UQ CONTACT WINTER 2015 9

The Young Alumni Advisory Board (YAAB) is a select group of volunteer leaders who assist the University in delivering a variety of relevant services to recent graduates.

Board members are appointed on a competitive basis that reflects their ability to inspire, influence and serve the greater alumni community.

Stokes is also completing an MBA at UQ, as well as a Global Consulting Practicum with Wharton

Business School, in addition to being a member of the Young Alumni Advisory Board (YAAB).

It’s no surprise that in the collection of awards she’s amassed in her 27 years, Stokes has been named one of Queensland’s Leading Women, and won the Foundation for Young Australians’ Young and Extraordinary Award for her work in the not-for-profit sector.

Stokes is in good company in YAAB, working alongside some of the University’s most extraordinary young exports, including an Australian of the Year finalist, tech start-up owners, young doctors, countless award winners, and numerous ambassadors or volunteers for a range of causes.

“YAAB activities provide an opportunity for recent and young alumni to forge strong,

lasting relationships with peers from their alma mater,” said Stokes.

“The activities are, first and foremost, about taking advantage of the broad and diverse networks open to alumni by attending a world-class institution like UQ.

“At UQ, you know you are surrounded by some of the country’s best and brightest, and being involved with young alumni initiatives in particular

means you’re able to forge strong networks that can continue for life.”

Stokes said working on key projects, including establishing the YAAB Philanthropy Sub-Committee, and organising the inaugural YAAB fundraising event, have been highlights of her time on the board.

“Chairing the Philanthropy Sub-Committee and working with the team to promote its vision, values and purpose has been fantastic,” she said.

“I also really enjoyed organising the Young Alumni Sunday Session that we held at a local microbrewery.

“The event raised over $1000 for UQ scholarships, and we had a really strong attendance from current students and young alumni.”

Of how her time at UQ has helped shape her ability and motivation to be involved with the YAAB and countless other initiatives, Stokes suggests her time living on campus at International House was instrumental, offering great life and career lessons to propel her forward.

“Being a member of the International House Student Club Executive gave me the opportunity to experience real-world work scenarios involving people management, conflict resolution, reporting and finances,” she said.

“It was a soft introduction to a real career before I was 20.”

To find out more about YAAB, visit alumni.uq.edu.au/yaab.

YOUNG ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD

Laura Stokes.

YAAB members pictured front row, left to right: Oscar Hernández, Dr Tarni Cooper, Zoe Black, Dr Robert McLachlan, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Julia Bruerton and Laura Stokes. Back row, left to right: Elizabeth George, Chad Hardy, Rohan Watt, Siena Perry, Nkosana Mafico, Michelle Chee, Tom Mackay, Leighton Crisp, Cameron Schofield, Tayla Tatzenko, Wayne Chan, Dr Andy Mukherji and Carly Stephan.

In this issue of Contact, we meet YAAB member Laura Stokes (Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management ’10), who is the licensee for the popular TEDxSouthBank, a role she holds along with her day job as Advancement Director for International House, a UQ college.