Notable Alumni - Southern Cross University

Meet our alumni

Our extraordinary alumni have gone on to do incredible things after graduating from Southern Cross University. These are some of their stories.

Jules Allen

An award-winning youth advocate with a truly moving story. Jules has co-hosted the television show 'Studio 10', written editorials for the Herald Sun, blogged for parenting websites and presented a TED Talk. She featured on ABC's Australian Story and has been widely acknowledged for her commitment and dedication to a life of service.

Bachelor of Social Science

One of the 2017 Alumni award winners, Jules Allen

Craig Phillips AM

Craig is the CEO of the Commonwealth Games. Appointed the role in 2015, he has led two Commonwealth Games after a career that had reached the heights of sports administration. Craig was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia “for significant service to high profile sporting organisations”.

Master of Business Administration

Craig Phillips. Credit: Commonwealth Games Australia

Laura Gerber MP

After graduating from Southern Cross, Laura started up as a federal prosecutor with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. Now, Laura has secured one of Queensland’s most hotly contested seats, as the Member for Currumbin, ensuring the voices of her community are not only heard but listened to.

Bachelor of Laws

Jordan Ivey

Jordan is pursuing a rewarding and important career in marine science and hopes his experience can inspire other Indigenous students. He is heavily involved with the Australian Institute of Marine Science as a member of its Indigenous Partnerships Team and as the Indigenous Training and Capacity Officer.

Bachelor of Marine Science & Management

Neale Sutton

Neale invented Humanihut, a lightweight, humanitarian and emergency accommodation solution. Established in 2013, Humanihut was shortlisted from more than one million global venture nominations to be listed 63rd on the 2016 Disrupt100 list of businesses with the most potential to influence, change or create new global markets.

Master of Professional Management

a southern cross alumni stands in front of temporary housing his company makes

Dr. Kay Danes OAM

Kay has become one of Australia's most recognised humanitarians, providing expert opinion as an active independent consultant on world affairs relating to foreign internment, and global humanitarian response. She has been honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the community through promoting social justice and human rights.

Doctor of Philosophy

Ben Howling

Ben has over two decades of experience working as a producer, cinematographer, editor, and director on flagship reality TV shows such as X Factor, Big Brother and Shark Tank. As well as, films including Jungle, A Means to an End, and Cargo, which was the first Netflix Original Feature Film from Australia. He is now a Co-Director and writer at EQ Media Group.

Bachelor of Multimedia

Sue Higginson MP

Sue is an environmental law expert and has practiced as a public interest environmental lawyer. As the former Principal Solicitor and CEO of the Environmental Defenders Office, she has represented communities challenging mining giants, proponents of environmentally harmful development and holding Governments to account for the environment.

Bachelor of Laws

Theresa Mitchell

After winning Student of the Year in 2021, Theresa is now an author, motivational speaker, and life coach who became the founder of Agape Outreach Inc. over 15 years ago. Little did she know her volunteer organisation would grow to help more than 1,000 homeless and needy people every year.

Bachelor of Psychological Science

Theresa Mitchell from Agape Outreach standing in front of white wall

Karl Goodsell

CEO & Founder of Positive Change For Marine Life, a business that works with a broad range of people and businesses from diverse backgrounds to see the value of a healthy ocean and the long-term environmental, social and economic benefits that it provides.

Bachelor of Marine Science & Management

Holly Wedd

Celebrated maths teacher and Southern Cross University alumnus Holly Wedd is Head Teacher of Mathematics at Orara High School in Coffs Harbour. In her early career, Holly was named the Rising Star of the Year at the prestigious Australian Education Awards.

Bachelor of Education | Master of Education

David Heilpern

Former magistrate and one of Australia’s most widely experienced lawyers, David, was the youngest magistrate in Australia when first appointed in 1998 and this continued in NSW local court until 2020. Now, David is the Dean of Law at Southern Cross University guiding the next generation of lawyers.

Master of Laws

Dean of Law, Associate Professor David Heilpern

Nic Brown

Nic has spent the majority of his career in the for-purpose sector working in Australia and overseas. Nic was CEO and Executive Director for a mental health organisation batyr until 2024, when he stepped into the role of CEO with Street Side Medics, a not-for-profit organisation that deliver free, GP-led, mobile medical services to those experiencing homelessness.

Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science

Tahlia McGahey

Tahlia is the Principal of Arcadia College. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the school and holds a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), a Bachelor of Behavioural Studies (Psychology), and a Master of Forensic Mental Health. Additionally, she is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Southern Cross University, researching the topic of School Improvement through the Arts.

Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

Tahlia McGahey, Principal of Arcadia College

Ashok Lavasa

Ashok Lavasa is the Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public Private Partnerships with the Asian Development Bank. He has been associated with a broad array of public policy and program implementation initiatives covering the finance, power, environment and climate change, civil aviation, infrastructure, and tourism sectors.

Master of Business Administration

Marion Charlton

Marion has an impressive track record in business and aviation domestically and abroad. Since joining Queensland Airports Limited (QAL), Marion has held a variety of senior roles including her current position of Chief Operating Officer, where she manages the day-to-day operations of QAL group airports, and is overseeing the transformational Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion.

Master of Business Administration

Marion Charlton sitting at the Gold Coast Airport

Bella Zanesco

After a spectacular corporate career, Bella has reinvented herself as a wellbeing and transformation consultant to major corporations while penning a bestselling book about life and career fulfilment. Now, Bella works as the Senior Partner Development Specialist for Sports and Sustainability Use Cases at Amazon Web Services.

Bachelor of Business

Will Brook

Will Brook is the CEO of the family-run business Brookfarm, which offers a range of products from breakfast muesli, snacks, and, more recently, Gin from their Cape Byron Distillery. Growing up working in every part of the business, Will brings a wealth of experience to the role and is firmly focused on the future of Brookfarm.

Bachelor of Contemporary Music | Bachelor of Education

Will Brook opening a pack of Brookfarm muesli

Lisa Blair

Lisa is a four-time sailing world record holder and citizen scientist on a mission to take community action on climate change around the world with her. Lisa has circumnavigated Antarctica solo and unassisted setting new speed records and collecting important data on ocean health and climate change along the way.

Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

Dermot O'Gorman

Dermot is a global sustainable development leader with 25 years’ experience in envisioning, and implementing solutions to protect our wildlife and environment for current and future generations. He has worked with WWF for more than two decades, serving as the CEO of WWF-Australia, WWF-Pacific, and WWF-China.

Associate Diploma in Applied Science

Lucas Handley

Lucas is a marine biologist, underwater photographer, and Master Free Dive Instructor. He is an ambassador for Scuba for Change, an organisation that invests in Pacific Island communities and their sustainable future, which allows him to assist villagers across countries keep their reefs intact by developing their own eco tourism enterprises.

Bachelor of Marine Science & Management

Lucas Handley with a child on his shoulders

Pam Brook

Pam is the co-founder of Brookfarm, a family food business based in Byron Bay, which she established with her husband, Martin in 1999. These days, Pam continues to lead the Brookfarm product development team and remains heavily involved in community and environmental initiatives, such as being the chairwoman of Northern Rivers Food.

Master of Business Administration

Pam Brook in an apron getting ready to cook

Kevin Franey

When Kevin completed his Bachelor of Business in 1993, he became a member of Southern Cross University’s first graduating class. Now he is a partner at highly successful audit and assurance business HLB Mann Judd (formerly Thomas, Noble and Russell) with over 30 years’ experience in the provision of professional services to co-operatives and mutuals.

Bachelor of Business

Sharon Styman

Sharon’s vast experience spans almost 20 years, working with scores of business owners, assisting with auditing and strategic planning, and developing foundations from which young businesses could grow and prosper. Sharon was elected as the first female board member at Twin Towns, and has recently been announced the Deputy Chair.

Master of Business Administration

Sharon Styman sitting on the grass smiling

Shelley Watts

Former Australian Olympic boxer Shelley, made Australian sport history after she claimed the nation’s first female boxing gold medal at the Commonwealth Games when she won the lightweight division at the Glasgow 2014 Games. After completing her law & exercise science degrees during her career as a professional athlete, Shelley has gone on to become a Criminal Law layer at Tony Cox Lawyers & Conveyancers.

Bachelor of Human Movement Science | Bachelor of Laws

Courtney Evans

Courtney has a background in digital extending back to the mid 90's, and is now the Co Founder and CEO at Funraisin, which is a specialty events fundraising platform used by nonprofits to manage their P2P, events and community fundraising. Courtney and his team released Funraisin in 2016 and have grown to support hundreds of inspiring, life-changing charities in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Europe, United States of America and Canada.

Bachelor of Arts

Courtney Evans wearing prescription glasses

Johanna Byrne

Johanna works as a Senior Associate advising on a large range of legal issues. During her studies, she was recognised as the National Indigenous Law Student of the Year in 2016, awarded by the Federal Attorney General, and received the Southern Cross University Academic Excellence Award. These days Johanna is a Committee Member for the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and the Indigenous co-chair for the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights.

Bachelor of Laws

Johanna Byrne leaning against a wall smiling

Will Zillman

Will is a former professional NRL player, where he had played nearly 200 games at the top level for the Canberra Raiders and the Gold Coast Titans. In addition to being a professional athlete, William is a skilled horseman who has a budding career as an equine trainer and behaviourist. This passion for animals turned into further studies in Veterinarian Sciences, which has led Will to becoming a Co-Owner & Veterinarian at VetLove Casuarina.

Bachelor of Business

Will Zillman playing NRL for the Gold Coast Titans

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