‘Creativity with a strategic mindset’: 2025 Tony Palmer Award winner

6 October 2025

2025 Tony Palmer Award recipient Lily Gray.

From piano to dancing, Lily Gray has always had a creative bent.

However, it wasn’t until she started her first marketing subject at Monash Business School that she realised how well her strengths aligned with the field.

“I’m analytical, curious, and creative, and I found that naturally fit with marketing,” the Bachelor of Business graduate said.

“Marketing allows me to combine my creativity with a strategic mindset, which suits me perfectly.”

Now part of the graduate program at David Jones, she is thriving on the variety.

"We rotate roles every six months, which gives me a broad, business-wide perspective,” Ms Gray said. “I really prioritise continuous learning and growth.”

Her commitment to learning goes hand-in-hand with her conviction that adaptability is the most vital skill for marketers in retail.

“While all marketing requires flexibility, retail is particularly dynamic,” she said. “You need to stay curious and be open to constant change if you want to succeed.”

What excites her most is the pace of change and the promise of new technologies.

“AI is going to transform marketing, and I want to be at the forefront of that,” she said.

'Push yourself and embrace new challenges’

Ms Gray said the business school’s Industry and Alumni Mentoring Program had been pivotal in shaping her career direction.

“I was able to network and connect with industry professionals and alumni who helped shape my career planning,” she said.

“It’s something I hope to give back to in the future as a mentor.”

Her extracurricular work proved equally formative. Volunteering with FoodFilled, a student-founded food rescue charity, left a lasting impression.

“That volunteering experience really shaped my personal aspiration to give back,” she said.

“It allowed me to see firsthand how marketing can have a positive impact on communities and causes.”

Support from staff and peers was also crucial to her success.

“Completing a degree requires resilience, and having that support was essential in helping me succeed,” she said.

She encourages new students to seize every opportunity.

“Take on as many opportunities as possible,” she said. “Push yourself and embrace challenges – they will help shape your career aspirations.”

A career-shaping opportunity

As the 2025 Tony Palmer Award recipient, Ms Gray joins an impressive list of Monash marketing graduates recognised for outstanding potential.

“I was incredibly honoured and surprised. It definitely felt like recognition not only of my academic achievements but also of what I was able to accomplish during my time at university,” she said.

Will Feutrill, chair of the Department of Marketing Industry Advisory Board, said Ms Gray stood out for her creativity, strategic thinking and commitment to making a difference.

“Lily impressed the panel with her ability to combine creativity with clear, practical thinking,” he said.

“She approaches challenges with energy and curiosity, and she’s shown a real commitment to using her skills to benefit others.”

Established in 2009, the award includes a year-long mentorship with Tony Palmer, a celebrated Monash alumnus whose career spans senior leadership roles in global consumer goods and retail.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to be mentored by Tony Palmer,” Ms Gray said. “His career aligns closely with the kind of marketer I aspire to be, and I’m eager to learn about the decisions that shaped his career and how I can apply those lessons to my own journey.”