The real world effect

Every contribution you make – every dollar you give – has a positive effect.

Our world faces many challenges. At QUT, we believe that what we create, the problems we solve, and the work we do should address these issues and affect change for the better.

Through philanthropy, donors to the Friends of QUT in America Foundation play a key role in helping us accomplish these goals.

Save our koalas - Finding the survivors in bushfire affected areas

We need your help to find the koalas and other wildlife that survived the recent devastating bushfires in Australia. QUT researchers are using drones and artificial intelligence detection to map koala populations across Queensland and New South Wales to inform effective conservation decisions. Efforts are now focused on conducting post-bushfire monitoring of koalas over large tracts of affected areas. Your support is vital to help us save our koalas and protect Australian wildlife today and far into the future.

Watch the video to see how we're saving koalas

Support mental health research

The COVID-19 pandemic has not just affected physical health, but mental health as well. We can improve how we view and treat mental health by applying neuroscience and neuroplasticity to brain health and fitness. By training the brain, we can build mental strength and resilience. Professor Selena Bartlett is developing an online brain-training program that has the potential to help millions of people improve their mental health. With your help, we can take the study to a clinical trial.

Celebrate Indigenous creativity

Diverse Indigenous culture is at the heart of Australia’s identity and future. QUT is committed to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community by promoting and establishing exceptional Indigenous talent in Australia. Join us in establishing Australia’s first endowed Indigenous Chair – a perpetually-funded academic position to support learning, teaching, research and outreach across the creative and performing arts, design, digital media and communication disciplines. With your support, we can amplify Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and practices.

Save the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on earth. It’s unthinkable that we could lose it, but crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks and mass coral bleaching threaten its existence. QUT roboticists have developed the world’s first autonomous, underwater robots designed to monitor and control crown-of-thorns starfish populations and support the regeneration of bleached and degraded reefs through innovative ‘coral IVF’ techniques. There is an urgent need for further support to advance this research and actively boost the reef’s capacity to recover.

Support scholarships for students in financial need

The Learning Potential Fund provides scholarships and bursaries to students at a time when, in many cases, their educational aspirations hang in the balance. As the largest perpetual endowment fund of its scale in Australia, it has the potential to create opportunities for promising but financially disadvantaged students forever. With far more applicants than resources, we’re currently only able to help half of the 5000 students who apply per scholarship round. With your help, we can boost the capital base of the endowment and extend much-needed help to all students in need.

Stop disease wiping out one of the world’s staple foods

Backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, QUT researchers have developed vitamin A-enriched bananas that are helping to prevent vitamin deficiency-associated deaths and blindness in children living in developing countries. Production of this vital food source is currently under serious threat from Panama disease tropical race 4 (TR4) and Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV). QUT researchers have already developed varieties of bananas that are resistant to either TR4 or BBTV – we now need to develop crops that are resistant to both. Your support can help secure a reliable food source for some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Support students through COVID-19

Many of our students are in need; the part-time and casual work they rely on to pay for rent and necessities has disappeared as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. QUT has directed additional funds towards the Emergency Student Fund to provide immediate support to eligible students in need.

Foundation board members

Excited by the opportunity to fly the flag for QUT, a group of outstanding alumni based in the US are leading the initiative as the inaugural members of the Friends of QUT in America Foundation Board. They are joined by two QUT executives.

Mr. Greg Creed

CHAIR AND PRESIDENT

A QUT Business graduate, Mr. Creed is former CEO of Yum! Brands Inc., a company with revenue of more than $6 billion per annum. He is an Independent Director of the Whirlpool Corporation, a Director of International Game Technology, and a former volunteer Director for Fight2Win (raising money and awareness to cure Hodgkin’s Lymphoma).

Ms. Carolyn Dawkins

DIRECTOR

Ms. Dawkins is Senior Vice President, Consumer Engagement, Analytics and Online at The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. She develops brand partnerships by ensuring consumers are able to connect on the right platform at the right moment. A QUT Business graduate, her career includes managerial roles with GSK, Google, Colgate, Procter & Gamble, and L'Oréal. Ms. Dawkins is also connected to OneKid OneWord, a non-profit.

Mr. Peter Taylor

DIRECTOR

Managing Director of The Carlyle Group and Co-Head of its Global Infrastructure Opportunity Fund in Washington, DC, Mr. Taylor is a QUT Business graduate. He previously established the North American operations of Hastings Funds Management Limited.

Mr. Leonard Lee

DIRECTOR

Mr. Lee is President, Asia Pacific, at Beyond Limits. He builds and leads business operations within the Asia Pacific region. A QUT aerospace engineering graduate, Mr. Lee’s career includes leadership roles with Microsoft, Airbus, GE, Honeywell, and several startups.

Ms. Marianne Halvorsen

DIRECTOR

Ms. Halvorsen is Senior Vice President at Aon. With extensive experience in risk management insurance solutions, she is an award-winning merger and acquisition insurance advisor. A QUT business graduate, her career includes client relationship and managerial roles with global insurance and risk management firms. Ms. Halvorsen is also the founder of Growthsource Academy, helping women expand their businesses, and Kontaktsource, supporting private equity industry.

Professor Mark Harvey

SECRETARY

Professor Harvey is Vice-President (Business Development), where he oversees the development and management of strategic partnerships with external individuals and organizations in the pursuit of QUT corporate objectives and priorities. Professor Harvey is currently a Director of Sunsuper Pty Ltd and Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.

Mr. Carl Cartwright

TREASURER

Mr. Cartwright is the Vice President (Resources) and Chief Financial Officer. He is a Certified Practicing Accountant and recognised as a Fellow of CPA Australia and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Carl carries extensive experience in senior finance positions in the hospitals, health services and higher education sectors through North Metropolitan Area Health Service, Edith Cowan University and TAFE.

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Latest news

14 Dec 2020

QUT Alumni: Year in review

To say 2020 has been a challenging year would be an understatement. Not only have alumni been impacted, both personally and professionally, but organisations, including QUT, have had to be innovative and agile in embracing new ways to engage with their communities.

The Friends of QUT in America Foundation is a non-profit organization

Friends of QUT in America Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. The Board of Directors are happy to consider the suggestions of donors, but assumes ultimate discretion for the disbursement of funds.

© Friends of QUT in America Foundation

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friendsinamerica@qut.edu.au | Ph: 212-634-6484

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