2026 Winner: Young Alumnus Award, Sciences
Bachelor of Engineering, 2014
Brodie Chan is Head of Assets at Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd and a Chartered Engineer with extensive experience in civil and maritime infrastructure. Recognised for his leadership early in his career, he combines strategic asset stewardship with significant contributions to the engineering profession, industry development, and community service.
What inspired you to pursue your current career path?
At school, the two subjects I enjoyed most were physical education and physics, which is probably an unusual combination. I loved being active and playing sport, but I was also fascinated by understanding how things worked and the logic behind the physical world.
Engineering stood out to me because it combined both interests. It gave me the opportunity to apply technical thinking and problem-solving while working on projects that have a tangible impact on the communities around us. I was drawn to the idea that the work you do as an engineer can be seen and experienced every day through the infrastructure people rely on.
Can you share a valuable lesson you learned from a setback or failure in your career?
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is the importance of balancing technical outcomes with commercial realities. As engineers, we are trained to identify risks and develop solutions that minimise or eliminate them wherever possible. Early in my career, I often viewed problems primarily through a technical lens and focused on delivering the technically optimal solution. So, if an asset had a problem, my instinct was to find a solution that fully addressed the issue and minimised risk as much as possible.
The biggest shift in my thinking came when I moved from consulting into an asset owner environment. Working closely with finance, operations, commercial and executive stakeholders exposed me to the broader considerations that influence decision-making. I came to appreciate that the technically optimal solution is not always the best overall solution. Fully addressing an issue can come with significant capital costs, operational disruption and opportunity costs that may outweigh the benefits, particularly when resources are finite and there are many competing priorities.
How do you see your industry evolving?
Two big themes I see shaping the future of the infrastructure and asset management industry are decarbonisation and productivity. The push to reduce emissions is already driving significant change in how we design, construct, operate and maintain infrastructure. We are seeing the adoption of new materials, technologies and design approaches that seek to reduce environmental impact while still delivering the performance and resilience our communities rely on. I expect this trend to continue accelerating as organisations, governments and industry work towards increasingly ambitious sustainability goals.
At the same time, I believe productivity is the industry's greatest challenge and opportunity. The sector continues to face labour shortages, increasing demand and growing complexity. To keep pace, we need greater adoption of technology, better use of data, automation and digital engineering, as well as a willingness to challenge traditional ways of working. While the challenge is significant, I am optimistic the industry will adapt. Organisations that successfully combine innovation, productivity and sustainability will be best placed to thrive.
Tell us something that might surprise others to learn about you.
Since 2022, I have volunteered at an aged care facility near our house on Sunday afternoon and run some social activities for the residents. Since having our daughter in 2024, she also comes along and seeing her is now the residents' favourite part of the afternoon.
How do you spend your downtime?
Quietly, my favourite job is being a father. With a young daughter, I feel incredibly fortunate to spend as much time with her as I do. Watching her grow, learning something new every day, and experiencing joy in the simplest things is incredibly rewarding. It is also a great reminder to slow down occasionally and appreciate the things that really matter.
But outside of that, I’m an avid cyclist. Yes, the type that wears lycra and watches the Tour de France. I love the feeling of getting outdoors, pushing myself to stay fit, and the community it brings.
What does it mean to you to be recognised by Griffith?
When I look at the calibre of Griffith alumni and the impact they have had across industry, research, business, and the community, I see so many incredibly talented and selfless individuals who have achieved remarkable things. To be considered alongside them is both humbling and deeply rewarding. More personally, it would be recognition from a university that played a significant role in shaping who I am today.
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