Nominations are closed
The annual Alumni Awards serve as a platform to honour and showcase the diverse achievements of Griffith University graduates. The key dates for the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Awards are:
Nominations open - 14 February 2024
Nominations close - 5 April 2024 at 5 pm AEST
Selection panel review period - 15 April onwards
Academic group winners announced - 27 June 2024
Awards presentation and overall University winners announced - 26 September 2024
Meet the 2023 winners
2023 Overall winners
Shaping public policy
Jasmina Joldić PSM
Master of Public Administration/ Graduate Certificate in Policy Analysis
Jasmina Joldić’s incredible journey from war-torn Bosnia to the highest ranks of the Queensland public service shows the true power of education, determination and resilience.
Making a difference
Professor Bronwyn Harch
Bachelor of Science with Honours/Bachelor of Science
From a curious helper on the family farm to occupying the most senior state-level role in science alongside the Queensland Government, Professor Harch looks back on her time at Griffith University with pride and fondness.
Proud Guugu Yumithirr film-maker
Dean Gibson
Bachelor of Leisure Management/Bachelor of Digital Media Production
Dean uses his digital media production skills learnt at Griffith to create productions which tell Aboriginal stories on screens and break new ground on how First Nations people are presented to the broader public.
Influential astronaut
Dr Sultan AlNeyadi
Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Information Technology
Fulfilling his childhood dream, Dr Sultan AlNeyadi has just returned from a six-month-long mission orbiting the International Space Station (ISS Expedition 69) serving as flight engineer with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6.
Social entrepreneur
Raymond Siems
Bachelor of Engineering
Raymond Siems’ aptitude to identify problems and provide solutions for both businesses and community has taken him across the world as a successful software and, however unintentional, social entrepreneur.
Meet the 2022 Overall university winners
Outstanding Alumnus Award—Academic Group Winners 2023
Shaping public policy
Jasmina Joldić PSM
Master of Public Administration/ Graduate Certificate in Policy Analysis
Jasmina Joldić’s incredible journey from war-torn Bosnia to the highest ranks of the Queensland public service shows the true power of education, determination and resilience.
Health champion
Colleen Jen
Master of Critical Care Nursing/Graduate Certificate in Policy Analysis
Colleen’s impact in health has been far reaching. From direct patient contact as a frontline nurse to someone who is leading health care strategy, planning and research to improve outcomes for workers and patients alike.
Making a difference
Professor Bronwyn Harch
Bachelor of Science with Honours/Bachelor of Science
From a curious helper on the family farm to occupying the most senior state-level role in science alongside the Queensland Government, Professor Harch looks back on her time at Griffith University with pride and fondness.
Sparking creativity
Lachlan Pendragon
Bachelor of Animation with Honours/Bachelor of Animation
It wasn’t an ostrich that told Griffith Film School alumnus Lachlan Pendragon his short stop-motion animation film had been nominated for an Academy Award, but fortunately he did believe it.
Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus Award—Academic Group Winners 2023
Amplifying First Nations impact
Brett Leavy
Bachelor of International Business/Diploma of Teaching
Brett’s company, Bilbie XR Labs is a First Nations social impact organisation empowering First Nations communities to record and preserve the traditional knowledge and connection of First Nations people to their country.
Closing the gap
Lesley Richardson
Bachelor of Human Services
Lesley is closing the gap for Indigenous children in remote communities like Groote Eylant by improving education, health, and developmental outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children whilst incorporating identity and culture at the forefront.
Strengthening relationships
David Nalder
Bachelor of Science
David is working at Transport for NSW to help raise-up the voices of Indigenous communities and engage with non-Aboriginal people to help them understand different cultural perspectives to develop the understanding, confidence, and capability to do things better.
Proud Guugu Yumithirr film-maker
Dean Gibson
Bachelor of Leisure Management/Bachelor of Digital Media Production
Dean uses his digital media production skills learnt at Griffith to create productions which tell Aboriginal stories on screens and break new ground on how First Nations people are presented to the broader public.
Outstanding International Alumnus Award—Academic Group Winners 2023
Committed to excellence
Vũ Lê Tùng Giang
Master of Commerce
Giang has since embarked on a successful career empowering inspectors to protect Vietnam’s fast-growing banking system while humbly embodying the spirit of care in leading impactful community and charity projects.
Career development
Professor Dian Ratna Sawitri
Doctor of Philosophy
As a psychology researcher and influencer of children and their parents in making harmonious career decisions, Professor Sawitri is paving the way for international student career development by assisting youth in building their vocational identities.
Influential astronaut
Dr Sultan AlNeyadi
Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Information Technology
Fulfilling his childhood dream, Dr Sultan AlNeyadi has just returned from a six-month-long mission orbiting the International Space Station (ISS Expedition 69) serving as flight engineer with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6.
Theatre pioneer
Dr Chan, Yuk-Lan Phoebe
Doctor of Philosophy
Through drama education, Dr Chan, Yuk-Lan Phoebe had a vision that drama could open the minds of young people and awaken emotional intelligence.
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award—Academic Group Winners 2023
Crypto advocate
Josh Murchie
Bachelor of International Business/Bachelor of Commerce
Josh’s app Little Phil is influencing a new wave of feel-good philanthropy by inviting everyday donors to be part of the charity journey.
Inclusive leadership
Dr Dan Wilson
Bachelor of Biomedical Science with Honours
Dan’s fascination with science as a young boy led him to become an awarded medical doctor with the drive to lead and effect meaningful and sustainable change within medicine and the LGBTIQ+ community within regional areas.
Social entrepreneur
Raymond Siems
Bachelor of Engineering
Raymond Siems’ aptitude to identify problems and provide solutions for both businesses and community has taken him across the world as a successful software and, however unintentional, social entrepreneur.
Passionate storyteller
Emma Dean
Bachelor of Music
Emma is a singer-songwriter transforming her community through the power of music. Finding success over her 20-year career in Australia and overseas with positive reviews for her music, shows off-Broadway and at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.
Previous Alumni Awards winners
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