New team to focus on engagement and philanthropy

The Chair

Dr Jennifer Cronin (Class of 1989) is the former President of Wharf Hotels and is embarking on her second term as Chair of the Bond University Alumni Advisory Board. An expert in crisis management, Dr Cronin moved home to Australia from Hong Kong last year after leading Wharf Hotels thorough through Hong Kong’s social protests and Covid-19 pandemic. She holds an MBA and a PhD from Bond University and a Bachelor of Arts from Griffith University. She was the 2016 recipient of the University’s top alumni award, the Robert Stable Medal. In 2022 Griffith University made Dr Cronin an honorary Doctor of the University in recognition of exceptional service to the tourism industry in Australia and Asia.

Dr Cronin says she hopes to encourage alumni to support the University and students via mentorships, internships and philanthropic giving. “Our plans for the coming term will focus on alumni engagement at all levels through thought-leadership events that constantly provoke the Bond spirit of being ahead of the curve,” Dr Cronin says. “As our alumni have forged successful careers, we are also encouraged by the Bond spirit of giving. Many of our alumni are keen to give back through mentorships and intern opportunities, as well as an encouraging level of philanthropic activities to build on our legacy for the future.”

Dr Cronin says the University mantra of `once a Bondy, always a Bondy’ has never been truer than it is today.

“Our entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, courage and quest for excellence was built brick by brick out of the mud, and by every Bondy since. As Bond Alumni, we are so fortunate to have received the gift of a first-class education. We ask you to reflect on what Bond has done for you, and how you can help to create a strong and sustainable future for this great university that each of you has helped to build.”

Meet the rest of the Board:

Rohan Titus (Class of 1991) works in the Counter Terrorism Coordination Centre at the Department of Home Affairs in Canberra. Mr Titus has a wealth of experience in global affairs, including over 20 years in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in Afghanistan as Chief of Political Affairs for the United Nations Assistance Mission. He is also a founding member of the Canberra Alumni Committee and the 2018 recipient of the Robert Stable Medal. Mr Titus hold a Bachelor of Laws from Bond University, a Master of Arts from Monash University, and is completing a Master of Studies in International Relations at Cambridge.

Yasuhiro Kawane (Class of 2015) is Operations Manager at a global consulting firm, with expertise in complex program delivery and digital transformation. He has extensive experience in cross-cultural people management, quality assurance and project execution. His role is to serve traditional Japanese companies by leading digital transformation projects in the procurement field. Mr Kawane is a graduate of the Bond-BBT Global Leadership MBA program.

Marryum Kahloon (Class of 2011) is a Senior Associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in New York, specialising in international arbitration and international law disputes. She has worked on cases before the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, as well as investor-state and commercial arbitrations. Committed to pro bono work, Ms Kahloon maintains an active international human rights law practice. Her work includes drafting petitions to United Nations organs and providing advice to NGOs. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hon I) and Bachelor of International Relations (Business) from Bond University, and a Master of Laws from Columbia University. She is a former Vice Chancellor’s Scholar, New Colombo Plan Scholar and Fulbright Scholar.

Michelle Smith (Class of 2004) is Director, Corporate Sales, Financial Markets at Westpac. She has primarily worked on the sales side, covering a range of client bases, from retail to SME and listed corporates. Ms Smith is the President of the Sydney Alumni Committee and has been involved with the alumni mentoring program. She strongly believes in continuous feedback and encourages alumni to share their thoughts on how to enhance the alumni experience. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce from Bond University.

Richard Evans (Class of 1993) is an entrepreneur and leader in the entertainment industry. In addition to his role as General Manager of the Perth International Jazz Festival, he has advised and invested in technology companies, created an activewear brand, and founded a film festival. He is an avid supporter and ambassador for Bond University, having served as President of the New York Alumni Committee. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Bond University, where he was also President of the Bond University Sports Association and received an award for Outstanding Service to Sport.

Emily Pugin (Class of 2009) is Assistant Director, First Nations Taskforce at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She is an experienced diplomat, lawyer and multilateral negotiator. Ms Pugin has represented Australia at UN negotiations on international security, development, human rights and climate change. Ms Pugin is passionate about strengthening connections between Bond University and its alumni. As a proud Kombumerri woman she looks forward to fostering a culture of genuine partnership and inclusivity for Bond’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates. She holds a Bachelor of International Relations and a Bachelor of Laws from Bond University and a Master of Public Policy from the Australian National University.