Business News 40under40 Awards. Image credit: Matt Jelonek.
As testament to the calibre of our graduates, Edith Cowan University (ECU) is proudly celebrating seven Alumni in this year's esteemed Western Australian Business News 40under40 Awards.
In addition to showcasing the state's leading entrepreneurs, innovators, and future business leaders under the age of 40, the annual awards also acknowledge exceptional philanthropic and community contributions.
School of Business and Law graduate Tracey Batt had a dual win taking out the coveted APIL People's Choice Award along with the Small or Start-up category for her ecommerce business, Adventure Snacks. Tracey was also a finalist for the top honour, the First Amongst Equals award.
Dual graduate from the School of Arts and Humanities Cassie Silver took out the Community, Social Enterprise or Not for Profit category for her work establishing Fiercely Infertile as a way of connecting and supporting 'The Trying to Conceive' community.
Speaking at the gala presentation event, Business News senior journalist and chief judge Mark Pownall said that the panel were looking for something a bit different in 2024.
"The judges were looking for the entrepreneurs – people who were willing to take a risk rather than follow the safe path, those who have stepped outside their comfort zone."
At ECU, we pride ourselves on empowering the creative thinkers and changemakers of tomorrow. Thanks to Business News, those people are being recognised today.
Congratulations to ECU's 40under40 for 2024
Cassie Silver
Bachelor of Communications, 2009
Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting, 2010
An award-winning television journalist and media and communications professional with her own production company, Silver Lining + Co. Cassie was recognised for her community impact supporting and connecting others experiencing trouble conceiving through the creation of Fiercely Infertile. Hear more about Cassie's achievements on our ECU Alumni Follow the Leader podcast.
Elsie Blay
Graduate Certificate in Transition Nursing, 2013
With over 15 years' experience in the health and community sector, Elsie was recognised for her commitment to supporting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community. As the Executive Manager at Ruah Community Services, Elsie is tackling the complex issues of homelessness, family and domestic violence and mental health that are affecting more and more everyday West Australians.
Fabian Bucher
Bachelor of Business, 2010
Founding partner and general manager of the successful Western Australian hospitality group, Varsity. Since opening the first venue in 2013, Fabian now oversees eight locations across Perth with a team of some 400 people.
Melissa Sgro
Bachelor of Science (Sports Science), 2004
Master of Science (Sports Science), 2008
Twenty years on from founding Dance Fusion at the age of 19, Melissa Sgro has had an outstanding impact on the dance industry. Her business was the first studio to be inducted into the 'Hall of Fame' at the 2023 Australasian Dance Education Awards and it also won the prestigious Australian Dance Studio of the Year 2023 award. Individually, Melissa was a Runner Up Studio Owner of the year in the same awards and was also named a finalist in the ROAR business awards for Woman of the Year 2023.
Melvyn Gilbert
Master of Professional Accounting, 2014
A qualified Chartered Practicing Accountant and Partner and Director at Fortuna Advisory Group with over 15 years international experience, Melvyn's illustrious career has seen him also named as one of Australia's top 5 Young Professionals (IABCA 2019) and the winner of Australian Accounting Awards 2022 (New Partner of the Year).
Helen (Nel) Minchin
Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting, 2006
An award-winning filmmaker who founded Wheels Rolling Productions in 2022 to producing entertaining, intelligent, ambitious films out of Western Australia. Nel has spent the past decade delivering some of Australia's most-watched documentaries. Her debut feature documentary Firestarter - The Story of Bangarra, co-directed with Wayne Blair, has screened at 25 international festivals winning the Rose D'Or For Arts programming, the Walkley Documentary Award, the AACTA for Best Documentary and an Australian Director's Guild award.
Tracey Batt
Graduate Certificate of Business (Event Management), 2013
As the Founder and CEO of Adventure Snacks, Tracey's vision since 2014 has been to help Australian families make lunchbox packing and mealtimes with kids easier, healthier and more enjoyable. With over 95,000 customers globally, Tracey has grown the business to become Australia's largest online lunchbox and mealtime stores with a showroom in Perth for customers to view the products.
Find out more about the Business News 40under40 Awards winners announcement.
