Our outstanding alumni honoured at 2024 Dean’s Awards
24 October 2024
Seven remarkable Monash Business School alumni have been honoured at the annual Dean’s Alumni Awards.
From tackling environmental challenges to driving social impact, these graduates are harnessing their talents to make a difference on a global scale.
This year, the Dean’s Alumni Awards were expanded from one to six categories, reflecting the growing influence of our alumni at various stages of their professional journey.
They were presented at the Dean’s Gala Dinner last night, where guests were treated to Seresilk beauty samples and Wonki refreshments, created by business school graduates.
Professor Simon Wilkie, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics said this year’s recipients were a collective force for good, taking on huge global and national challenges including Net Zero targets, Indigenous healthcare, medical research leadership, and more.
“They are remarkable leaders who are making impactful and lasting contributions to government, business, education and the not-for-profit sector,” Prof Wilkie said.
“I am very proud to call this exceptional group of people Monash Business School alumni.”
Meet our award recipients
Emerging Talent Award: Matthias Muehlbauer
Matthias Muehlbauer, winner of the
Emerging Talent Award.
As co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of OnePointFive, Matthias Muehlbauer is a force for change in the climate action landscape.
With an MBA from Yale and a background in management consulting, he has led sustainability projects for Fortune 500 companies and shaped climate investment strategies for high-profile leaders.
His research on the future climate workforce led to the OnePointFive Academy, which trains thousands worldwide to meet Net Zero targets.
“We believe that without investing in the workforce of the future, we risk missing critical Net Zero targets,” he said.
The 2013 Master of Professional Accounting graduate said Monash shaped his approach to leadership and innovation.
“The relationships I built from the Monash Business School and within the Monash community have made a lasting impact on my career and shaped the leader I am today,” he said.
Professional Achievement Award: Laura Parr
Laura Parr, winner of the Professional
Achievement Award.
Moving from the superannuation industry to the fast-paced world of technology was a turning point in Laura Parr’s career – a pivot she credits to her MBA in Business Administration.
Now a Senior Strategy and Insights Manager at Google Melbourne, she has been instrumental in launching initiatives that boost team performance and foster inclusivity.
“I never dreamed that I’d work in tech, and my MBA studies helped to broaden my skill set and experience,” she said.
“The program made me more well-rounded and more aware of my transferable skills, like strategic thinking, communication and influence, collaboration, problem-solving, and curiosity.”
Her passion for sustainability is reflected in her work with The Nature Conservancy, where she leads fundraising and champions women in conservation.
Ms Parr remains connected to her roots at Monash Business School, where she contributes as a speaker, mentor, and committee member.
Impact Award: Karl Briscoe
Karl Briscoe, Dean's Nominee for
the Impact Award.
Karl Briscoe believes in the power of self-determination and the importance of Indigenous voices in the healthcare system.
As CEO of the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP), the proud Kuku Yalanji man has expanded the organisation’s reach, driving global collaborations and advocating for culturally safe care.
A Master of Indigenous Business Leadership graduate, he said his studies taught him to blend Western business concepts with Indigenous perspectives to pave the way for meaningful change.
“(I want to) leave behind a legacy for others to surpass, while mentoring and coaching the next cohort of leaders to address the health disparities that our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities are faced with,” he said.
Impact Award: Michael Zervos
Michael Zervos, winner of the
Impact Award.
Michael Zervos OAM has dedicated his career to standing up for what’s right.
The CEO of Courage to Care has helped teach more than 175,000 Victorian students about the dangers of racism, antisemitism and hate speech.
“As a business graduate, I apply the principle that investing in educating our younger generations will have a strong social return on that investment,” he said.
His dedication to social justice spans three decades, with key roles at the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Alannah and Madeline Foundation, and Guide Dogs Victoria earning him a 2023 King’s Birthday Honours Order of Australia.
“I am most proud of my time in the not-for-profit sector,” he said.
“Being able to align my professional skills and experience to mission-driven outcomes has been very rewarding.”
Community Award: Mangala Prasetia
Mangala Prasetia, winner of the
Community Award.
Mangala Prasetia’s commitment to making a positive social impact is as impressive as his corporate achievements.
As a Business Data Steward at National Australia Bank and a board member for Beta Alpha Psi and GovHack International, he skillfully balances his career with a passion for community service.
Since graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce and Economics in 2019, Mr Prasetia has represented the business school at open days and Accounting Week, mentored students and promoted the school to his global audience of more than 12,000 LinkedIn followers.
“Being part of the Dean’s Scholarship Program, the Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Leadership Program and the Monash Actuarial Students’ Society were highlights during my time at Monash,” he said.
“These involvements underscored the importance of service-oriented leadership and a global mindset, which continues to shape my leadership approach today.”
Indigenous Award: Indi Clarke
Indi Clarke, winner of the
Indigenous Award.
Indi Clarke’s advocacy for Indigenous rights has made him a prominent voice in the community.
As Executive Officer of the Koorie Youth Council (KYC) he empowered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and paved the way for self-determination through initiatives like Ngaga-dji and Marram Nganyin.
Now working at ABSTARR Consulting and a member of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, the proud Mutti Mutti, Wemba Wemba, Boon Wurrung, Trawlwoolway, and Lardil man continues to champion justice and equality.
“To be in positions where I can facilitate and enable space for community and others is something I hold dear and a position I don't take lightly and with great honour,” he said.
A graduate of the inaugural Master of Indigenous Business Leadership in 2023, Mr Clarke said the program made him stronger and more confident.
“The ability to study alongside our incredible group of First Nations brothers and sisters and business leaders was truly special,” he said.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Prof Barbora de Courten
Prof Barbora de Courten, winner of
the Lifetime Achievement Award.
With a PhD in epidemiology, a Master of Public Health, adjunct professorships at Monash and Queensland universities, and a distinguished professorship at the RMIT Centre for Health, Professor Barbora de Courten’s career is a testament to the power of continuous learning.
In 2021, she added another string to her academic bow with a Global Executive Master of Business Administration that “fundamentally transformed” her approach to leadership.
Widely recognised for her research on chronic inflammation and type 2 diabetes, Prof de Courten has published more than 220 peer-reviewed articles and was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal for her contributions to medical research and healthcare.
But her true passion lies in nurturing the next generation.
“My greatest pride lies in the achievements of my PhD students and early career researchers,” she said.
“They uphold the legacy of collaborative, transdisciplinary medical research and serve as an inspiration to the next generation of students, clinicians, and researchers.”