Alumni Lunch Series 2026 - Lessons in Leadership

Lessons in Leadership: Leading in challenging times

The 2026 Lessons in Leadership Alumni Lunch brought together Southern Cross University alumni and guests at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about what it means to lead when the path forward isn’t always clear. Joined by 2025 Alumni Impact Award winners Dr Kellie Wren, Theresa Mitchell, Greg Grierson and Emily Williams and moderated by Professor David Heilpurn, the event explored the realities of leadership across diverse and often demanding professional environments.

The panel delved into how leaders respond to pressure, uncertainty and change, sharing experiences that have shaped their careers and the lessons they have learned along the way. From building trust and confidence to making difficult decisions, maintaining meaningful connections and prioritising wellbeing, the conversation highlighted the importance of resilience, adaptability and purpose. The panellists also reflected on how their understanding of success has evolved and offered advice to emerging leaders about developing the skills, mindset and confidence to navigate the challenges ahead.

Panellists

Emily Williams

Emily is a Southern Cross University graduate in Law and Social Science and currently serves as Consul at the Australian Consulate in Noumea, New Caledonia. A Torres Strait Islander, Emily has represented Australia in high-profile international roles, including at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Her career spans crisis response, consular services, and international policy. Her Southern Cross education and scholarships have provided a strong foundation for leadership, advocacy, and making an impact both locally and globally.

Grant Grierson

Grant is an award-winning educator and Southern Cross University Master of Education graduate. Known for turning curiosity into confidence, he inspires secondary students in robotics, engineering, and programming to design real-world solutions to global problems. Grant champions STEM education, creativity, and student-led innovation, shaping the next generation of thinkers and problem-solvers with imagination, mentorship, and purpose.

Dr. Kellie Wren

Dr Wren is the Executive Director of Medical Services at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital and Chair of the Queensland Clinical Senate. A medical doctor and anaesthetist with more than 20 years’ experience in Queensland Health, she combines clinical insight with business acumen gained through her MBA from Southern Cross University. Named the University’s 2025 Alumni of the Year, Kellie is known for her humour, empathy and innovative leadership driving positive change across the health system.

Theresa Mitchell

Theresa is the founder of Agape Outreach Inc., a Northern Rivers and Gold Coast-based charity tackling homelessness with dignity, compassion, and practical support. A Southern Cross University graduate in Psychological Science (Honours), Theresa draws on her lived experience and education to lead programs supporting over 1,500 people each week. Theresa is recognised for her resilience, advocacy, and commitment to transforming lives through care, policy, and education.

Professor David Heilpern (Moderator)

Professor David Heilpern was a Magistrate and judicial trainer from 1998 to 2020. Prior to this appointment, David was a litigation lawyer on the North Coast where he co-founded the law school at SCU in 1992, David graduated with a Masters in Law from SCU and was the Alumni of the Decade in 2005. In August 2022 was appointed as a Dean and Chair of Discipline (Law) at SCU. David is passionate about legal education, seeking to ensure that students are stimulated, excited and fulfilled.

Relive the highlights from previous Lessons in Leadership events.

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