Anstice MBA Scholarship recipients drive positive change in NFP sector

Scholarship recognises emerging leaders from not-for-profit sector

MBA student Meghal Shah Anstice scholarship recipient

A generous donation from David Anstice has made it possible for 10 influential leaders to undertake the MBA. Read their stories.

“The purpose of this scholarship is very simple: I care about educational opportunity, and I wish to give back - in this case by providing educational support to someone who can make a difference in the not-for-profit sector,” said Mr Anstice.

Kate Woods

Dispensary Lead Pharmacist, Calvery Mater Hospital

Kate is currently the Dispensary Lead Pharmacist at Calvery Mater Hospital in Newcastle NSW.

She has enjoyed a rewarding career with NSW health, including securing a highly sought-after hospital internship at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital following her graduation from the University of Sydney's Master of Pharmacy.

She is now living and working in Newcastle, NSW and is passionate about using digital technology to provide pharmacy services remotely, and working with leadership to improve the gender pay gap within the sector.

Kate is a part of a non-for-profit organisation committed to a sustainable cardiac surgery program in Kigali, Rwanda. Having travelled there twice to provide expertise, as well as supporting the local pharmacy and nursing department from afar, she hopes to share her knowledge and experience with third world governments and organisations to initiate change.

Kate Woods (MPharm '15)

Marta Artemenko

Community Manager, NSW Service for the treatment and rehabilitation of torture and trauma survivors (STARTTS)

Ukranian refugee Marta Artemenko arrived in Australia with nothing but her daughter and a suitcase. A successful project manager across a 15-year career in Europe, Marta’s life was turned upside-down due to the war in Ukraine.

Marta believes the course will equip her in setting the strategy and direction for the Ukrainian Council of NSW’s humanitarian mission over the coming years, and in the long term, hopefully to help rebuild her war-torn nation as millions of fellow refugees seek to return home.

“In one year, my network has grown significantly and I have a lot of connections in government ministries and different charity organisations. So, Australia for me, it's really a country of opportunities. And all Australians are so welcoming. Nothing is impossible in this country.”

Marta Artemenko (MBA student)

Maeve Brown

Assistant Country Director at Jesuit Refugee Service

Maeve is currently the Assistant Country Director at Jesuit Refugee Service, a not-for-profit helping to serve and advocate for the rights of people seeking asylum and other migrants in vulnerable situations.

"To have been selected as a recipient of the Anstice Scholarship for Not-for-Profit Leadership is an incredible honour and has given me an opportunity for professional development that I otherwise would not have been able to afford. I've recently completed my first semester of study and the value of the University of Sydney MBA program is already tangible."

"I've been able to step outside my community sector bubble and learn so much from my fellow students who have knowledge and expertise across such diverse areas of work. I've also been able to reflect on what I've learned in class and begin to apply it to my daily practice in supervising staff, thinking about organisational strategy, and considering shared value partnerships. "

Maeve Brown (MBA Student)

Meghal Shah

Chief Financial Officer, Action on Poverty

Meghal is the CFO for Action on Poverty at the international development charity Action on Poverty, which operates in 13 countries around the world. He is also Vice President of BCD Community Care, a Sydney based disability and aged care services provider.

"The reason I started my MBA was simple," says Meghal. "I want to help solve society's most pressing problems by helping organisations achieve their full potential and maximise their impact. The most effective way of achieving this is through enhancing my ability to contribute in a meaningful way."

"I am very grateful for this scholarship and the support it provides in developing leaders in the not-for-profit sector."

Meghal Shah (MBA student)

Hear from more of our recipients

Impact Manager, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation

Owen is Impact Manager at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation, supporting advancements in patient care and life-saving research across Queensland’s largest teaching and research hospital. He also serves as a director of charity Youth In Union, using sport as a vehicle to empower youth in the Pacific Islands.

“I’m so grateful to David Anstice for giving me the opportunity to undertake this MBA, and learn from teachers and fellow students at the top of their diverse fields. Working in the not-for-profit sector, without his generous support I would not have been able to afford it, nor would I have backed myself to apply.

The program is compressing years worth of on-job experience into each subject. Ultimately, this MBA is equipping me to more effectively pursue my passion: helping organisations and people to tackle the great challenges we face, and achieve maximum sustainable impact.”

Government and International Affairs Advisor, ANSTO

Kantrina is currently the Government and International Affairs Advisor at ANSTO where she is responsible for guiding the organisation's interactions with the Australian and foreign governments, and multilateral institutions.

"The most valuable aspect of the MBA program has been the exceptional opportunities I have been afforded beyond the classroom. I was fortunate to be selected as a member of the Business School’s team to compete against 19 of the world’s top business and policy graduate schools at the 2019 World Government Summit’s Global University Challenge in Dubai. I also completed an International Social Enterprise Project in Bangalore, India which I found to be an incredibly humbling experience.

"The MBA journey has accelerated my development as a leader and I am incredibly grateful for the support of Mr Anstice, through the Anstice MBA Scholarship for Community Leadership, for supporting my completion of the program. I wholeheartedly recommend other emerging community leaders consider applying for this wonderful opportunity."

Founder, Centre for Women's Economic Safety

Rebecca is the Founder of the Centre for Women's Economic Safety, a not-for-profit organisation that she started after completing her MBA. The Centre for Women's Economic Safety aims to build awareness of the issue of economic abuse and associated economic disadvantage, and foster women's financial independence.

“The MBA has enriched my management toolkit, expanded my network of peers and built my confidence. Since completing my degree, I have been focussing my efforts on addressing intimate partner economic abuse and, to that end, have established a new not-for-profit organisation, the Centre for Women’s Economic Safety.

“This scholarship helped ameliorate the financial impact of doing an MBA, and redoubled my commitment to carving out a career that uses my skills to make a positive difference in the lives of people experiencing hardship and disadvantage.”

CEO, Food Ladder

Kelly McJannett is the CEO of Food Ladder, an international social enterprise providing innovative solutions to food security.

"The MBA has completely diversified my knowledge base and skillset. Coming from a background in Communications and Public Relations, prior to the MBA I had never had any formal training around Finance, Governance or Leadership best practice. While, in my capacity as the CEO of Food Ladder, I was learning on the job, without doubt the MBA gave me confidence in my knowledge, which has enabled me to drive forward with confidence.

"I believe education is critical to personal growth and development. Completing a masters program while working full-time provides one with the opportunity to put into practice those skills and knowledge systems that are being developed through study. I found this repetition has embedded the skills developed during the MBA into my DNA as a leader. It has changed the way I think and work as well as my attitude to how business can be applied to the social change sector I work in to deliver more sustainable outcomes for the global community.

"I have made some exceptional friendships through my MBA colleagues, one of whom I have invited to join me in my organisation as the Head of Operations. No doubt the friendships I have made I will carry through my whole life."

Board Director, Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW

Robyn is currently a Board Director for the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW and Stop the Traffik Australia.

"Since completing the MBA I have completed various projects and consultancy roles as part of a longer term plan for career transitioning. This has included a number of senior level contracts in the private, community and government sectors, broadening my contribution to a number of industries and increasing my capacity as a professional. I am now the proud mum of two boys, four years and eight weeks.

"Receiving the Anstice MBA Scholarship for Community Leadership gave me the confidence to take on the MBA program with full belief in my capacity both personally and professionally. The scholarship enabled me to engage in the MBA in a more fulfilling way and has opened new doors, networks and opportunities that I would have never previously considered or pursued."

Business Strategy Manager, UNSW

Rom has a background in Biology and is currently a Business Stragegy Manager at a leading Australian university where he helps to support a young and innovation research centre. Rom has recently launched a new podcast series called 'Research for What?' where he talks with leaders about how and why research can make a bigger difference to the world.

"Receiving the Anstice MBA Scholarship for Community Leadership was one of the most influential events in my career. I think about David's gesture every week and I am very grateful because I could not have afforded to enrol in the MBA program without the scholarship.

"I like to think that the Anstice MBA Scholarship was the little spark I needed to help others have a bigger impact. I am extremely grateful for David's generosity."

The Anstice MBA Scholarship for Community Leadership assists emerging leaders in community organisations to acquire world class business and management skills. This scholarship is valued at over $60,000 for up to three years for a student enrolled part-time. Register your interest to be notified when applications open and close and to receive more information on how to apply for our part-time MBA scholarships.