Leading Lights
In conversation with high-impact Macquarie Alumni
Leading Lights
In conversation with high-impact Macquarie Alumni
15 Aug 2025
Emma Wiggle moves into dance and sign language in new, inclusive children's entertainment Best known as the first female Wiggle, Emma Watkins spent nine years as the yellow skivvied, red-headed idol of many a preschooler. Today, she's Dr Emma Watkins, having completed her Macquarie-powered PhD focused on integrating sign language and dance in children's learning and play.
21 May 2025
From science lab to boardroom: Dr Cathy Foley on 36 years at the CSIRO As Australia's Chief Scientist during the pandemic, Dr Cathy Foley played a role in tackling vaccine hesitancy, and provided evidence-based advice on a range of issues to two successive governments over her three-year term. Now the mother of six, scout leader and art lover is helping steer the nation's most prestigious science agency.
21 Feb 2025
UniSuper boss Peter Chun on curiosity, life-long learning and embracing AI On the brink of becoming a doctor, Peter Chun had a last-minute change of heart and enrolled in a Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie. Now as the CEO of one of Australia's largest superannuation funds, Peter has a wealth of advice for today's graduates.
01 Nov 2024
News veteran Peter Overton takes us behind the scenes of his stellar career in journalism A life in news was always the goal for Peter Overton, whose talent took him from radio to TV sport, around the globe as a 60 Minutes reporter and finally onto our screens each night as the face of Channel 9's 6pm bulletin.
30 Oct 2024
Leadership coach Megan Dalla Camina on supporting women at work Author, mum and founder of leadership mentoring program Women Rising, Megan Dalla Camina shares her journey from the corporate world to running her business coaching women on how to succeed.
14 Aug 2024
How trailblazer Pippa Downes advocates for inclusion Master of Applied Finance alumna Pippa Downes describes her journey from elite swimming success to the ferocious competition of the stock exchange floor and on to her current work as a champion of workplace LGBTQI+ inclusion.
28 May 2024
Legal powerhouse Sue Kench on her journey to the top Sue Kench is the Global Chief Executive of KWM – King & Wood Mallesons. She’s an identical twin, mother of three, married to a professional musician and modestly likens herself to accidental Olympic gold medallist Stephen Bradbury.
25 Jan 2024
Restructuring lawyer Scott Atkins on the next big thing - space law Careers in the law don't come much more exciting than the path travelled by Macquarie Alumnus Scott Atkins. As Global Chair of the international firm Norton Rose Fullbright, Scott is a trailblazer of reform at home and in developing countries - now he has his eye on outer space.
07 Nov 2023
Searching for equality: Jason Johnson drives diversity and inclusion at the top end of town Entrepreneur and philanthropist Jason Johnson, who founded one of Australia's leading executive search agencies Johnson Partners, supports team building at the nation's top companies as a champion of gender and cultural diversity.
24 Feb 2023
Educator Shane Hogan to start a new school from scratch After 43 years in teaching and running some of Sydney's most prestigious private schools, educator Shane Hogan is poised to open his own co-ed, non-denominational campus for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.
28 Nov 2022
Innovator Dr Larry Marshall on blending science and business Science entrepreneur and CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall talks about his time at Macquarie and his big plans for the future, connecting scientists with big business.
28 Aug 2022
Caregiver and changemaker: Lucy Brogden's high impact in mental health Lucy Brogden studied psychology at Macquarie to evolve from corporate banker to powerful advocate for wellbeing in the workplace as Co-Chairwoman of the National Mental Health Commission. She got three degrees over 20 years, while working, raising three children and caring for her husband through his own battle with mental health while he was NSW Opposition Leader .