her inspiration and guide on attracting sustainable investment.

3 August, 2023

Dr. Fiona Crawford delves into her diverse expertise and groundbreaking research that spans social and environmental issues, with a particular focus on the transformative potential of women’s football.

2 June, 2022

Benjamin oversees the Meta gaming business across Japan and South APAC and helps game developers and publishers find success with their games. We caught up with him to find out where his career has taken him since graduating from QUT.

29 July, 2022

James Tilbury has seen sustainability shift from a buzzword used in niche corners of the corporate world to an essential business focus. For over 10 years he’s been helping climate tech companies of all shapes and sizes transition to low-carbon solutions.

31 August, 2022

A qualified Urban Planner and equipped with an MBA, Andrew plays a key advisory role in repurposing and reactivating spaces. We caught up with Andrew to find out more about his entrepreneurial journey and the impact it is having on local communities.

31 October, 2022

Having always had an interest in international development, it is no surprise that Economist, David Blackman is responding to the United Nation’s (UN) call to action to protect the environment and to end poverty.

8 November, 2022

As the Sustainable Practices Manager for FRANKiE4, Izzie drives the environmental, social, and governance agenda for this iconic footwear brand. We chatted with Izzie to find out more about where her career has taken her since graduating from QUT.

6 April, 2022

Some of Bonnie's happiest childhood memories were soldering circuit boards and building mechanical lego machines with her father. This fostered a great curiosity and excitement about emerging technologies – something she's held onto throughout her career.

7 October, 2022

Nick's experience solving customer problems across different industries has helped him excel as a senior consultant specialising in customer strategy and experience design at Deloitte Digital, whilst flourishing as a freelance photographer.

16 October, 2022

Duncan shares how he has used the foundations of his teaching degree and his ability to harness relationships to drive innovation, opportunities and real impact for his people, communities and the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

14 November, 2022

Tony has decades of experience navigating the specific challenges involved in green architecture, which considers not only the climate impact of architecture and related disciplines, but also how architecture affects humans and the natural environment.

5 October, 2022

Ari Popper, founder and CEO of SciFutures, uses sci-fi storytelling, graphic novels, motion comics, prototyping, live action video and virtual reality to challenge companies to accelerate innovation and dream up their preferred future state now.

22 November, 2022

Mona Ryder's career as an artist spans across four decades. She’s exhibited her works widely and executed several major public art commissions and projects. Mona talks about what goes into an exhibition and what she loves most about her work.

15 December, 2022

PhD graduate Dr Naomi Paxton is at the forefront of medical engineering. Naomi uses 3D printing to create patient-specific anatomical models to assist in surgical planning and fabricate tissue engineered implants that regrow damaged or diseased tissues.

1 September, 2022

Co-Founder and CEO of RealAR, Dr Daniel Swan sits down with the QUT Alumni team to share insights from his career journey and advice for fellow entrepreneurs on how to succeed in the industry.

12 May, 2023

Dr Bosibori Bett is on a quest to achieve regional biosecurity by strengthening capacity to detect pests and diseases in the Southeast Asian nations. She tells us about her professional journey and career highlights.

31 August, 2022

Having worked as freelance content creators for a few years, Genevieve Larin and Tony Walsh decided that the next natural step in their professional development was to form their own company - thus, Stranger Films was born.

6 October, 2022

QUT alumnus, Rhianna Ferguson, has her dream job building rockets as Principal Avionics Engineer at Gilmour Space. She talks about her career in avionics engineering, and her hopes for the future of Australia’s space industry.

28 November, 2022

As a Chief Future Officer at Wiley, Brett Wiskar works with businesses to drive efficiencies so they remain ahead of the curve for decades to come. He shares his take on emerging trends and disruptive business models.

7 February, 2023

Education and design thinking CEO, speaker and author Rashan is most fulfilled when he is equipping others to level up and move toward their desired future. He discusses the future of work and creating your own definition of success.

7 February, 2023

Serial tech entrepreneur, Chris Milligan, explains how success is due largely in part to a growth mindset and the power of perspective. He discusses new trends in HR, employment, and shares insights on how to continuously build on previous successes.

2 March, 2023

Pairing her gut instinct with facts to make significant decisions, CEO and Managing Director of Queensland Sheet and Steel, Cecily McGuckin, brings a fresh approach to leadership and workplace culture in the steel industry.

4 April, 2023

As CEO and Artistic Director of Odyssey Dance Theatre Ltd, Danny Tan has honed his creative practice and delivered arts excellence on an international stage. He discusses emerging trends in dance and what continues to drive his need to innovate.

4 April, 2023

Having worked in the film and production industry for over 25 years, Tracey shares her perspective on industry trends, unique opportunities for Australian production companies, tips for pitching stories, and how to land a gig overseas as a producer.

4 April, 2023

Animator, business owner and all-round funny guy, James Bennett the founder of Shomen Productions, outlines the importance for animators to understand the greater narrative being told through their work.

9 May, 2023

Ipul was partially paralysed by polio as an infant and would use her left hand to support her leg to walk. As a disability advocate, she shares what individuals without a disability can do to be a better ally to the community.

10 May, 2023

Danae is the Managing Director of AXIS Dance Company, one of America's most acclaimed ensembles of disabled, non-disabled, and neurodiverse performers. She shares her journey and how organisations can create more accessible and inclusive workplaces.

10 May, 2023

Lisa has taught sign language, her ‘home’ language, to over 50,000 students online. By increasing the number of people who learn sign language, she is helping make society more inclusive and making a difference in the deaf community.

5 June, 2023

Frank Chen swapped a successful consultancy career for a small, shared space in China to work in the business of trash. He shares his motivation and how he grew a 3 person team to an innovative, award-winning company with a presence in 5 countries.

11 July, 2023

AFLW player, Ally Anderson, is a proud Gangulu/Waka Waka woman carving out an impressive sporting career. She shares her career journey to date and how things are shaping up as she heads into her eighth season with the Brisbane Lions.

30 June, 2023

Michelle has spent nearly 20 years in the public sector driving key health and aged care policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She chats about her career, inspiration and moving toward a more just and reconciled country.