Innovation Centre Team

Board of Directors

  • Professor Paul Thomas AM, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of the Sunshine Coast (Chairman)
  • Professor Mike Hefferan, Pro Vice-Chancellor Regional Engagement, University of the Sunshine Coast (Deputy Chairman)
  • Dr Karen Woolley, CEO, Proscribe Mr Mike Schwartz, Regional General Manager, Commercial Banking, QLD Metro North, Westpac
  • Mr John Nicholson, Businessman and Angel Investor

Management Team

Name: Colin Graham
Position: Chief Executive Officer

Colin is the founding CEO of the Innovation Centre. He is responsible for the Business Accelerator and building connections between businesses at the Innovation Centre and the University as well as supporting the Student Enterprise and Business Incubator Programs. Colin has a degree in Marketing from the University of Strathclyde and a Masters in Entrepreneurship from Glasgow Caledonian University. He is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His first job ..more
Name: Nigel Hall
Position: Manager, Business Incubator

Nigel manages the Innovation Centre’s Business Incubator, attracting and developing growth oriented start-up companies. Nigel began his career at Ernst & Young in Germany and then joined Biosym Technologies, a Molecular Design software company. He left Biosym to start Xpedite Systems Germany, a data and telecommunications services company. Following the trade sale of Xpedite in 1997, Nigel started HighwayOne Germany and became CEO of the European network operator and data service p..more
Name: Alison Glen
Position: Operations Manager

Alison manages the Innovation Centre facility and office systems, and is responsible for customer service - ensuring a smooth path for new businesses entering the building and supporting their needs as they grow. Alison is originally from Scotland and moved to Australia in 1990, living in Victoria for a few years before settling on the Sunshine Coast. She has worked in local government and the banking sector - working for St George Bank and Westpac - and has extensive administrative and cus..more
Name: Hayley Passmore
Position: Marketing Coordinator

Hayley organises and promotes all of the events and functions held by the Innovation Centre as well as looking after all of the marketing activities. Hayley manages the extensive database of business contacts, organises public relations campaigns, manages the website, and organises advertising material. Hayley completed a Bachelor of Business at the University of the Sunshine Coast and has had experience in marketing and public relations roles as well as in the Real Estate industry...more
Name: Amy Pitura
Position: Receptionist & Admin Assistant

Amy runs the Innovation Centre reception, greets visitors and handles customer enquiries. She is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the facility and maintains great relationships with all client companies. Amy is responsible for the hire of the Business Training Facility, assisting with organising all events, and maintaining the extensive database of business contacts. Amy is a Sunshine Coast local and has lived here for the past 18 years. Amy's key role in previous employ..more
Name: Erin Pyers
Position: Student Ambassador

Erin is the Innovation Centre's newly appointed Student Ambassador and is responsible for the smooth running of the UniConnect program at the Centre. This involves creating mutually beneficial relationships between the companies based at the Centre and the University of the Sunshine Coast students and staff. Erin is responsible for placing interns and work experience students, helping secure graduate positions for USC students, organising course projects to be completed using Innovation Centre t..more