To be eligible for the Graduate Medal for Postgraduate Leadership in 2026, nominees must:
Hold on to your values, and whenever challenges come your way, see them as stepping stones rather than roadblocks.
Grace Judah has made significant contributions to both the University of Sydney and the global community through her leadership and advocacy. While at the University, Grace was a Student Life Ambassador, mentoring peers and advocating for improved student outcomes during University decision-making processes. She also co-hosted the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit, served as president of the MBA Club 50, and was an emcee for key student events.
Beyond her academic achievements, Grace founded the VOJ Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering economically disadvantaged women and children in West Africa. Grace’s leadership, dedication to service, and commitment to creating opportunities for others demonstrate her exceptional impact in both academic and social spheres.
My time at Sydney has been truly transformative. After the pandemic, when the world seemed to slow down, I felt a deep pull to reconnect with my community and give back. That’s what inspired me to start the VOJ Foundation, a nonprofit that supports women and children in Nigeria facing economic hardship. The MBA program at Sydney gave me the perspective and practical skills I needed—not just in business, but in leadership and resilience—to run a charitable organisation with purpose and impact.
I’ve always enjoyed learning and contributing to knowledge. Looking ahead, I hope to pursue a research pathway—potentially a doctorate—that will allow me to deepen my work and create meaningful impact through scholarship.
Stella Rose Harris is a doctor undertaking speciality training in obstetrics and gynaecology in South Western Sydney Local Health District.
As part of her Master of Public Health, Stella undertook a research project focused on maternal sleep position and risk of stillbirth in Bangladesh, with the goal of evaluating the utility of public health initiatives in developing countries. The degree has allowed her to seek new leadership opportunities to improve women’s health in Australia and globally. She is involved in the Public Health Association Australia Women’s Health Executive Committee, Results International Global Health Fellowship, and the International Red Cross Global Migration Hub.
Throughout her studies she was committed to improving the experience of her fellow students. She was a member of the Student Life Committee during her masters program, and as a medical student was involved in the University of Sydney Surgical Society, where she created numerous surgical education and skills-based sessions for students.
Dr Yeon Jae Kim has consistently displayed her leadership qualities throughout her studies. Having been with the University since 2012, she has undertaken a Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) and a concurrent PhD and Doctor of Medicine. Despite these high-pressure degrees, Yeon Jae has been an active member of the University of Sydney community, serving as president of the Postgraduate Research Student Society at Northern Clinical School and coaching and mentoring students. She also served on multiple university boards and committees to further the student voice.
She has followed her instinct for humanitarian work, completing an Aurora Internship with Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) to support Indigenous Australians and First Language knowledge, travelling to mentor refugee children in Malaysia, and volunteering to promote second chance education worldwide. Alongside her plans to become a research-clinician in Cardiology, Yeon Jae intends to continue teaching and mentoring, and working with the ALNF.
Katie Moore is passionate about creating change for the equitable justice of people and communities often not seen or heard and not effectively considered in policies and economic structures. In her various roles, she addresses social, economic and environmental justice through place-based projects and service provision organisations to influence societal transformations. She proudly identifies with her Aboriginal heritage of the Wiradyuri people in Central NSW and lives on Darug land in Western Sydney.
Recognising the value of mentorship, Baoying mentors for the SkillMe Project by MetroAssist and the CareerTracker Programme. He actively participates in various industry committees, including CIBSE NSW Young Engineers Committee, Standards Australia Smart Cities Committees and IEC Smart Cities Workgroups, among others. In 2019, he was selected as one of two Australian representatives in the International Electrotechnical Commission Young Professional Programme in Shanghai.
A recipient of an Australian Government Endeavour Research Fellowship, Dr Jessica Talbot studied fungal diseases and antifungal resistance at the world-renowned Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute in the Netherlands. During her PhD studies, she volunteered at the University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital, establishing pop-up veterinary clinic services for disadvantaged people and their pets through BaptistCare HopeStreet. She also established the Greenway Housing Commission Community-Vet-to-Pet Care Program.
Explore the annual Alumni Awards, featuring six Graduate Medals and six Alumni Awards.