Monash Business School 2023 Alumni Excellence Award recipient making a difference one meal at a time
13 October 2023
Deputy Dean (Faculty Operations) Prof Michelle Welsh, Cynthia Chung
and Monash Business School Head Prof Simon Wilkie.
As head of procurement for Nando’s Australia and New Zealand, it would be easy to assume Cynthia Chung spends every work day sitting behind her desk.
But the reality couldn’t be further from the truth for the 2023 Monash Business School Alumni Excellence Award recipient.
Responsible for sourcing everything from delicious food to restaurant decor, Ms Chung’s job has taken her from the bustling streets of China, India and Indonesia to the tranquil rural landscapes of southern Africa.
However, it is the purpose behind those voyages she finds most rewarding.
“I’m responsible for negotiating all the contracts for everything we buy, and a key part of that is ensuring we are partnering with suppliers that are sustainable and ethical so that our values resonate throughout our supply chain,” she said.
“Working with Nando’s has been an incredible journey, in more ways than one.”
Nourishing lives and communities
Ms Chung said it was a privilege to work for a purpose-led company that empowered her to positively impact disadvantaged communities.
“Our mission is Changing Lives Together, and I’m incredibly proud of the work we do through a range of programs around the world, and locally, to make a real difference,” she said.
That includes helping tackle one of the world’s deadliest diseases: malaria.
“We raise money to support spraying programs to eradicate malaria in villages in southern Africa,” she said.
“It’s amazing how something so simple can have such a profound impact on people’s lives."
Nando’s also supports small-scale farmers in Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa to grow African bird’s eye chilli for their signature Peri Peri sauce.
“We teach local farmers how to run their businesses successfully, and then we buy back their produce at market rates,” she said.
“Because of this program, these farmers can send their kids to school, buy a vehicle, and have better access to healthcare and housing - it truly transforms lives and communities.”
Closer to home, the organisation partners with local and national food relief charities to combat food wastage by redistributing leftover products.
“I ensure my work feeds directly into Nando’s mission through our procurement – for example by supporting Indigenous-owned businesses to create jobs for underrepresented communities,” she said.
‘You’ll never regret investing in your own growth’
Ms Chung began her career working for IBM in Malaysia, where she rose through the ranks to become Country Procurement Team Leader.
But she said it was her decision to relocate to Australia to study an MBA at Monash Business School that really helped her career take off.
The move led to senior positions at Ford, Cadbury Schweppes and Australia Post, before landing her current role at Nando’s eight years ago.
“The training I received has been invaluable to my career, giving me a much broader perspective and enabling me to change industries relatively effortlessly,” she said.
“For anyone considering whether they should do an MBA, I have one message: You’ll never regret investing in your own growth and education, you’ll reap the benefits for the rest of your life.”
It also put her in touch with an “amazing” international network of alumni.
That sense of community inspired her involvement in the Monash Industry and Alumni Mentoring program – an experience she enthusiastically encourages fellow alumni to explore.
“I feel energised by talking to the young people, I’m blown away by their drive and determination,” she said.
“It’s a real honour to be involved, and to be able to give something back to the Monash community.”
Award puts spotlight on diversity
Ms Chung said she was honoured to be named this year’s Monash Business School Alumni Excellence Award recipient.
The award, announced at the inaugural Monash Business School Dean’s Gala Dinner on 12 October, was established in 2017 to celebrate alumni who have achieved excellence in their profession and made a significant impact in the business world and beyond.
Passionate about leveraging her professional achievements to promote the benefits of diversity, Ms Chung said the recognition would help serve as a visible role model for women from multicultural backgrounds.
“Growing up, I never saw leaders who looked like me, so I never thought of myself as a leader - you cannot be what you cannot see,” she said.
“I want to be a leader for my daughter and for other women of colour, to inspire them to become leaders.
“For me, winning this award really shines a light on the importance of diversity.”