High flying and well-heeled; the Griffith Business School has honoured two extraordinary women in the 2015 Outstanding Alumni Awards.
Annabelle Chaplain, Chairman of Queensland Airports Ltd which owns and manages airports on the Gold Coast, Townsville, Mt Isa and Longreach, is the 2015 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.
The Young Outstanding Alumnus of the Year is Jodie Fox, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of global company, Shoes of Prey.
Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) Professor Michael Powell congratulated the winners at the tenth Annual AlumniGalaDinnerand Awards ceremony in Brisbane.
“I would like to acknowledge these extraordinary women who show such strong business leadership not only in Queensland but around the world,” Professor Powell said.
A delighted Ms Chaplain was present to accept her award.
“Thank you to Griffith and Professor Powell. What a wonderful education you provided for so many people and I am very grateful for this award tonight,” Annabelle Chaplain said.
Annabelle was a foundation student of Griffith, joining the first intake of students in 1975 to begin Modern Asian Studies. On completing her Bachelor of Asian & International Studies majoring in Economics and Mandarin, she travelled to Taipei to deepen her understanding of Chinese culture and business.
Upon returning to Australia in 1980, Annabelle joined Barclays Australia where she began a career spanning more than 20 years in investment banking working in treasury, project and corporate lending roles.
“The brilliant lecturers I had so long ago were an inspiration and my time at Griffith has been a terrific platform for the career I have enjoyed,” Annabelle said.
“To me Griffith University has always offered something different; a high quality alternative to sandstone.”
Young Outstanding Alumnus of the Year,Jodie Fox, graduated from Griffith with a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Business in 2004 and has since built a multi-million dollar global empire.
“I am so grateful to be receiving this award. It is an enormous honour.
“I chose to come to Griffith because it was the only University to offer a Bachelor of International Business and I truly needed a global focus for the things I imagined I might be able to achieve. It has served me well.”
“The business, Shoes of Prey, which I started with my two co-founders has truly become a global entity. We have shipped to 92 countries in the past 2 months and raised $US2 million. We now have offices all over the world including our new headquarters in Santa Monica.
“It has been an amazing journey.”
This year’s Griffith Business School AlumniGalaDinnerwas the last for outgoing Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Powell who will retire in January.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Martin Betts acknowledged the tremendous contribution Professor Powell has made to Griffith University and its alumni program.
“On behalf of the University, and all those who have studied at the Griffith Business School over the past 10 and a half years, I thank you for your extraordinary leadership,” Professor Betts said.