Peter Greste

Creative Industries FacultyAn international award winning journalist, author and public speaker, Peter Greste is known for his outstanding contribution to journalism as a foreign correspondent, campaigner for freedom of speech and advocate for journalists imprisoned around the world. Peter was thrust into the public spotlight after being imprisoned while on assignment in Egypt in a case that was globally condemned as an abuse of due process and human rights.

Michael Dempsey

Science and Engineering FacultyMichael Dempsey is an engineer, investor and entrepreneur with interests ranging from childcare centres to online digital platforms, hotels and real estate. While working in the childcare industry, Michael saw a need for a simple fee collection system and co-founded Ezidebit, which was bought by the Global Payments group in 2014 for $305 million. Michael is also director of Pipeline Capital, and co-owner of the Normanby Hotel, OntheHouse real estate website, and cloud-based property management software company, Console.

Hon. Leeanne Enoch MP

Faculty of EducationLeeanne Enoch is a proud Quandamooka woman from North Stradbroke Island and was Queensland’s first Aboriginal woman to be elected to Queensland Parliament, where she now holds the position of Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy, and Minister for Small Business. Prior to her political career, Leeanne spent more than a decade as a high school teacher, which fostered her passion for community development and social justice for which she is now known.

Tina Coco AO

Faculty of HealthCurrent State Clinical Manager and Nursing Director of DonateLife Queensland, Tina Coco has been a passionate advocate of organ and tissue donation for more than 25 years. Tina’s career began as a registered nurse and later as an operating room nurse, working closely with liver and kidney transplant surgeries, sparking her interest in the area. In addition to her professional role, Tina remains academically active, publishing, presenting and teaching from a range of platforms.

Joel Pobar

Innovation and Entrepreneurship AwardHighly regarded software engineer, compiler, program language developer and technology expert, Joel Pobar has made his mark at roles with technology industry leaders like Microsoft and Facebook. Now Facebook Engineering Director, Joel manages a team of 100 staff across London and the USA. Joel contributes significantly to the technology innovation community as a presenter at seminars and conferences internationally, and as a supporter of university students and technology mentoring programs.

QUT congratulates the winners of the 2017 Outstanding Alumni Awards. The awards recognise graduates of QUT and its predecessor institutions for exceptional professional achievement and contributions to the community at a local, state, national and international level.

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Alumnus of the Year Darryl McDonoughFaculty of Law

With over 30 years’ experience as a public and listed company director practising in corporate law, Darryl McDonough is the 2017 QUT Alumnus of the Year. Darryl is a specialist in national and international mergers and acquisitions, takeovers and capital raisings, corporate governance and competition law. Darryl has served the community in various Partnership positions at Clayton Utz, and as Chairman of various high-profile public and private companies, as Chairman of the Queensland Competition Authority, and as an author.

Darryl has assisted many organisations and individuals on a pro bono basis, and has served as a Bond University Council Member, and is currently a board member of two charitable foundations.

Michael Brett

Young Innovation and Entrepreneurship AwardMichael Brett is a former Engineers Australia ‘Most Inspiring Engineer’ and International Astronautical Federation ‘Young Space Leader’. Michael is an expert in complex systems, with extensive experience in developing and accelerating adoption of early stage technologies and delivering projects in aerospace, defence, high-performance sports and data analytics. As a co-founder and CEO of QxBranch, Michael is leading a US-Australian company with world-class expertise in systems engineering and advanced data analytics.

Christine Corbett

QUT Business SchoolA business strategist with a successful track record in managing large and complex teams to drive a balance of commercial, customer and stakeholder results and experiences, Christine Corbett is currently Chief Customer Officer of Australia Post. Christine is renowned for her leadership in driving major innovative change in response to community needs, and as a driver for social inclusion and responsibility, including a role as Australia Post’s Disability Ambassador.

Kate Gifford

Young Alumnus of the YearKate Gifford is a clinical optometrist, researcher, peer educator, professional leader and international expert in contact lens practice and clinical management of myopia (short-sightedness) in children and young adults, recognised for her ongoing high level achievements and service to the community. In 2014, Kate became Optometry Australia’s 41st National President for two years and only the second woman, and the youngest person, to hold this post. Kate is also a strong advocate for education, frequently promoting to colleagues the need for ongoing clinical and commercial training.

Wayne Denning

Special Excellence Award for Achievements and Contributions to Indigenous CommunitiesA proud Birri Gubba man from Blackwater, Wayne Denning is founder of award-winning creative agency and production company, Carbon Media, aiming to give a positive voice to Indigenous Australians through innovative and engaging design content. Carbon Media has produced a number of television programs, and in 2013 Wayne made TV history producing the first ever Australian content for Sesame Street, 5 Kangaroos starring pop sensation, Jess Mauboy. Wayne also initiated the STEM.I.AM project for Indigenous youth.