Grace Zhou

Grace Zhou

Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Human Resources and Employment Relations, MBA

Principal Human Resources Advisor at CITIC Pacific Mining Management

‘In 2007, when I started my first HR job, I felt this was the career I wanted to pursue for the long term. In 2009, I started my Master’s degree study – Master of HR and Employment Relations at UWA while working full-time in HR, I enjoyed my master learning journey at UWA very much.

‘My passion is my job – HR management and organisation development. Adding value to the business as a service department. Being in Human Resources, I believe humans/people come before resources, I believe in developing, nurturing and caring for our talent and workforce to make sure we achieve the best outcome for both the company and employees.

‘I am working to help create a work environment/company culture where everyone feels supported and that they can achieve their potential and have a fair go, a place that promotes initiatives, innovation, efficiency, productivity.

‘UWA provided me with a great knowledge foundation; most importantly, I had the opportunity to learn from a number of knowledgeable professors who are the experts in their field. I feel this is the most value I can obtain from university study – to be close to those with knowledge, wisdom and passion – learn from them, and become one of them and pass on that value, inspiration and positive influence to others in both work and life.’ 

Hayley Hamp

Hayley Hamp

Bachelor of Commerce
Marketing Communications Coordinator, Collingwood Football Club

‘I graduated in March 2018 on a Saturday night and the morning after got on a one way flight to Melbourne. Moving to Melbourne was always something I wanted to do, and upon completing my studies I knew this was the right time to give it a go. 

‘I started work as a coordinator at international media agency Carat (Dentsu Aegis Network). While I was only there for a year, my team and the business were a huge part of what made my first year in Melbourne such a success. 

‘I’ve always loved sports and wanted to work in sports marketing, so I kept my eyes open at the start of 2019 for marketing roles through any of the sports clubs based in Melbourne. In March, my current role at Collingwood Football Club came up – Marketing Communications Coordinator. I applied thinking I’d never get it, but alas I did! 

‘UWA was an important part of my journey as their flexibility allowed me to gain valuable work experience while studying, and be introduced to professionals in the industry I otherwise wouldn’t have met.’

Louise Bosserman

Louise Bosserman 

Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Economics 
Brand and Engagement Manager, Whiskey and Gin, Pernod Ricard 

Louise Fry Bosserman graduated from The University of Western Australia in 2010 with a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Economics. She is a global marketing and brand strategy specialist, who over the last decade has worked for Budweiser’s craft beer portfolio, Unilever’s new brand ventures and Pernod Ricard’s premium whiskey and gin portfolio. 

‘The most interesting aspect of my career has been the breadth of what I’ve been able to experience.  Even though I studied Commerce and Economics, it opened so many doors that led to incredible opportunities outside of traditional Economics and Finance. 

‘My educational background set the foundation for a career journey that ultimately gave me the opportunity to travel around the world (like, building brands while tasting their rare whiskeys at distilleries in Scotland and Ireland) and to be a part of once in a lifetime experiences (such as building partnerships with Serena Williams, Coachella and Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show).’ 

Louise is based in New York City with her husband, rescue dog and daughter.

Mia Herriman

Mia Herriman

Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts
Regional Digital Lead, Scentre Group (Owner and Operator of Westfield, Aus and NZ) 

‘Graduating from The University of Western Australia in 2015, I moved across to London to take on an internship with boutique brand management firm Luxley Communications. I worked in the public relations arm of the company, handling client press releases, researching strategy and developing content and pitches for publications. 

‘Prior to my return to Australia, I was successful in gaining a position as a public relations assistant with Muse Bureau, one of Perth’s top public relations and events firms. After working with the firm for several months I was successful in gaining a role as Marketing, Communication and Events Coordinator at UWA Sport. 

‘I am now working at Scentre Group, the Regional Digital Lead manages and coordinates digital channels and content to efficiently create digital vibrancy across multiple centres, which engages customers, connects the community and supports retailers.

‘UWA gave me the skills and confidence to go out into the world and pursue my passion. UWA is about more than just a degree and I think the experience is what’s been most important in shaping my life today.’ 

Mikey Kailis

Mikey Kailis

Master of Commerce (Advanced) (University of Western Australia)
Counterpart Ventures

Mikey works in San Francisco at a venture capital firm that invests in early stage technology startups. His career started in Perth as a journalist after graduating his undergraduate degree with a passion for the media. 

He returned to university to complete his Masters in Commerce which led his career towards entrepreneurship, venture capital and startup companies. 

‘I graduated with a Master’s from UWA in 2013, somewhat unsure what industry I wanted to work in. Like most, it has taken me a number of years since graduating to get a clearer sense of this. 

‘I knew I wanted to work with innovative, progressive individuals who challenged the status quo and got this in abundance working among startup companies. 

‘Working in this field led me to San Francisco where I now work at a venture capital firm that invests in early stage ($2-8m) startups. 

‘My time at UWA gave me the educational foundation I now rely on as I make a name for myself in venture capital.’ 

Nicholas Anile

Nicholas Anile 

Master of Marketing 
Account Executive, Painted Dog Research

‘I began working for Painted Dog Research prior to my graduation in a casual role and after the completion of my degree I was both lucky enough and had proven myself to my managers to be offered a full-time position. 

‘Painted Dog Research is the state’s largest social research company offering custom research solutions to every client; with clients across both the public and private sectors around the country. 

‘I utilise the knowledge I learnt in my degrees every single day of my career. The ability to think critically and find solutions to problems are must have skills. 

‘My day to day responsibilities vary depending upon my active project list. However, my roles and responsibilities generally include:

• Assisting with the writing of proposals or tenders
• Liaising and building relationships with clients
• Project management
• In-depth data analysis through a wide variety of techniques ranging from simple statistics to complex data science models
• Writing reports that synthesises any analysis conducted into actionable insights
• Presenting

‘My favourite aspect of studying at UWA were the friendships I made with classmates; which were facilitated by my tutorials and group assignments. These friendships helped me throughout my degrees.’

Tanisha Banaszczyk

Tanisha Banaszczyk

Bachelor of Commerce
Head of Investments at Convergence Ventures

Tanisha is the Head of Investments at Convergence Ventures, Indonesia’s leading early stage tech venture capital firm. She facilitates a number of initial and follow-on investments across both Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and provides hands on support to Convergence’s 40 portfolio companies through growth initiatives and follow-on fundraising.

Before relocating to Jakarta, she was an investment banker with Macquarie Capital, Australia’s largest and highest ranked mergers and acquisitions advisor, specialising in global mining and resources transactions. Prior to this, she began her career as a Chartered Accountant with EY and PwC, specialising in transaction advisory, business process assurance and risk advisory. Tanisha graduated as Valedictorian of her year with a Bachelor of Commerce.

‘The most interesting aspect of my career by far is the ability to contribute to the development of Indonesia’s growing tech ecosystem, which in turn contributes to the broader development of Indonesia as a country. I feel humbled to be a part of this journey – particularly at a time when major disruptive technologies are becoming household names. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this evolution in Indonesia, and in Southeast Asia. 

‘My time at UWA was hugely instrumental in cultivating my career ambitions. When I enrolled in my Bachelor of Commerce degree, I intentionally undertook a broad range of majors as I was unsure of what I hoped to do with my long-term career. It was then during my time on campus that I encountered what I now define as my passion – I became actively involved with the student group Enactus, a global organisation that empowers university students through entrepreneurship, and was completely captivated by the start-up and entrepreneurship experience.’