‘Monash offers so many amazing experiences’: 2024 Tony Palmer Award winner

May 23 2024

Tony Palmer Award winner Oshani Paranagama.

With her natural aptitude for numbers, 2024 Tony Palmer Award-winner Oshani Paranagama seemed destined for a career in accounting.

But her desire for a creative outlet steered her down a different path – one that led straight to the Marketing Department at Monash University’s Peninsula campus.

“I’ve always been good with numbers, but I also love the creative process,” the Bachelor of Business Administration graduate said.

“I realised marketing was one of the few jobs that would allow me to use both those skills, but I really didn’t have any idea what industry I wanted to work in.”

Determined to explore her options, Ms Paranagama embraced every opportunity that came her way at Monash.

Building a marketing mindset

Her quest to find her marketing niche took her on two impactful Global Study programs.

The first leg of her adventure landed her in South Korea, where she immersed herself in the Seoul marketing scene.

“It was definitely the most challenging subject I had, but it was a steep learning curve that really helped get me to where I am today,” she said.

Seeking to broaden her horizons even further, she spent a winter semester at Monash University's Prato campus in Italy exploring the European economy, business, and culture.

Four diverse internships – at the Monash Food Innovation Centre, a boutique food business, a financial services company, and an aged care start-up – provided her with invaluable hands-on experience.

“These internships were amazing; they gave me really broad experiences that helped me understand where I wanted to work after graduation,” she said.

'I get to wear many hats'

Today, Ms Paranagama is a rising star at Circana, a leading market research company in the fast-moving consumer goods space.

Thriving in her role as an Associate Consultant, she enjoys the multifaceted nature of her work.

“I get to wear many hats – there’s the analytical side, the commercial aspect, and building strong client relationships – and they are equally important,” she said.

She credits the supportive faculty at Monash as being crucial to her success.

“The reason I have this job is largely due to the support I received at Monash – my lecturers believed in me, even when I sometimes doubted myself,” she said.

Inspired by her positive experience, Ms Paranagama now actively shares her knowledge with new students as a guest speaker at events.

“Giving back to the Monash community is important to me,” she said.

“There are a lot of things I wish I’d known when I started out at Monash, and now I'm in a position to help students who are just starting out.”

Her advice is simple: Seize every opportunity.

“Monash University offers so many amazing experiences – make the most of every single one of them,” she said.

A life-changing opportunity

Oshani Paranagama with Tony Palmer.

This year, Ms Paranagama added an impressive new entry to her resume: the prestigious Tony Palmer Award for Marketing.

Established in 2009 by industry legend Tony Palmer himself, the award recognises and empowers outstanding marketing graduates from Monash Business School.

“Winning the award was a complete surprise – it's definitely the biggest achievement of my career so far,” she said.

Department of Marketing Industry Advisory Board Chair John Rizzo said the calibre of this year’s finalists was testament to the impact of the Department and Monash Business School.

“The panel was impressed with the conviction and persistence Oshani has demonstrated in developing herself as a person, leader, coach and marketer,” he said.

“Her actions illustrate her desire to give back to the Monash community, to create the best possible environment and support, in particular for those facing disadvantage.”

As well as a cash prize, the recipient receives the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of a year-long mentorship with Mr Palmer, a proud Monash alumni whose career is a masterclass in success.

Currently an Operating Partner at One Rock Capital Partners, the global business leader, board member, and entrepreneur has helped steer consumer giants Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg's, and Coca-Cola to new heights.

“Like me, Tony Palmer began his career in the consumer goods industry, so I’m really looking forward to his insights,” Ms Paranagama said.

“I'm so eager to learn about the industry, his career path, and the challenges he faced and overcame.”

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