In a demonstration of social responsibility and leadership, Griffith Business School is proud to once again support the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, with a team of senior leadership staff members and alumni taking part for the third consecutive year. On Thursday 19 June, these leaders will trade their warm beds for a night on cold concrete, helping raise vital funds and awareness for Australians experiencing homelessness.
This year’s Griffith Business School team led by Professor Caitlin Byrne, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) also includes:
- Professor Martin Berka, Dean (Academic)
- Professor Andreas Chai
- Professor Alberto Posso
- Associate Professor Alexandr Akimov
- Professor Robyn Cameron
- Chrystal Coughlan, PhD student, former GBS Student Leader and St Vincent de Paul volunteer
- Alvin Yap, former GBS Student Leader
Their commitment reflects the School’s deeply held values of responsible leadership and community engagement.
“Homelessness is not a distant issue, it is happening in our communities every day,” says Professor Caitlin Byrne, who has been a regular participant since 2022.
“In Queensland alone, we’ve seen a 22% rise in homelessness since 2017, which is nearly three times the national average. Events like the CEO Sleepout are a reminder that we all have a role to play in addressing this crisis.”
The annual CEO Sleepout, led by St Vincent de Paul Society, is more than a symbolic gesture. It raises critical funds that go directly toward services like emergency accommodation, food, healthcare, and pathways out of poverty for vulnerable Australians. Last year, the event raised over $8.9 million nationally.
Professor Martin Berka, Dean (Academic), said participating in the Sleepout was both humbling and necessary.
“As leaders in business education, we have a responsibility to not only teach economic and social principles but to live them. Sleeping out, even for just one night, helps us better understand the urgency of the housing crisis and reinforces our commitment to driving real-world change through research, policy, and community action.”
The School’s involvement doesn’t end with one night. Through research initiatives like the Social and Affordable Housing Research Cluster, Griffith Business School actively investigates long-term solutions to the housing crisis. The School also fosters a culture of responsible leadership among students and alumni, many of whom are engaged in volunteering and community work during and beyond their studies.
PhD student and former GBS Student Leader Chrystal Coughlan is a passionate supporter of Vinnies. “Being part of the CEO Sleepout and helping raise funds for such a vital cause is a powerful way to give back,” she says. “Griffith Business School’s focus on social responsibility has shaped my career and personal mission.”
If you’d like to support Griffith Business School’s team in their mission to make a difference, you can donate here:
https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/griffithbiz
