2007 Winner and Finalists

sarah_nicholson 2007 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER – Sarah Nicholson
Chemical Engineer, BHP Billiton TechnologySarah graduated from the University of Queensland in 2001 with combined bachelor degrees in chemical engineering and arts, majoring in political science. She has worked for the last five years as a chemical engineer in the field of process development for the mining and minerals industry. Her work has taken her to Brisbane, Gladstone, Townsville and most recently Newcastle where she is based at BHP Billiton’s Newcastle Technology Centre. To date Sarah’s work has been largely technical but increasingly it is involving larger components of management and business strategy which has prompted her decision to undertake an MBA. Away from work, Sarah is an active member of Engineers Australia and a keen musician. She currently plays viola with the Hunter Symphonia.
catherine Catherine Waldby – Awarded Feeshare Scholarship of 13,000 GBP
Associate Director, Treasurer and Commodities division, Macquarie Bank, Responsible Officer for Macquarie Risk Advisory Services Ltd.Catherine has extensive international experience in establishing and managing new business ventures, holding positions of significant responsibility in these operations. During her career Catherine has worked in Sydney, Seoul, Geneva, and London. Since returning to Sydney in mid-2004, Catherine has managed the risk advisory services business within her division. Catherine is a keen traveller, and enjoys exposure to new cultural experiences. Catherine has been involved in mentoring indigenous performing arts students and the challenges of feature film development in her ‘spare’ time. She particularly values the opportunity offered by the Cranfield programme to further develop her management and personal skills, and to interact with students and staff from a broad range of international backgrounds.
mark_buyck Mark Buyck – Awarded Fees Bursary of 10,000 GBP
Senior Manager – Cash Products ANZAfter completing an engineering/commerce degree, Mark started his working life as a management consultant and then moved to work for Ansett airlines. For the past five years, Mark has worked for the ANZ bank. His current role, as the Senior Manager -Cash products, is to manage the personal cash accounts within the Banking Products division, representing over $18billion in funds under management and 1M accounts. Mark also manages to balance this with an active interest in triathlons. Mark recently completed the gruelling Australian ironman championships. Mark’s interest in completing an MBA stems from a strong desire to continue his management education and expand his softer management skills for which Cranfield is renown. He also believes it will be an amazing opportunity to make new friends and develop life long contacts from diverse & varied backgrounds.
john_miocevich John Miocevich – Awarded Fees Bursary of 6,500 GBP
Senior Consultant/Systems Engineer – Codarra Advanced SystemsJohn started studying Engineering at the age of 16, completing a both Diploma and Degree qualifications. While running his own Engineering company, John completed a Graduate Diploma of Management by correspondence from Deakin University. John’s company, Paradigm Product Development, developed equipment in the mining, forestry and oil and gas industries and in 2000 won an Engineering Excellence Award from the Institution of Engineers for the design and development of a heavy industrial vehicle. John has been working on the Australian Light Armoured Vehicles used by the Australian Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. John’s interests include martial arts (yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do), boxing and sailing (Qualified in-shore Skipper). He is also currently completing a Diploma in Photojournalism. His interest in completing the Cranfield MBA is to achieve his goal of working in the buyout/takeover of technology companies and on developing Australian technologies to take on international markets.
belinda_piper Belinda Piper – Awarded Fees Bursary of 6,500 GBP
Carcia Design, Consultant/FounderBelinda Piper grew up in Sydney, and has lived, studied and worked in Australia, the UK and Austria. After completing a Biology degree at the University of London she spent seven years working in the finance and IT industries, before taking a departure from corporate life to start her own web and graphic design business, Carica Design. She is looking forward to the Cranfield Experience for her MBA for many reasons including the exciting and challenging course content and structure, the quality faculty and students, and the strong Australian and international Alumni network. Belinda speaks fluent German, is a keen tennis and soccer player and in 2006 won a silver medal for beach sprinting at the Australian National Surf Lifesaving Championships.