Alumni Impact Awards finalists building a better world

Swinburne University of Technology has announced the nine finalists for its Alumni Impact Awards 2021.

The awards acknowledge innovative, entrepreneurial and successful alum who have made a profound impact in their professional fields and in the community. 

This year, there are three award categories that recognise impact across technology, innovation and society. 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global and Community Engagement), Dr Andrew J Smith, says he is inspired by the finalists for this year.

‘Our annual Alumni Impact Awards ceremony brings together some of the best of our alumni from across the globe; those who are making a meaningful difference through technology, innovation and social impact.

‘I send my congratulations to all the shortlisted finalists for 2021. Their success indeed reinforces how far a Swinburne qualification can take you in a tech-led world,’ Dr Smith says.

‘Our Swinburne alumni are a wonderful network of people. They are leaders, mentors, role models and have inspiring stories to tell. I encourage you to join us in celebrating our alumni and what it means to be a part of our Swinburne family,’ Dr Smith says. 

Meet the finalists

Technology Impact Award

This award recognises alum whose exceptional endeavours have resulted in significant impact and demonstrated Swinburne’s vision of bringing people and technology together to build a better world.

Jacqueline Savage, Founder of MedCorp Technologies, an Australian medical device company dedicated to improving the healthcare industry through technology and innovation, developing products for global distribution.  

Jefferson Harcourt, Executive Chairman of Grey Innovation Group, Director of Eco Detection, GreyScan and TALI Health Ltd. Jefferson’s 20-year career has been built on using technology to make the world a better place across the medical, security and environmental fields. 

Peter Nguyen-Brown, Co-founder and CXO of LiveTiles, an award-winning global software company that provides technological solutions and tools to transform organisations and build employee engagement through AI, analytics and user interface design. 

Jacqueline Savage, Jefferson Harcourt and Peter Nguyen-Brown are the finalists for the Technology Impact Award

Innovation Impact Award 

This award recognises alum whose exceptional endeavours have resulted in significant impact through entrepreneurial innovation.

Andrew Collins, Group CEO at Mailman, a global sports digital consultancy and agency, headquartered in Shanghai, with offices in London, Singapore and Los Angeles. 

Nicole Lamond, CEO and Founder of Universal Village and Eloments, two innovative fair-trade companies with ethical and moral approaches to support farmers and communities around the world. 

Wesa Chau, Founder and CEO of Cultural Intelligence, a consulting firm offering training and research to promote cultural diversity and innovative thinking within organisations across Australia. 

Andrew Collins, Nicole Lamond and Wesa Chau are finalists for the Innovation Impact Award

The George and Ethel Swinburne Social Impact Award

This award recognises alum who have demonstrated Swinburne’s founders’ passion for providing opportunities to all and making a real difference. 

Brendan J Doidge, drives the five-year strategy at Common Equity Housing Limited, Victoria’s largest community housing association. Brendan is guided by the Triple Bottom Line philosophy, advocating for an economically inclusive, environmentally sustainable and socially cohesive society. Outside of work, Brendan volunteers his time through 1:1 careers advisory and strategy consulting to Australia’s emerging non-profit and community organisations through Goodwill Collective. 

Lidia Thorpe, a Senator for Victoria, a proud Gunnai Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman and the first Aboriginal woman elected to the Victorian Parliament and as a Senator for Victoria. Lidia is The Greens spokesperson for First Nations, Justice, and Sport. She is a passionate advocate for First Nations rights, women’s rights, public health, environmental protection, public housing and child protection, social and environmental justice.

Stephen Graham, Founder of BildGroup, Boat O’Craigo Winery and The Graham Family Foundation. Stephen is a successful businessman, vigneron and philanthropist who enabled Swinburne academics to create the Swinburne Australian Leadership Index, a research initiative to improve and increase the practice of ethical leadership.

Brendan J Doidge, Lidia Thorpe and Stephen Graham are finalists for the George and Ethel Swinburne Social Impact Award

The online awards ceremony will be hosted by Emmy award-winning foreign correspondent, author and commentator, Sara James, at 5pm on Wednesday 13 October.