Jeff Gibbs
Four remarkable graduates with strong ties to the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers have been recognised in the 2025 Southern Cross University Alumni Impact Awards.
Dr Kellie Wren, Moesha Johnson, Emily Williams and Theresa Mitchell were honoured for their outstanding achievements across healthcare, sport, diplomacy and community leadership.
Dr Kellie Wren, named Southern Cross University (SCU) Alumnus of the Year, is a passionate healthcare leader who blends business strategy with clinical acumen and empathy. Formerly part of the Gold Coast Health executive leadership team, Dr Wren is now Executive Director of Medical Services at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital. She credits her Master of Business Administration from Southern Cross University for providing “a whole new toolkit” that allows her to drive health system innovation and improve patient outcomes.
Moesha Johnson, an Olympic silver medallist and two-time world champion in open-water swimming, was named Young Alumnus of the Year (Joint Winner). A Northern Rivers local and Southern Cross Biomedical Science graduate, Moesha says she will remain part of the SCU community for life.
Emily Williams, also a Young Alumnus of the Year (Joint Winner), grew up in Tweed Heads and, as a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, is now making her mark on the world stage in her role as Consul with the Australian Consulate-General in Nouméa. The Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Science graduate turned diplomat has already shown leadership beyond her years in international crisis situations.
Theresa Mitchell, recipient of the Community Impact Award, is the founder of Agape Outreach Inc. – a Gold Coast and Tweed-based homelessness charity feeding and supporting more than 1,500 people each week. Her studies in Psychological Science at Southern Cross helped her build a sustainable, holistic organisation that restores dignity and hope to those in need. Theresa has also recently been named a nominee for the NSW Local Hero award in the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.
Other Southern Cross alumni recognised for their impact include:
Grant Grierson, winner of the Early Career Award – an education innovator known for igniting curiosity in the classroom. His robotics and STEM programs empower students to create real-world solutions and rediscover the joy of learning.
Professor Sisira Ediriweera, International Alumnus of the Year – a Sri Lankan forestry ecologist whose research and mentorship are nurturing both forests and future scientists. His pioneering work in rainforest ecology, first developed at Southern Cross, now shapes environmental policy and conservation worldwide.
Southern Cross University Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin congratulated this year’s outstanding recipients, saying:
“We take great pride in recognising alumni who are creating positive and lasting change across Australia and the world.”
A full list of the 2025 Southern Cross University Alumni Impact Award winners is available at https://www.scu.edu.au/news/2025/southern-cross-university-celebrates-2025-alumni-impact-award-winners/
