Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, early morning safaris with his dad were a highlight of his week.

With the morning air still and golden light melting across the savanna, herds of elephants and towers of giraffes moved through the grasslands.

Watching these animals in their natural habitats, moving at their own pace, left Harman in a state of wonder. He came to understand that this place and its flora and fauna, were something to be respected.

“It’s just you and these wild animals.”

It was in these quiet moments that something began to take hold. Not just a love for wildlife, but a deeper sense of connection.

A young Harman capturing a leopard while on safari with his family in Kenya.

But when his dad passed away in 2013, that world shifted. The places were familiar, yet the feeling of being there was different.

In the midst of that grief, Harman still returned to what he knew – the wilderness.

However, this time he saw it through a different lens.

Picking up a camera, Harman found a way to preserve precious memories, and in doing so, discovered a powerful outlet for healing and connection.

“My dad loved leopards,” Harman says.

Harman said each image became a quiet act of remembrance. A way of keeping both memory and meaning alive in a world where so much is fleeting.

For Harman, capturing leopards has been a way for him to connect with his Dad.

On one of their final safari trips together, a photographer – who would later become Harman’s mentor – captured some of the last images of Harman and his family with his father.

At the time, they were simply photos.

Years later, when those images found their way back, they became something far more significant – a tangible fragment of a moment they could never return to.

What began as a chance meeting, unfolded into a mentorship grounded in patience, curiosity and time in the field.

Every Sunday, the two would return to Nairobi National Park. Long days of waiting and quiet observation.

It wasn’t about chasing the perfect shot. It was about learning to see and notice the small shifts, the subtle movements, the moments most people would miss.

Capturing once-in-a-lifetime photos often requires patience and quite observation.

Over time, photography became more than a skill. It became a constant.

Years later, that patience would be tested elsewhere.

Deep in the dense, rain-soaked forests of South India, Harman and his mum set out in search of one of the rarest animals in the world, the elusive black leopard.

Drive after drive, there was nothing.

The rain fell steadily. The forest closed in. And slowly, doubt began to creep in.

But something told him to keep going.

And then, just as the light began to fade, there he was, perched quietly in a tree.

Harman captured one of the rarest animals in the world, the black leopard, in South India.

A moment so rare, so fleeting, it could have been missed entirely.

Life eventually led Harman far from the landscapes that shaped him.

Moving to Perth, he spent six years at Curtin completing a BA in International Relations and Affairs and a Masters in Professional Writing and Publishing.

At his February graduation, Harman shared an important message with his peers: “Don’t wait for clarity or certainty before you move forward; step beyond what feels comfortable. Trust that growth often begins where certainty ends,” he said.

In the future, Harman hopes to combine his love for writing with his passion for photography.

Harman also hopes to continue his safari business, Mzuri Safaris.

Co-founded in 2023 with his friend, Nili Gudhka, Mzuri was designed to bring Africa’s wilderness closer to people around the world.

“I’ve seen guests cry at the sight of their first elephant or leopard,’’ he said.

Harman’s most favourite photo, a lioness in the sunset.

For Harman, photography has always been more than making ends meet. It’s been a way of life.

His biggest piece of advice for those wanting to follow their passion?

“Just do it. Many people will sit on a passion they want to pursue and will be too scared to jump on it,’’ he said.

“Honestly, there will never be a right time – you have to decide if this is something you really want to pursue and then do it.”

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That courage began in the 1980’s – when Marion took a brave leap of faith and left an abusive relationship in search of safety and a fresh start.

“I was in a very violent relationship in Sydney, and it seemed to me the only way I could truly be safe was to move somewhere he couldn’t find me,” she said.

At the time, domestic violence was rarely spoken about openly, and many women carried their shame in silence.

“Back then, most women didn’t go to the police. You didn’t tell anybody,” she reflected.

Starting again in a new city required extraordinary strength, but Marion slowly rebuilt her life, career and confidence – proving to herself that she was capable of far more than the limitations others had placed upon her.

Over the decades that followed, she would go on to play a significant role in shaping Perth’s economic and cultural landscape, while advocating for fair, inclusive and accessible opportunities for women.

But long before her leadership roles, Marion’s values were shaped by the strong women who surrounded her growing up.

Among them was her grandmother – a quiet but formidable influence whose determination left a lasting impression.

“At the time, her career was quite unusual,” Marion said.

Inspired by this example of independence, Marion began her career in banking before moving into the credit union sector, a path that eventually brought her to Perth to work in the emerging Information Technology (IT) industry.

“It was very male-dominated, and women like myself were mostly in support roles,” she said.

“But it was still an opportunity, and I learned a lot.”

Like many women, Marion also experienced the challenges of balancing work and family when she welcomed her first child.

“At the time, there was an assumption that if you became pregnant, you would simply stay home to care for your child whilst your husband went to work,” she said.

“I did for a while, but financial circumstances meant returning to work earlier than I hoped.”

That experience deepened her understanding of the structural barriers many women face – particularly when it comes to childcare and career progression.

During her time as Executive Director at the Committee for Perth, Marion saw first-hand how these challenges limited women’s opportunities.

“That made it incredibly difficult for women to return to work full-time or move into leadership roles.”

While progress has been made over the years, Marion believes true equality still requires continued effort.

Today, Australia’s national gender pay gap remains significant, and many boards still lack a balance of female representation.

Marion has also observed the long-term consequences for women who spent decades working but still struggle with financial security later in life.

“I was part of the first generation of women who were told we could do anything – but the systems around us didn’t always support that promise.”

Despite these challenges, Marion remains hopeful.

At the heart of real change, she believes, is something simple yet powerful: respect.

“And when they flourish, society benefits as a whole.”

Today, Marion dedicates much of her time to mentoring and coaching emerging leaders – particularly young women navigating their own careers.

It is a role she finds deeply rewarding.

“There’s something incredibly special about women who support other women,” she said.

Watching others grow and discover their potential is one of the most fulfilling parts of her work.

When it comes to leadership, Marion believes courage is one of the most important qualities young women can develop.

“In leadership, you will make decisions that not everyone agrees with,” she said.

Looking back on her own journey, Marion says she would offer her younger self a simple piece of advice.

“Take every opportunity,” she said.

“And if the opportunity doesn’t exist – create it.”

Marion Fulker AM, Non-Executive Director, Executive Coach & Mentor

Graduating from Curtin with a Master of Business Administration (2009), Marion is a trusted thought leader, strategic advisor and transformational chair, with more than 20 years’ experience working across a range of diverse sectors. Marion’s leadership has been recognised with the Order of Australia, the John Curtin Lifetime Achievement Award and Induction into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame. She is also a member of Chief Executive Women and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

For many people in their early 40s, writing a gift into their Will is something reserved for much later in life.

However, for Curtin MBA alumnus Roger Chao, that is something worth acting on now.

A distinguished governance expert, entrepreneur, board strategist and advocate for social justice, Roger has spent much of his life thinking deeply about responsibility – not just to his profession, but to society.

That thinking inspired him to make an extraordinary commitment: to leave a significant gift to Curtin University in his Will, investing in the students, researchers and ideas that will shape a better future long after he is gone.

It is a decision grounded not in recognition, but in gratitude, duty and a conviction that one generation should leave society stronger for the next.

Born in Australia to immigrant parents, Roger has always been deeply aware of the opportunities education made possible in his own life.

That belief has shaped the way Roger sees the world.

Across a career spanning more than two decades, he has worked across corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors in areas including health, education, sustainability and emerging technologies – fields he is drawn to because they help determine whether a society is merely productive or genuinely decent, and whether prosperity is built without quietly stealing from the future.

Yet beneath the titles and achievements sits a simple guiding question: who is better off because I did this work?

It is the same question that sits at the heart of his decision to support Curtin through a legacy gift – if education widened opportunity in his own life, what would an honourable response look like for those who come next?

For Roger, education is one of the most powerful forces for fairness in society. It can widen opportunity, soften disadvantage and unlock talent that might otherwise go unrealised.

“If you truly value something, you don’t leave your support for it to chance.”

Roger completed a Diploma of Business and MBA at Curtin University, drawn to the University’s broad subject offerings and flexible delivery, which allowed him to study while working full-time. But what stayed with him most was not only the academic content – it was the mindset Curtin fostered – that intellectual attainment carried civic obligations, and that competence without integrity is not merely hollow but dangerous.

He speaks warmly of the diversity of people he encountered through the program, from different industries and backgrounds, and of the realisation that education is never just about personal advancement.

“Learning isn’t separate from responsibility,” he said.

That long-view thinking has become central to how Roger leads.

In high-stakes environments, he believes leadership is not about ego or numbers, but about staying calm in complexity, seeking truth with discipline, and never losing sight of the people behind the data.

“Every number is a person,” he said.

“It’s a patient, a student, a staff member, a family, a community. Good leadership means asking who is affected, how they are affected, and what we owe them.”

That same people-first philosophy underpins his gift to Curtin.

Roger hopes his future bequest will do more than inspire. He wants it to make a practical difference – helping ease the burdens that can quietly derail a student’s potential and creating room for research that may one day transform lives.

“When those pressures ease, even slightly, students can show up more fully and meet their potential.”

He believes the same principle applies to research, where the public good often depends on whether people are given room to ask difficult, unfashionable and ethically necessary questions.

Good research, he says, requires time, courage and the freedom to ask difficult questions – including the ones that do not fit neatly into current funding priorities.

“Some of the most valuable work starts with a question that doesn’t fit into any category and isn’t of immediate interest at the time,” he said.

At a life stage when many are focused on building careers and raising families, Roger is also thinking generations ahead.

Not because he believes legacy belongs only to the wealthy or the elderly, but because he believes values should be acted on while there is time and clarity to do so.

For years, he admits, legacy was something he assumed he would think about later. But witnessing how quickly life can change shifted his perspective.

Roger does not describe his gift as generosity. Instead, he sees it as duty – a way of strengthening the same institutions that helped him succeed, so others can have the same chance to thrive.

“I don’t think about it as generosity for generosity’s sake,” he said.

“I think about the difference it can make. Individuals benefit through education, but society benefits too, because those individuals go on to shape healthcare, technology, communities and the future.”

For Roger, legacy isn’t what you leave behind – but who is better off because you were here.

For more information or to discuss the possibility of leaving a gift to Curtin University, please contact Alana Hammond on alana.hammond@curtin.edu.au or +61 8 9266 3839.

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Long before thousands of West Australians relaxed on bean bags and picnic rugs under the stars at Movies by Burswood (now known as Community Cinemas) Founder Ken Gibbons was a young boy playing imaginary drive-ins in his backyard.

To the Curtin Applied Science graduate, movies were never just about entertainment – it was an experience that brought people together.

“When I was a kid I would go to the outdoor drive-ins with my family,” Ken said.

“We’d always be nicely dressed, and it would be a real sense of occasion.”

Ken said a cherished memory from his childhood was him sitting in a dark movie theatre with a group of strangers – all laughing and gasping at the same time and all sharing the same excitement.

Those early memories left a lasting impression and quietly planted the seeds for something much bigger.

Today, Ken is the proud founder of four Community Cinema locations around Perth – Bassendean, Burswood, Joondalup and Murdoch.

What began as a simple idea has grown into a much-loved family experience every summer.

Movies at Burswood ((now known as Community Cinemas) is a much-loved family experience in Perth.

Over the past 25 years the volunteer-powered initiative has raised a staggering $14 million dollars for children’s charities across WA.

This year, in recognition of this extraordinary contribution to the community, Ken was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2026 Australia Day Honours.

“I was truly humbled by the award. But I don’t do this for recognition,’’ he said.

“People rarely walk out unchanged. They’re usually laughing or smiling.”

Ken said his passion for cinema from his childhood, followed him into his student years at Curtin’s predecessor, the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT).

Deeply involved in student life, Ken served two years as Student Guild President and alongside student leadership, he found another way to bring people together – through movies.

Ken’s idea for an outdoor cinema in Perth was planted during his time at Curtin.

Using the Curtin Hollis Theatre lecture hall, he began screening classic films for students to watch during their lunch break.

“You could say the idea for an outdoor cinema in Perth, was planted during my time at Curtin,’’ he said.

Ken said titles like Casablanca drew uni crowds looking for a break from lectures and assignments.

One particularly memorable night saw Ken squeeze 595 people into a 250-seat lecture theatre for a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Looking back, Ken realised those early film nights were more than just student entertainment.

“The formula really evolved at Curtin,” he said.

Years later, that idea would return in a very different setting.

In the late 1990s, Ken began to notice something missing in Perth’s entertainment scene. Outdoor cinemas existed, but few were designed with families in mind.

Community Cinemas was designed with families in mind.

“There wasn’t really a place where families could come along with blankets, pillows and a picnic,” he said.

“Somewhere the kids could fall asleep while the adults enjoyed the movie.”

At the time, Ken was heavily involved in fundraising for the Kids’ Cancer Support Group at Princess Margaret Hospital and was always looking for new ways to support children and families facing difficult circumstances.

During a dinner with friends, the conversation turned to the idea of creating a family-friendly outdoor cinema.

Encouraged by his friends to make it happen, Ken decided to take the leap.

The next step was convincing the Burswood Park Board.

Ken approached them with a bold proposal: allow him to run an outdoor cinema on the Burswood foreshore during Perth’s busy summer months – and do it without paying rent.

Without hesitation, the board said yes.

And with that, Movies by Burswood was born.

Movies at Burswood began as a small fundraising initiative, and has since grown into a cherished Perth summer tradition with hundreds of volunteers.

Despite losing money in the first year, and breaking even the following year – Ken persisted.

Slowly but surely, word spread and families returned each summer.

More and more volunteers stepped forward to help.

What began as a small fundraising initiative gradually evolved into one of Perth’s most cherished summer traditions with over 700 volunteers.

Ken is quick to point out that his Order of Australia Medal belongs to everyone who helped make Community Cinemas possible.

“I accepted the award this year on behalf of the many volunteers and supporters who have been part of our journey,” he said.

“For me, movies have been so much more than what appears on screen. They are an escapism.

“If people can come together and have a positive experience, that’s a good thing, but if we can raise money to help children in need at the same time – well that’s the icing on the cake.”

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For William Peucker, discovering graphic design wasn’t just about finding a career – it was about coming home.

A proud Bardi man from the Pender Bay region in Western Australia, Will is in his final semester of a Bachelor of Design at Curtin University.

Thanks to the generosity of a stranger and the support of a Curtin Moorditj Maaman Scholarship, he’s been able to fully dedicate himself to his studies – and to a future grounded in art, healing, and community.

“Growing up, I never imagined I’d be in the position I am today,” Will said.

Raised in Esperance after spending his early childhood travelling around Australia, Will grew up disconnected from culture.

“My connection comes from my dad’s side, but my parents weren’t really connected to it either. I didn’t grow up knowing that part of myself,’’ he said.

That began to change when he arrived at Curtin and joined St Catherine’s College Dandjoo Darbalung program – a unique initiative supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through culturally safe accommodation and community.

Will with Program Coordinator at Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Brendon DeGois at the 2025 Curtin Scholarships Event.

There, Will found more than a place to live.

He found mob who embraced him with open arms – regardless of how strong or recent his cultural connection was.

“That’s where my journey of reconnection really began,” he said.

Last year, that reconnection deepened with a powerful return to Country.

Travelling to back to country in the Dampier Peninsula, Will experienced a profound sense of belonging.

“It was healing being able to reconnect to country and meet my Aunty who was so warm and welcoming.”

Will with Aunty saving a pelican on Country.

It was actually at sunrise on the shores of Pender Bay in Dampier, that Will proposed to his partner.

Will proposing to his partner on Country.

Will’s journey into design wasn’t straight forward.

Like many young people, he initially followed the path others had mapped out – enrolling in engineering under the growing push for STEM careers.
But something didn’t feel right.

A gentle nudge from his partner to consider graphic design ended up the shift he needed, and from the first semester on, he knew he’d found his purpose.

Today, Will’s design work is shaped by culture, lived experience, and an unwavering commitment to uplift others.

His style is bold, honest and deeply personal – and eventually he hopes to build a platform that gives voice to other Indigenous creatives.

Will said the Moorditj Maaman Scholarship had been more than financial support – it’s been the freedom to breathe, focus, and thrive.

“It’s taken so much pressure off,” he says.

That support helped him excel last semester, finishing with a course-weighted average of 79.79 and 90 in a core unit.

Now, with just one unit left, Will is focused on building his portfolio and entering the design industry ready to make a difference.

After graduation, he and his fiancée plan to move to Denmark in WA’s Great Southern – a quiet, creative town where he hopes to establish a collective to support and collaborate with other First Nations artists.

Will on the jetty.

He also plans to return to Country every year to continue learning from Elders, family, and the land –carrying forward the stories and responsibilities entrusted to him by his aunties.

“To anyone who feels like they’re too disconnected or it’s too late – it’s not. It’s never too late,” Will said.

“Opportunities like this scholarship can change your life. Just go for it. You never know where it might take you.”

To learn more about Curtin’s scholarship opportunities, please contact give@curtin.edu.au .

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Dressed in her graduation regalia, Afia Anjum stood beside the stage at Curtin’s 2025 Djiiba Graduations, her heart racing as she waited for her name to be called.

Just weeks earlier, the Master of Architecture student had received news no one is ever prepared for – doctors had found a rare and aggressive tumour.

In an instant, her whole world came crashing down.

Known for her bright smile and gentle spirit, Afia had been counting down the days to graduation, the moment she would walk across the stage with her classmates.

But after beginning chemotherapy, she wasn’t sure she’d be well enough to make it.

“They told me I might only have weeks to live. It honestly felt like an out-of-body experience.”

Despite several gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and its harsh side effects, Afia was determined to be there.

Supported by her husband, friends and fellow graduates, Afia was well enough on her graduation to make that walk.

Afia accepting her Masters of Architecture at the 2025 Curtin Djilba (September) Graduations Ceremony.

“It was such a wonderful feeling,” she said.

A few weeks earlier, Curtin’s graduations team had organised a private ceremony for Afia, in case her health wouldn’t allow her to attend the official event.

While deeply touched by their kindness, nothing compared to the feeling of hearing her name called, walking across the stage, and holding the degree she had worked so hard for.

For Afia, that short walk symbolised so much more than the completion of a degree.

Afia with her husband at her private ceremony organised by the Curtin Graduations team.

It carried the weight of her father’s unwavering encouragement, the fulfilment of her late mother’s dream, and her own extraordinary courage.

That same courage had guided her in 2023 when she left Bangladesh to begin a new life in Australia.

Life in Perth was everything she had wished for.

She was thriving at university, surrounded by new friends, and excited about what lay ahead.

Afia with her friends at her private graduation ceremony.

But in June this year, while completing her final thesis, everything changed.

“I remember feeling tired all the time and losing my appetite,” she said.

“I just thought it was stress. Then one day I became so sick I vomited at least 20 times.

“My husband rushed me to hospital, where they treated me for dehydration and sent me home.”

Days later, after submitting her thesis, Afia collapsed and was rushed back to hospital.

“This time, they did a scan and found a tumour blocking my intestine,” she said.

Since then, Afia has faced hospital visits, countless tests, and more chemotherapy.

Yet through it all, she radiates calm, gratitude and grace.

“I try not to dwell on the negative,” she said.

“I take it one day at a time. If today is sunny, I go outside and enjoy it. If I’m well enough to smile, I smile. That’s how I keep going.

Afia said her husband had been her constant source of strength.

Afia with her husband, who has been her constant source of strength.

“He’s been my rock,” she said. “I couldn’t have done any of this without him.”

With her father and younger brother back home in Bangladesh, Afia is determined to continue to make them proud.

Afia with her family.

“When I got the diagnosis, I didn’t even know how to tell my father.”

It was her father, a civil engineer, who first inspired her to study architecture.

“Growing up, I watched him work with architects, how they combined creativity and practicality to bring ideas to life. It fascinated me,” she said.

“He once told me, ‘You should study architecture,’ and it just made sense. I already loved sketching and had a science background.”

After completing her five-year bachelor’s degree in Bangladesh, Afia decided to pursue her Masters.

“Mum always wanted me to further my education,” Afia said.

Now, even in the face of one of life’s toughest battles, Afia’s strength and optimism continue to inspire everyone around her.

Afia decided to come to Australia to honour her mother’s dream.

She hopes her story reminds others to listen to their bodies and trust their instincts.

“Our body is like an alarm clock – it gives us signals when something’s wrong,” she said.

“We’re often so busy with work or study that we ignore them, especially if they’re subtle.

“While there’s nothing, I could’ve done to prevent my cancer, maybe we could’ve found it sooner.”

Through her remarkable journey, Afia reminds us all that even in moments of deep uncertainty, there’s always space for courage, gratitude – and a smile.

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Breast cancer was always something the Curtin Masters of Physiotherapy graduate took seriously, after her Mum was diagnosed in 2008.

That experience made regular screening a priority because she knew that early detection could save lives. Still, she never really believed it would happen to her.

Expecting to be told that the scans were all clear, Emma was shocked to hear her ultrasound came back abnormal, and she needed a biopsy.

“When my doctor called me to deliver the news that the biopsy results were also abnormal, I was sent into a terrifying spin of panic and distress,’’ she said.

“I couldn’t believe the words that I was hearing.”

Given the cancer’s aggressive nature, Emma’s treatment plan involved a year of intensive interventions, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy.

“I had been working long hours as a physiotherapist at Hollywood Hospital, so it felt very strange to suddenly go from treating patients in the hospital, including those with breast cancer, to becoming a patient myself.

“The situation felt very grim, and I couldn’t see any way forward,” she said.

Despite feeling she was at a low point in her life, Emma was excelling at work, having just been appointed National Chair for the Australian Physiotherapy Association‘s Orthopaedic Group.

Emma was determined not to let her health affect her ability to fulfil this exciting role.

“I was prepared to endure whatever side effects I might have from the treatment; however, losing my hair was one of my biggest fears,” she said.

Fortunately, the cold cap was an absolute game-changer that allowed Emma to keep all her hair during the treatment, boosting her confidence and mental health during a time when she felt so vulnerable.

Refusing to let the diagnosis hold her back, Emma focused on chasing her goals and making the most of every moment.

She was able to return to part-time work at the start of her chemotherapy and continued to play netball.

A few months after her radiotherapy, Emma decided to enter the Ramsay Healthcare Triathlon Pink Series.

“What I did not expect was how much I enjoyed the sense of achievement in pushing my body, proving I had control and knowing that the cancer had not compromised it,” she said.

During such a dark time in her life, Emma found solace in her local running club, which gave her a sense of purpose, belonging, and a renewed sense of self.

Through her local running club, Emma made lifelong friends and entered long-distance running and triathlon events, including achieving her half-marathon (21.1 kilometres) goal in the 2023 HBF Run for a Reason.

Through her fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Centre WA she formed the group, ‘Hollywood Physio’, with her physiotherapy colleagues who were keen to support the cause and run alongside her on the day.

“It was so important for me to raise as much money as possible as a way of personally thanking the outstanding organisation and staff that have provided me with so much care and support,” Emma said.

Together, the fundraiser was a great success, and a total of $12,643 was raised.

For Emma, this run represented her breast cancer journey.

“It was tough, but you will eventually get through to the finish line with persistence and determination,” she said.

Over the past few years, Emma has combined her clinical experience as a physiotherapist with her own lived experience to help other people navigate their cancer diagnosis.

As a Senior Physiotherapist in Orthopaedics at Hollywood Private Hospital, being a cancer survivor has changed her approach to professional practice.

“Sometimes it’s the little things, like instead of walking in and standing in front of the patient, it’s grabbing a chair and sitting down next to them, listening, and then deciding what’s best for the patient at that given time,’’ she said.

“Over the years, I’ve found that we tend to treat patients very similarly because we’ve got a goal or a box to tick, and sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we have a person in front of us who has experienced trauma.”

“I now see life with a completely different perspective, and this has led to many new opportunities and interests that I would never have thought were possible.”

With more than 17,000 women being diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Australia, early detection can save lives. Learn more here.

Emma Blake, Senior Physiotherapist at Hollywood Private Hospital

Born and raised in Perth, Emma has 20 years of senior orthopaedic physiotherapy experience in both elective and trauma departments across the private and public sectors. Since graduating from Curtin with a Master’s of Physiotherapy in 2003, Emma has been responsible for establishing the Accelerated Rehabilitation Program (ARP) for elective joint replacement surgery at Osborne Park Hospital. In 2021, she took on the role of National Chair for the Australian Physiotherapy Association Orthopaedic group. A proud breast cancer survivor and marathon runner, Emma is also passionate about supporting those affected by cancer.

As a young girl, she was singled out and teased for her curly hair.

Today, she celebrates that same uniqueness and inspires others to embrace their own.

“I remember Mum telling me that my hair looked like Nicole Kidman’s, which would make me feel better,’’ she said.

“I definitely had my struggles during my school years, but later on in life, you realise that your differences become a beautiful part of who you are.”

After finishing Year 12, Kim leaped into the unknown, becoming a foreign exchange student in the Netherlands – an experience that opened her eyes to the world and planted seeds for a life of adventure, growth, and self-discovery.

Over the past 25 years, Kim has evolved into a sought-after leadership coach, helping thousands of executives from ASX and Fortune 100 companies across London, New York, and Perth lead with purpose, confidence, and authenticity.

We sat down with Kim to learn about her remarkable journey and what it means to be a confident leader in today’s world.

What led you to become a Leadership Development & Executive Coach?

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work across three continents, which has given me a greater appreciation of different cultures and the unique influence they can have on you.

From my experience, Tall Poppy Syndrome disables us from getting what we want and discourages us from celebrating our progress and success.

Confidence is the basis of everything in business, no matter the industry.

At the end of the day, your success stems from your self-belief and confidence in yourself.

When we’re not confident, it can be challenging to access and harness our skills.

Ultimately, this led me to start Tall Poppies while in New York.

What was one of the biggest lessons you learnt at Curtin that you apply today?

The importance of being open-minded and experimenting.

By experimenting, I mean stepping into whatever is interesting to me, like pursuing a communications degree.

Being open to the world around you can be hard, particularly if you are constantly surrounded by others who think similarly. It takes true discomfort and courage to step out and embrace the world around you.

How does one identify their superhero strengths?

You can build confidence by going back to who you are and truly know yourself.

Your belief in yourself allows you to unlock your superhero strengths, but it’s important to be intentional in driving and energising this mindset.

Taking time to understand what drives you will help. Often, we want a quick fix for confidence, but that’s not always possible.

One way to ignite your confidence is to catch your negative thoughts before they spiral, because they will just drain your energy.

A technique we use with leaders is to name your inner critic and make it more visible, so that you can normalise what’s happening and make it easier for you to catch these negative intrusive thoughts as they arise.

Next, get curious when you become triggered into having these negative thought spirals. For example, if you were criticised for public speaking in the past, a similar experience today may remind you, either consciously or subconsciously, of this previous experience.

Finally, ask yourself, what evidence do I have to counter that negative thought, and then use this positive evidence to offset that negative thought.

Were there any role models who shaped the leader you are today?

My mum.

I don’t think I truly appreciated my Mum’s guidance as a child.

It was only when I grew older that I started to really understand her impact on my life.

The stories she told me when I was young encouraged me not to follow what everyone else was doing.

She wasn’t scared to be the parent who spoke up at school and always followed her heart and instinct. By walking her own path, she allowed me to do that.

I’m also inspired by Oprah Winfrey, as she represents someone who isn’t looking for validation from everyone. She speaks her truth with such conviction, which I really admire.

Finally, any advice for young graduates aspiring to become future leaders?

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.

This comes down to learning how to navigate yourself and actively working on celebrating your wins because that is a way of channelling and understanding your progress.

And don’t be afraid to reach out for support or to your community – I couldn’t balance my life, family, and career without my husband.

Kim Lancer, Founder of Tall Poppies Leadership

Graduating from Curtin with a Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communications (2000), Kim has 25 years of experience working with leaders in Fortune 100 companies across London, New York, and Perth, including Goldman Sachs, Mastercard, and Deloitte, to name a few. As the Founder of Tall Poppies Leadership, Kim is a sought-after Global Leadership Development and Executive Coach dedicated to empowering people to stand tall and embrace their unique talents.

In 1993, amidst the chaos of civil war in Sri Lanka, a young man driven by pure will and an entrepreneurial flair, with no financial backing, and no industry connections, walked away from a stable corporate job and decided to start a business.

From the cramped living room of his family home, where his wife, two young children, and mother-in-law all shared two bedrooms, he began distributing wood paint from the back of a van.

Thirty-one years later, that start-up has evolved into JAT Holdings PLC, a publicly listed, multinational operation with over 600 employees across Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Vietnam and Australia, completely changing the wood coating landscape in Southeast Asia.

A key team member of this now flourishing business is his daughter, Curtin Commerce graduate Anika Williamson.

“Our living room was my dad’s office,” she said.

“I remember the first container being dropped in our backyard and Dad going around town with paint cans in his van. That’s how it all started.”

Anika (striped shorts) helping unload the very first container that they received with her brother and local boys from their village.

Though she now sits on the board as a director, her path into the family business was anything but straightforward.

After migrating to Perth in 2008 and becoming an Australian citizen, Anika was the first in her family to attend university.

“It was such a big decision, the whole family was involved, and I felt a huge responsibility to make them all proud” she says.

“Curtin was such an impactful experience, and I can honestly say that my Entrepreneurship lecturers and a few other key Curtin employees shaped the businesswoman I am today.

Anika’s younger brother and sister followed in her footsteps, choosing to pursue their tertiary education at Curtin too.

Following her graduation, Anika dived into working at JAT Holdings. She started in the paint stores, slowly working her way up to a Finance Manager position.

“Understanding the Company from its foundations was essential to me, I wanted to know how it all worked before taking any leadership positions” she reflected.

In 2014 she returned to Australia and pursued a career in private banking at one the big four banks, learning the structure and processes that would prove invaluable during the transition of JAT from a family business to a public listed entity.

In 2020, just before the world changed, she said she was visiting Sri Lanka for what was supposed to be one-month.

“Honestly, I didn’t take COVID seriously at first. I thought,  it would blow over in two or three months. But that one month ended up being extended for almost two years, where it was just too difficult to get back to Perth,’’ she said.

As lockdowns grounded flights and plans, Anika said she found her attention slowly turn to the family enterprise.

Anika Williamson, Richard Gunawardene (brother- also Curtin graduate), Aelian Gunawardene (father) and Joyce Gunawardene (father’s partner).

“At first I was in Sri Lanka to train on a product we planned to launch in Australia. We had everything in place to launch, however as flights continued to be cancelled and lockdowns were enforced, my father asked if I could look into our property development business. Then it slowly became more permanent with me taking on responsibilities across different businesses’’ she said.

Anika’s first major assignment?

A stalled 48-unit apartment project halted mid-construction due to pandemic-related delays and import restrictions on critical construction materials.

With no background in property or construction, Anika found herself on-site, managing costs and timelines through sheer grit.

“I had no clue what I was doing, but I knew every day we delayed was money lost. I figured it out as I went. I spent months on a construction site, dealing with COVID outbreaks, monsoons, and I even caught dengue fever and spent one week in the hospital. We ended up completing the project despite all the challenges faced. That’s still one of my proudest career moments,’’ she said.

“Eventually, I was asked to join the JAT board and drive international expansion alongside key management personnel.”

Today, she leads JAT’s global growth into Vietnam and Australia, working alongside her father and the senior management at JAT Holdings. But she does it her way – with an eye toward balance, innovation, and impact. She also spreads her time working on multiple businesses in differing industries such as property development, mineral mining, furnishing and finishing.

“My dad is a machine. His work ethic is unmatched. I’ve had to learn that working hard is great, but working smart is essential,’’ she said.

“I used to chase perfection with everything – every email, every proposal. But now I focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and trusting the process.”

Anika is also a passionate advocate for female leadership.

“Making space for women in leadership and speaking up for equality is something I feel very strongly about,’’ she said.

“When I first moved back to Sri Lanka and would attend events or meetings related to the construction industry, I had instances of people assuming I was someone’s personal assistant. As if to say it was completely unexpected for a woman to be in that space.”

At the end of the day, Anika said travel, connection, teaching, mentoring and reflection remain her grounding rituals and nothing beats networking and building relationships.

“That’s my favourite part of this job. I love being on the ground with customers, hearing their stories, and solving their pain points. That energises me more than anything,’’ she said.

Looking ahead, Anika has a bold dual vision to cement JAT Holdings as a leading force in South Asia, Australia, and Africa – and to grow something deeply personal – a new medical cannabis venture.

“We just received our licence to grow and export medicinal cannabis from Sri Lanka. And this is the business I really, truly want to see through,’’ she said.

For her, it’s more than business.

Diagnosed with fibromyalgia at sixteen, Anika said she began using an extract of medicinal cannabis, CBD, for pain relief when she was thirty two, and has been an advocate ever since.

“It’s a product I believe in with my whole heart. As cannabis slowly becomes legalised and destigmatised throughout the world, it is hard to deny the medical benefits and other positive health impacts. I’m already thinking about launching a Ceylon Cannabis tea,’’ she said.

With one foot grounded in tradition and the other boldly stepping into the future, Anika isn’t just growing a business — she’s shaping a legacy with heart, purpose and vision.

___

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Growing up in Perth’s northern coastal suburbs, the Curtin Business School graduate’s parents instilled in her the importance of independence from a young age.

Since starting her modelling career at the age of 16, Sarah has spent more than a decade of her life perfecting her craft, working with some of the world’s biggest fashion brands, including Burberry and Hugo Boss, and esteemed industry icons, like Naomi Campbell.

Hanging up her heels for a business jacket, Sarah is now on the cutting edge of technology innovation, working as a Senior Enterprise Solutions Consultant at Adobe, where she provides digital solutions for some of Australia’s largest organisations.

Did you always want to pursue a business career?

Spending more than a decade of my early life modelling around the world, I always knew I would return to a steady career.

Starting modelling straight out of high school exposed me to a wide array of opportunities that allowed me to travel, work across different cultures, countries, and meet many kinds of people. This was a great foundation for the first decade of my career.

However, pursuing business was always the long-term plan. I always wanted a job that connected me to industry and gave me a chance to contribute to solving complex business problems, which is something I find very fulfilling.

Just before the start of the COVID pandemic in early 2020, I had unknowingly timed my exit strategy from modelling to business perfectly. For the past several years, I had been working to complete my Bachelor of Commerce through flexible online study, which was made possible through Curtin’s various satellite campuses around the world.

What lessons did you learn from modelling that you carry with you in business?

I moved to Sydney when I was 17, to further my modelling career which eventually took me abroad.

Initially, I went through a challenging period marked by frequent rejections and tough industry pressures, which led me to question whether I wanted to continue in modelling. However, despite these setbacks, new work opportunities always kept coming.

During that time, I had to reflect and remind myself not to spend my energy focusing on the rejection and instead reframe my thinking to acknowledge that by all other measures, I was succeeding at what I was doing.

Ultimately, being able to sustain work and a steady income signalled to me that I belonged in the industry. Being passed over for a role doesn’t reflect a personal flaw; it often simply means you weren’t the right fit for that client’s needs or circumstances at the time.

As a model, you need to develop your personal brand to sustain yourself in the industry. This also means looking after yourself, being comfortable with speaking up, and knowing when to assert your boundaries while remaining professional.

In business, understanding the unique value you can add to a situation, advocating for your abilities, and being able to tell your story with confidence are similarly critical. There’s a lot that can be said for embracing the opportunity to stand out, even though this can feel counter to our cultural tendencies as Australians.

For me, so much has come from simply throwing my hat in the ring and daring to try. Getting out there and gaining that exposure all contributes to your personal and professional development, whether it be attending networking events or volunteering to take on stretch projects.

Do you have any standout mentors in your early career who have helped shape you into who you are today?

One of my biggest mentors was Naomi Campbell.

When I worked on a project with her in 2013, she shared this advice, which I now live by, ‘Never rest on your laurels,’ meaning not to become complacent or entitled due to past successes. Even as you become accomplished, it’s important to keep stretching, learning, and finding new ways to grow.

At the end of the day, showing up and working hard is more valuable than depending solely on past achievements to carry you forward. In our careers and life, I don’t believe that we ever truly “arrive”; so, we should be striving for a constant journey of growth.

I’m also grateful for my university mentors, particularly my Business Capstone Tutor, Mel Ahmad, who taught me the importance of approaching new business challenges with creativity, advocating for your abilities as a graduate, and trusting the right business will recognise the unique value you can bring.

What do you love the most about working at Adobe?

Since joining Adobe as an Inside Sales Graduate, I’ve worked across both the Mar-Tech and Creative sides of the business, before becoming a Solutions Consultant for our Digital Media Technology.

Recently, I was promoted to Senior Enterprise Solutions Consultant, where I work closely with some of Australia’s biggest enterprises to educate and inspire them on what’s possible with the Adobe offering and how it can be best leveraged in their business.

What I love the most about the role is that we are responsible for being on the cutting edge of technology and industry transformation.

Getting insight into how some of Australia’s biggest organisations function, make their decisions, and approach innovation and change management is also very interesting. There’s a lot to love!

What is the biggest piece of advice you would tell your younger self?

1. Use extracurricular activities to stand out.

In the early stages of your career, although your degree is important in getting your foot in the door, what allows people to connect with you is your interests, attitude, and work ethic. The extra-curricular activities you are involved in outside of work help bolster your resume.

As an avid swimmer who has competed in the Rottnest Channel Swim, this experience has been a great conversation starter as a graduate and allowed the leadership team at my workplace to form a picture of who I was outside of my degree’s credentials.

If I could do it again, I would tell my younger self to start or get involved with a club at university. Ultimately, business leaders want people who are willing to contribute, and if there’s evidence of that, then you’re more inclined to break through the masses.

2.      Aim high, put your hat in the ring. Don’t be afraid of risk and failing fast.

What’s the worst that can happen – if they say no, at least you tried.

If you can walk away knowing that you gave it your all, then that’s all you can do. Be proud of yourself for taking the risk; anything outside of your control is just luck and timing.

Don’t be afraid of the risk of failure; it’s only through the mistakes you make that you will learn invaluable life lessons.

3.      Putting in the work is the best antidote to impostor syndrome.

Never resting on your laurels and always being ready to put the work in.

It’s normal to experience moments of impostor syndrome, but if you’ve met the expectations and prepared thoroughly, you can trust that you’ve earned your place. So, work hard and have confidence in the process, which sounds cliché, but it’s kind of true.

Putting your hand up for new experiences is so important for your growth, because you never know what might come from it. Putting yourself out there increases the chances of those serendipitous moments happening, which might propel you into becoming the person or professional you aspire to be.

Sarah Tilleke, Senior Enterprise Solutions Consultant at Adobe

Born and raised in Perth, Sarah is an Adobe product expert with more than a decade of experience working in the fashion, advertising, and media & entertainment industries. She has worked for Burberry and Hugo Boss, walked in the prestigious London and Sydney Fashion Weeks, and has been mentored by British supermodel Naomi Campbell. Since graduating from Curtin with a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing & Management (2021), Sarah is now passionate about helping Australia’s biggest enterprises harness Adobe’s suite of solutions to drive digital transformation and achieve their organisational goals.