Ones to watch - 40 outstanding young graduates named
10 October 2018
A hip hop artist, a teacher, and several global entrepreneurs are among the exceptional young graduates recognised by the University of Auckland in its annual 40 Under 40 list.
A hip hop artist, a teacher, and several global entrepreneurs are among the exceptional young graduates recognised by the University of Auckland in its annual 40 Under 40 list.
The list recognises alumni making a significant contribution to their field and community drawn from the categories of business leaders, influencers, performers, entrepreneurs, humanitarians, and disruptors and innovators.
Given the University graduates some 10,000 students each year making the list is a significant achievement.
“Many of the highest achievers produced by the University of Auckland are actually making huge contributions be it to business, technology or a social good before the age of 40,” says the Director of Alumni Relations and Development, Mark Bentley.
“The 40 Under 40 not only recognises alumni who are mid-career and have already made significant achievements in their chosen professions, but seeks to inspire the next generation of alumni leaders to make a difference in the world.”
Some of the stand-outs in the business categories include Dipra Ray of mPort, which makes 3D body mapping pods; Bowen Pan, who landed his dream job at age 27 in Facebook’s Video and Gaming division; and Dr Sudhvir Singh of Norwegian-based organisation EAT, which aims to disrupt the world's food production systems to be more equitable and sustainable.
Black Fern Eloise Blackwell is the first professional rugby player to be named on the list, not only for her sporting achievements but for her dedication to the teaching profession.
Award-winning musician David Dallas originally followed a passion for gaming by enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, from which he graduated in 2003.
“It made me realise, possibly for the first time in my life, that I was capable of sticking at something for as long as it takes to get the job done,” David says.
Notable humanitarians include engineering graduate Sam Lucas, who runs training in software programming for impoverished youth in Madagascar; and Alex Ng, who leads a health-focused philanthropic programme in China for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Many of the highest achievers produced by the
University of Auckland are actually making huge contributions be it to
business, technology or a social good before the age of 40.
Other notable entries on this year’s list include:
- LA-based singer Nadine Levitt, who completed a conjoint degree in music and law. Nadine founded Wurrly, a free app for vocalists that turns your phone into a handheld recording studio.
- Karl Loo, founder of ServisHero, a mobile marketplace for the service industry covering South East Asia. Karl graduated with a conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Laws in 2006.
- Wared Seger, founder and CEO of Parrot Analytics, which recently partnered with Guinness World Records to rank the world’s most popular TV shows. Wared received a Bachelor of Science in 2010.
- The first husband and wife to make the list. Political Studies graduate Esther Young is named in 2018 for founding New York-based angel investing fund, Young Shipping Company, which works in the social good and media technology sectors. Her husband Ben was on the list last year. Ben is the CEO of Nudge Analytics, also based in New York.
Read the full 40 Under 40 list.
Media enquiries:
Danelle Clayton | Media Adviser
Communications Office
Tel: 09 923 4149 Mob: 027 537 2580 Email: d.clayton@auckland.ac.nz