Top alumnus led the way into Asian Century

With a business degree in Modern Asian Studies in his briefcase, Greg Story left Griffith University in 1978 ready to take on the world. In the three decades since his graduation, Dr Story forged a flourishing career in Japan to become a leading figure in the country’s banking sector. Today he is president of Dale Carnegie Training in Japan.

He returned last week to his alma mater to collect the 2012 Griffith Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award. He was joined on stage by Gold Coast entrepreneur Monique Jeremiah who received the Young Outstanding Alumnus award at a gala dinner held at Brisbane’s Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“These are two fine examples of how a business degree can open doors to a world of opportunity,” Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) Professor Michael Powell said. “Greg Story’s stellar career in Japan demonstrates the original and enduring aims of our Asian studies program, to produce students capable of engaging with Asian society and culture in rewarding and meaningful ways.”

Dr Story started his own consulting business in Japan in the late 1980s, after continuing his education in Tokyo. He returned to Australia in 1989 to run the Queensland office of Japanese business Jones Lang Wooten.

He was back in Japan by the early 1990s to open the Austrade operation in Nagoya, acting as Consul and Trade Commissioner and later as Senior Trade Commissioner and Consul General in Osaka.

His career would take him to one of Japan’s largest financial institutions, Shinsei Bank, where he would rise through the ranks and establish the Shinsei Business School.

He was appointed NAB’s senior representative in Japan in 2007, and chairman of the Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan the following year.

Young Alumnus

Young Outstanding Alumnus Monique Jeremiah graduated with a business degree in 2008. Her passion for business and education led her to establish Exceptional Tuition and Resumes, a personal home tutoring business on the Gold Coast.

She has since expanded the business and is now director of Exceptional Group offering training, tuition, resume and graduate recruitment services to the Gold Coast.

In January Ms Jeremiah was named the 2012 Gold Coast Young Citizen of the Year and was a finalist in the 2012 Australian Small Business Champion Awards in both the Educational Services and Young Small Business Champion categories.

“Monique’s impact on the Gold Coast shows the influence our graduates are having in the community,” Professor Powell said. “The awards highlight sustained contributions to the industries and professions where they have dedicated their energies and also celebrate how our graduates influence the world for the better.”

Dr Story and Ms Jeremiah follow in the footsteps of previous winners Stephen Gregg, chair of Tourism Queensland; Phillip Di Bella, owner and founder of Di Bella Coffee; Fabienne Wintle, founder of web marketing site Untanglemyweb.com; Clinton Dines, former president of BHP Billiton China; and Judy Spence, former Queensland Police Minister.