Alumni Community Newsletter April to June 2026

Five Melbourne Business School alumni have been recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours, while others continue to shape industries through new leadership appointments, published insights and professional achievements. We also look back at recent alumni events that brought our global community together.

King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List

Congratulations to five Melbourne Business School alumni recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, for their outstanding contributions to sport, community and public service.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Mr Michael Kennedy AM (AIS Performance Leaders Program: 2, 2015). For significant service to snowsport development and advancement in Australia, and to international sport governance.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Dr Lana Adele Leslie-Henfling OAM (MURRA Indigenous Business Program, 2024). For service to the Indigenous community through a range of roles.
Mr Oommen Thomas OAM (MBA 1977). For service to the Indian community of Victoria.
Mr Robert Stephen Zahara OAM (MBA 1979). For service to rowing.

Public Service Medal (PSM)
Ms Elizabeth Fiona Sampson PSM (MBA 1996). For outstanding public service in leading land management reforms in Victoria.

Alumni appointments

Gordon Naylor (MBA 1997) has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of CSL, an ASX-listed global biotechnology company headquartered in Melbourne. Gordon brings more than three decades of global biotechnology leadership experience across operations, finance, technology and advanced manufacturing. Gordon joined CSL in the late 1980s as an engineer and has spent more than three decades helping shape the company's growth into a global biotechnology leader. As CEO and Managing Director, he will lead CSL’s global business and strategic direction. Read more here. 

Andrea Nieto Eyzaguirre (MBA 2008) has been elected as the first woman president of Chiletec, the Association of Chilean Technology Companies. Andrea's appointment marks an important milestone for both the organisation and the country's technology sector, reflecting her strong leadership, industry expertise and commitment to innovation. As President, she will play a key role in strengthening Chile's technology ecosystem, supporting digital transformation and fostering collaboration across the industry. Read more here.

Layton Shannos (MBA 2017) has concluded his tenure as Acting Chief Executive Officer of Webjet Group, a digital travel business, following the appointment of Nicole Sheffield as the company's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer on 20 July 2026. Layton, the Chief Financial Officer, assumed the Acting CEO role in June 2026, providing leadership continuity while the Board conducted its search for a permanent CEO. A long-serving executive with more than 12 years at Webjet Group, Layton has held a range of senior finance and corporate leadership roles and played an important part in the company's financial management and corporate development.

Gina Jardine (MBA 2011) has been appointed Non-Executive Director of Resolute Mining Limited. Gina brings extensive executive leadership and governance experience across the mining and resources sector, having built a distinguished career in capital-intensive, operationally complex and highly regulated industries. Her appointment further strengthens the company's Board as it continues to pursue growth opportunities across its international operations. Read more here.

Adam Hales (MBA 2012) has been appointed Associate Partner at PMP Strategy as the strategic management consulting firm continues to expand its North American Telecom Media and Technology (TMT) practice. Adam joins PMP Strategy from Kearney, where he was a Senior Principal in the firm's TMT practice, having previously held leadership roles at Boston Consulting Group and Delta Partners. He brings more than 16 years of international experience advising telecommunications, media and technology organisations across North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Read more here.

Shae Bolton-Brown (Executive MBA 2022) is stepping down as the inaugural General Manager of the Australian professional netball team Melbourne Mavericks. Since the club's establishment in 2023, Shae has played a pivotal role in building the organisation from the ground up, helping to shape its culture, establish its operations and grow a passionate supporter community. Under her leadership, the Mavericks achieved several important milestones, including surpassing 2,600 members, securing its first finals appearance, establishing its home at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and appointing a new head coach on a multi-year agreement. As she prepares to hand over leadership at the end of the season, Melbourne Business School congratulates Shae on her outstanding contribution to the club's foundation and growth, and wishes her every success in the next chapter of her career. Read more here.  

Alumni in the News

David Fethers (Leading for Organisational Impact 2015) was recently featured in an interview with DCN, a maritime logistics publication, where he reflected on his leadership journey and shared his perspectives on the sector. Throughout the conversation, David discussed the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry, the importance of strategic leadership, and the lessons he has learned from leading organisations through periods of change. His insights highlight the experience and expertise that have established him as a respected leader within the transport and logistics community. Read the full interview here.

Ian Nisbet (Advanced Management Program 1992) recently co-authored an article for Pharmaphorum, a pharmaceutical industry publication, exploring the rapidly evolving field of CAR-NK cell therapies for solid tumours. In the article, Ian examines emerging research, addresses common misconceptions surrounding the technology, and highlights the potential to improve treatment options for patients with solid tumours. Read the full article here.

Jeremy Otto (MBA candidate) was recently interviewed by education magazine K12 Digest, where he shared his perspectives on transforming school advancement through authentic human connections. During the interview, Jeremy discussed the importance of building meaningful relationships with students, families, alumni and donors and explained how educational institutions can strengthen engagement through purpose-driven leadership and community-focused strategies. Read the full interview here.

Bengaluru Alumni Dinner | 7 April

Melbourne Business School and University of Melbourne alumni gathered in Bengaluru, India, for an evening of lively conversation with our Associate Dean (Faculty), Professor Alex Newman. Discussions ranged from the School's future and alumni engagement to sport, careers and life across cultures.

With great food and even better company, the evening was a reminder that the strongest professional networks often start with a simple catch-up.

Nikhil Narayan (MBA 2005) said, “A memorable evening with Professor Alex Newman, catching up with 7 Melbourne Business School and University of Melbourne alumni over dinner and drinks. It was a free-flowing conversation about how the School is evolving and strengthening its integration within the wider University of Melbourne ecosystem, to the vital role alumni play in sustaining meaningful professional networks. We also swapped stories on sport, cross cultural perspectives, and a bit of everything in between. One of those nights where you come away feeling reconnected and genuinely energised.”

Singapore Alumni Connect | 14 April

Alumni from across diplomacy, healthcare, technology and entrepreneurship came together in Singapore to explore the future of AI, cybersecurity and innovation. Highlights included insights from Emily Follett (Deputy High Commissioner for Australia), MBS Associate Professor Kwanghui Lim and Ajit Ravindran and Will Yang (Lenexa Medical co-founders).

The evening reinforced an important message: While technology continues to evolve, meaningful human connections remain our greatest competitive advantage.

Special thanks to our Singapore Alumni Chapter President Joseph Yap (MBA 2005) for organising this event. 

 

 

San Diego Alumni Catch-up | 15 April 

 

Professor Don O'Sullivan caught up with Ken Coulter (Siemens Digital Industries Software) and Brenton Morley (VECKTA) to hear how life and careers are unfolding among alumni on the US West Coast.

 

London AI Leadership & Product Innovation Panel | 6 May 

 

Our London-based alums along with University of Melbourne alumni welcomed Sudip Shah (former Meta and Amazon product leader) for a discussion on building AI products at global scale. From responsible AI to enterprise adoption, attendees gained practical insights into the opportunities of today's AI landscape.

Sudip shared firsthand perspectives from leadership roles spanning GenAI and VR initiatives at Meta, as well as foundational work on Alexa at Amazon, providing attendees with a rare behind-the-scenes view into frontier AI product strategy and execution.

Special thanks to Sudip Shah for volunteering his time to speak with alumni. Our thanks to chapter leaders John Oliveri (MBA 2013), Remya Ramesh (MBA 2018) and Sasini Wijesiri (MBA 2020) for organising this event. We also extend our thanks to all alumni and guests who attended and contributed to an insightful and thought-provoking discussion on the future of AI. 

Kuala Lumpur Alumni Evening | 13 May 

 

Alumni in Malaysia gathered with Dr Jamie Cross for an evening of conversation on economics, policy and future opportunities for regional collaboration. Jamie was in town for a panel discussion hosted by Bank Negara Malaysia, the South East Asian Central Banks (SEACEN) Research and Training Centre, and the Asia School of Business. Special thanks to Debasis Priyadarshan Das, Sanjeev Rajput (SEMBA 2018) for organising this event.

 

Exit Strategies with Entrepreneurship Chapter | 20 May 

In partnership with the INSEAD alumni community, the Entrepreneurship Chapter hosted an honest conversation on what it really takes to prepare a business for a successful exit. Founders and investors shared practical lessons on growth, governance and long-term value creation highlighting insights on profitability, EBITDA, strong documentation, and clear strategic growth pathways.

Led by MBS Associate Professor David Keith, the discussion featured Emma Welsh (Co-Founder of Emma & Tom Foods), Sam Pratt (Former CEO of Render Networks and MBA alumni (2016) and Viv Petroff (CEO & Executive Director of Flagstaff Partners and current MBA student) sharing lessons from both the founder and investor perspectives.

Thank you to organisers Sunny Singh (MBA 2020), Priyanka Nadkarni (MBA 2014), Leo Leng (Master of Business Analytics 2014), Robert Lee (MBA 2025) and Rahul Sud (MBA 2025).

 

Singapore AI Networking Evening | 28 May 

 

Under a full moon and overlooking the Singapore skyline, alumni gathered for an engaging discussion on artificial intelligence featuring MBS Associate Professor Kwanghui Lim and industry leaders. Conversations ranged from AI strategy and governance to cybersecurity and delivering real business value. The evening blended big ideas with great conversation, reminding everyone that the best insights often come from bringing diverse experiences around the same table.

A particularly memorable insight from AI veteran, Jason Tamara Widjaja (MBA 2010, Master of Business Analytics 2016) was his reflection on the term 'GPT: Generative Pre-trained Transformer,' noting that the scale of generative power, the vastness of pre-training datasets, and the pace of model transformation have all far exceeded expectations since the term was first coined. 

Special thanks to Chapter President Joseph Yap (MBA 2005) for organising this event. 

 

Hong Kong TGIF | 29 May 

 

Hong Kong alumni came together to welcome the new Chapter Committee members Emma Wu (MBA 2025, and current M.Mktg student) and Michael Ngo (MBA 2011) with an informal networking evening that brought together graduates from across the city's business community.

 

Alumni Supper Club | 3 June   

Our Alumni Supper Club brought alumni together for an informal evening of conversation, connection and shared meals across three Melbourne venues. The Supper Club gives alumni the chance to meet a small group of fellow graduates they may not otherwise cross paths with. Alumni register their interest to participate, with invitations then extended to create small, curated groups that bring together graduates from different programs, industries and career stages.

This round saw strong interest and brought together 25 attending across three dinners at Godby Hotel, Rodd & Gunn Wine Bar, and Saint & Rogue.

The three dinners were hosted by Jessica Cheney (MBA 2025), Max Kamali (MBA Candidate) and Jerome Lim (MBA 2025), with alumni from a range of programs and graduating years represented. Following this successful round, we look forward to bringing more alumni together around the table at future dinners.

 

Perth Leadership Through Transition | 18 June 

 

Perth alumni gathered for a fireside conversation with Darren Stralow (Bellevue Gold Managing Director and CEO), who shared lessons about the importance of maintaining stoicism though the ups and downs of business, and the importance of keeping boots on the ground and human connections in an increasingly tech- and AI-heavy world.

The discussion was followed by networking over drinks, giving attendees the opportunity to continue the conversation and reconnect with fellow alumni across Western Australia.

A big thank you to the WA Chapter Committee: Craig Hook (MBA 1997), Vid Kadiresan (EMBA 2024), and Laura Atkinson (MBA 2025) for organising this event.  A very big thank you to Kristy Porter (SEMBA 2021) at BDO for hosting these events in 2026.

 

Ho Chi Minh City Alumni Dinner | 20 June 

 

Professor Alex Newman joined alumni in Ho Chi Minh City for an evening that brought together graduates from more than two decades. New introductions quickly turned into conversations about collaboration, careers and future opportunities.

Organiser Uyen Nguyen said: “It was great fun to get together with Professor Alex Newman and the alumni in Ho Chi Minh. It was a small group, but we have alums from the classes of 1999 to 2024. Some have connected before, some have had very little communication with the School and alumni. We are all very excited to be connected and have already started exploring cooperation opportunities. We look forward to more gatherings in the future.”  

Alex Newman (Associate Dean of Faculty) said: “It was good to catch up with the alumni chapter in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Vietnam for dinner today. Such a fascinating group working in senior levels roles across different industries. I continue to be amazed by how fast Vietnam is developing and good to see our alumni contributing to its growth.”

Our sincere thanks to Uyen Nguyen (MBA 2008) for organising this meetup.

 

Australia-India Special interest Group Launching Event | 25 June

The Melbourne Business School Australia-India Special Interest Group officially launched on 25 June 2026, bringing together alumni, business leaders, academics and diplomats for an evening focused on connection, trust and opportunity across the Australia-India corridor.

Consul General Shri Anish Rajan (Consul General of India in Melbourne) opened the event by highlighting the growing strategic partnership between Australia and India across areas including technology, clean energy, critical minerals, defence and education. He noted that the best days of the relationship are still ahead, driven by businesses, universities, entrepreneurs and communities.

The discussion, moderated by Professor Mohan Yellishetty (Monash University), featured practical insights from Abhay Sinha (Managing Director, Care Essentials and MBA 2001), Miro Miletic (Managing Director, Memko) and Andrew Dodd (Head of Business, Victoria, CARS24), who shared lessons on entrepreneurship, market entry and the importance of building trust in India. A key theme throughout the evening was that lasting success depends not only on institutions and strategy, but on relationships, persistence and credibility.

The networking session that followed gave attendees the chance to connect and share their own experiences in the Australia-India business corridor. The Australia-India Special Interest Group looks forward to building on this strong start through future events and collaborations.

Our thanks to the new chapter Committee members, Abhishek (MBA 2024), Rajashree Datta (MBA 2024) and Saurav Jha (MBA 2024) for making this happen.

 

Hong Kong Alumni Meetup with Will Harvey | 29 June

  

A recent visit to Hong Kong by Professor Will Harvey, Director of the Sustainable Value Creation Institute, provided the perfect opportunity to reconnect with our alumni community, bringing together alumni for a memorable evening. The group had dinner at Frank's Italian American, followed by a walk around Victoria Peak to take in the city's skyline and continue the conversation.

Conversations sparked exciting ideas for the future, including regular regional alumni gatherings, increased faculty engagement during visits to Asia, stronger connections through study tours, and opportunities for leadership, including a future visit from our Dean, Professor Jenny George.

Our thanks to Committee members Emma Wu (MBA 2025, and current M.Mktg student) and Michael Ngo (MBA 2011) for organising this memorable night out for Will Harvey and our alums.