Abbey Filko
MBA 2020, MMgt 2010, BBus 2010

Three-time business graduate Abbey Filko is a highly accomplished Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Airtrain in Brisbane, recognised for her excellence in transportation and tourism. She is a pioneer in inclusive transportation, securing grants to improve accessibility at Airtrain stations and leading the adoption of the Cerge Companion and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programs, which enhance travel experiences for passengers with disabilities. Her achievements include leading Airtrain to win three Tripadvisor awards and earning the prestigious Global AirRail Alliance Marketing of the Year Award in 2018. Abbey served as an ambassador for the tourism industry as a Young Tourism Leader (2018-2021) and was elected as the youngest Director on the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Board in 2023.

Abdel Badoura
BBusMgt 2011

Business management graduate Abdel Badoura is an accomplished business leader and entrepreneur recognised for his dedication to innovation and social impact. With more than a decade of experience in the consumer goods industry, he has held key roles across major companies including Reckitt, Galderma and Specsavers, driving strategic growth, overcoming market challenges and winning multiple company awards. In April 2024, Abdel made a courageous move to expose unethical practices within Australia’s retail landscape. His testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices shed light on the manipulation affecting consumers, contributing to ground-breaking recommendations for reform. With a focus on achieving climate justice in consumer goods, Abdel has gone on to found Pinkish Pods, a laundry detergent start-up.

Braedan Jason
BJourn 2000

After graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2020, Braedan Jason competed at his second Paralympics and first Commonwealth Games in 2022, placing fourth at both. Whilst juggling his final year of professional swimming, Braedan started his employment with ABC Sunshine Coast where he continues to work as a content maker and producer for their radio programs, broadcasting news and stories across the country. He also became Australia’s first blind sports commentator, calling numerous National Swimming championships, including the Paris Olympic and Paralympic trials. In 2023, Braedan was the first blind person to complete the Coolangatta Gold Ironman. He also continues to speak at local schools about inclusion, disability, sport and university programs.

Danielle Doyle
PhD 2012, BSc(Hons) 2009

Graduating from UniSC with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and a PhD in biomechanics, Dr Danielle Doyle is leading the strategic development and operations of the Sunshine Coast Swimming Hub at the Queensland Academy of Sport. This initiative has enhanced the skills of coaches and athletes across the region, making performance science accessible to all. By utilising the Hub's resources and state-of-the-art facilities, local athletes now have opportunities that were previously unavailable, enabling them to compete at higher levels and having a significant impact on their development. Prior to this, Danielle directed the Paralympic Performance Support team, providing vital support at numerous Paralympics, Commonwealth Games, and Para World Championships.

Emma O'Mara
BPubRel 2014

Public relations graduate Emma O’Mara is a communications, media and engagement specialist who has been a driving force behind several transformative South East Queensland projects and initiatives in her field of expertise. These include the launch of Sunshine Coast Airport's new runway during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sunshine Coast Public Transport project, RACQ’s Smart Shuttle autonomous vehicle pilot and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. With extensive regional knowledge and diverse industry experience, Emma devises creative and contemporary approaches to engage stakeholders and help shape communities. The work, which she has been integral to, has been recognised through several industry awards, including a Golden Quill Award of Excellence in 2021 and a Highly Commended International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) award in 2024.

Emma Williams
BParamedicSc 2018

Emma Williams is an Aboriginal woman of Wakka Wakka descent and an advanced care paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) on the Sunshine Coast. Working in senior advisory roles within the QAS Cultural Safety Unit, as Co-Chair of the QAS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Committee and Indigenous Liaison Officer for the Sunshine Coast, Emma drives CPR awareness, liaises with stakeholders on health equity and works with the community to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Emma mentors UniSC's Indigenous students and has played an integral role in growing the number of QAS Indigenous Paramedic Program (IPP) cadet positions in her region. Emma has also worked tirelessly raising funds for: Purple House by walking 1,700km unsupported from Alice Springs to Broome; the Black Dog Institute by walking to Everest Base Camp with the Blak Trekkers team; and QAS Legacy by cycling 2,500km solo from Alice Springs to the Sunshine Coast. In 2023, Emma was a finalist of the QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards celebrating the achievements of workers within Queensland police, fire, health, ambulance, corrections, justice, public service, education and volunteers.

Jason Valusaga
BBus (Int) 2017

International business graduate Jason Valusaga is a passionate supporter of diversity, inclusion, sustainability and community. He has volunteered with Helping Hands, Cancer Council Sunshine Coast, the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association, and the Pacific Islands Council of Queensland, where his leadership as Treasurer helped foster cross-cultural dialogue and community engagement. A former New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Grant recipient, NCP Ambassador, and now dedicated NCP alumni mentor, Jason champions First Nations perspectives in international development. Based in Canberra, Jason currently coordinates the Pacific Agriculture Scholarship Support & Climate Resilience (PASS-CR) program at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). In partnership with UniSC, Fiji National University, and the University of the South Pacific, Jason is passionate about strengthening international partnerships to support Pacific scholars in addressing regional development priorities, including climate change, resilience, and the preservation of traditional knowledge.

Kim Driver
BBus 2002

As one of UniSC’s first student intakes, business graduate Kim Driver has gone on to successfully follow her professional aspirations within the local government sector. During her career Kim has been awarded two esteemed international management exchange programs to study local government practices in both the United States and New Zealand. Kim holds the position of Manager Governance and Advisory Services (State) at the Local Government Association of Queensland, providing guidance and advice to mayors, councillors, and CEOs, to assist in upholding the highest standards of governance practices within the operations of Queensland’s 77 councils. Kim was also President of the Local Government Managers Australia, South East Queensland Branch for two years.

Larelle McMillan
BSc(EnvSc) 2003

One of UniSC’s first graduates in environmental science, Larelle McMillan co-established UniSC’s first environment ‘club’ and was passionate about how science can contribute to evidence-based policy development. Continuing this passion throughout her career, Larelle has worked with Qld Government, NGOs, the private sector, ran her own consultancy, pursued post-graduate study and now leads a team of 110 researchers as Research Director of CSIRO’s Sustainability program in Agriculture and Food. She has catalysed and designed over $20 million worth of research opportunities for the nation, building investment with partners focused on agri-food system sustainability, both nationally and in developing nations. Prior to her current role, Larelle co-managed the Africa Food Security Initiative, a $40 million program over 6 years to improve food and nutrition security and policy influence, supporting deep capacity in African science and innovation leadership.

Lucy Laliberte
BA 2000

Based in Oakland, California, Lucy Laliberte is a Feature Film Production Manager at Pixar Animation Studios collaborating with directors, producers, and production leaders to breathe life into animated films on time and within budget. Hailing from the Sunshine Coast, Lucy graduated from UniSC with an arts degree, then furthered her graduate studies abroad at Smith College in Massachusetts. Lucy has been at Pixar for over 16 years, working on Academy Award winning feature films such as Toy Story 3, Inside Out, and Coco. She also played a key role in the production of the Academy Award winning short film, Bao and is currently working on the feature film Hoppers, due for release in March 2026.

Michael Andrews
BParamedicSc 2019

Paramedic Science graduate Michael Andrews currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of St John Ambulance Solomon Islands, overseeing the delivery of ambulance services on behalf of the government. Michael played a pivotal role in introducing new models of care, including the integration of domestic and family violence practitioners, mental health clinicians, diabetes educators and specialised teams for falls prevention and nurse-initiated triage. Recently, he secured substantial support from the Australian Government to develop a national ambulance service that will connect 900 islands by phone, land, and sea—increasing Universal Health Coverage. As a Director of St John Ambulance Queensland, Michael was a key figure in introducing a mobile eye health service that travels to remote communities across Queensland. When home, he continues to work as a paramedic with Queensland Ambulance Service on the Sunshine Coast.

Silvia Castillo
MSocWk(Q) 2022

Master of Social Work graduate Silvia Castillo is a passionate community worker and member of the Multicultural Advisory Group for the Sunshine Coast Council, dedicated to fostering inclusion and diversity. Drawing from her lived experience as a migrant, she combines economics, social work, and community development to create holistic approaches that foster belonging and inclusion. Silvia has secured grants for multicultural programs, mentors professional migrants, advocates for breaking down stereotypes and volunteers on the leadership team of the Women’s Ethnic Network (WEN), a sub-committee of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland. In 2024, Silvia won the Cleo Xynias Multicultural Woman of the Year Scholarship that recognises the contributions of women who are making society more equitable and inclusive.

Siobhan Loughnan
BSocSc(Psych)(Hons) 2015,BSocSc(Psych) 2013

Dr Siobhan Loughnan is an early career researcher with a PhD in perinatal anxiety and depression following her psychology degrees from UniSC. Siobhan now co-leads the Care Around Stillbirth and Neonatal Death program at the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth. She has made significant contributions to national and international efforts to improve care for bereaved families after the death of a baby during pregnancy or soon after birth – a tragedy experienced by over 3,000 families each year in Australia. Siobhan’s most notable achievements include $3.5 million in grant funding ($1.1 million as Chief Investigator) and a national launch of a new free online program ‘Living with Loss’ to support pregnancy and baby loss.

Tahlia Avolio 
BMid 2020

Midwifery graduate Tahlia Avolio became one of the youngest Endorsed Midwives in Australia in 2023 at 25yrs old and works at Waminda within the Minga Gudjaga Midwifery Team providing continuity of care on Yuin Country on the South Coast of NSW. She is part of the first Birthing on Country model of care in Australia where endorsed midwives are employed by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and have visiting rights to their local public hospital. Committed to decolonising maternity services in Australia, the team provides wrap around holistic services and tailored strengths-based care to Aboriginal women and their families. Since commencing the model in May 2024, it has seen increasingly positive neonatal and maternal outcomes with the Minga Gudjaga Midwifery Team also winning Maternity Service of the Year Award at the Australian College of Midwives National Conference.

Tetyana Rocks
PhD 2017, BSci (Hons) 2013, BNut&Diet 2012

Dr Tetyana Rocks is an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Senior Research Fellow, founder and director of the Food & Mood Academy, Deakin University, and the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award from Dietitians Australia. Tetyana’s work focuses on integrating Nutritional Psychiatry research into clinical practice, enhancing global mental health. She has developed and leads a free online course, Food and Mood, with over 88,000 enrollees worldwide, and two accredited postgraduate courses. Tetyana is the author of over 50 papers, has been awarded $160,000 in grants, received over $800,000 in philanthropic support, and delivered over 140 presentations in Australia and globally.

Tony Meyer
GradDipEd(Secondary) 2017, BSp&ExSc 2014

Sport science and education graduate Tony Meyer is a visionary leader in Australian golf with a focus on high-performance development and leadership. As Golf Australia’s National Coach, Tony played a critical role in developing world-class players like Minjee Lee, Cam Smith, and Hannah Green, all of whom achieved major championship wins. In his current role as High Performance Director, Tony co-led the Australian Olympic Golf Team with Karrie Webb at the Paris Olympics. He was instrumental in developing the national Cam Smith Scholarship which provides young golfers with opportunities to learn from top professionals. Tony is also a volunteer mentor with the Australian Institute of Sport coach mentor program, currently mentoring the head coach for diving at the Victorian Institute of Sport.