University of Melbourne honours Airwallex co-founder Lucy Liu with revered Rising Star for Young Alumni Award

Co-founder and President of Airwallex, Lucy Liu, has been awarded the 2021 Faculty of Business and Economics Alumni of Distinction Rising Star for Young Alumni Award by the University of Melbourne. 

The Rising Star for Young Alumni Award was established by the University’s Business and Economics Alumni Council in 2012 to recognise under 35s who have demonstrated an outstanding level of professional achievement and community involvement since graduating. Previous recipients include Simon Griffiths, founder of the profit for purpose company, Who Gives a Crap, and paralympian Dylan Alcott OAM.

Nominated by her peers, Lucy is recognised for her outstanding leadership and contribution to supporting the next generation of technology leaders and emerging entrepreneurs in Australia. She was recently a participant in the Meeting for Good initiative with charity organisation, Starlight, which allows vendors to organise paid meetings with business leaders in Australia (with funds going to the charity). Lucy had also previously enlisted as an advisor for StartupVIC’s Office Hours program, where she provided 1-1 mentorship to startups, alongside her role as a startup advisor for the University of Melbourne’s Accelerator Program.

Lucy, a University of Melbourne Master of Finance and Bachelor of Commerce graduate, was praised in a letter from the University for her "work with early stage companies and founders,” her “drive to be a female role model”, making her "a truly deserving recipient of the Rising Star Award”. 

Commenting on the award win, the Alumni Relations Office for the Faculty of Business and Economics said, the Faculty is extremely proud to recognise Lucy’s outstanding level of professional achievement, leadership and community service to date. Lucy’s long list of incredible achievements at such a young age is an absolute inspiration. Her work with early-stage companies and founders, and her drive to be a female role model in the industry is equally inspiring and makes her a truly deserving recipient of the 2021 Rising Star Award for Young Alumni.

On the announcement, Lucy commented, “I am deeply honoured to be recognised with the Rising Star for Young Alumni Award. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to be guided and advised by a wonderful array of mentors, and so it has been incredibly important to me to give back to the startup community.” 

There is so much exciting talent emerging in Australia’s technology sector. I’ve always tried to share my time, learnings and experiences with the industry, getting involved in media opportunities, panel discussions and industry associations – particularly where I can add a woman’s voice in what can be a male-dominated space. No one can ever achieve success in isolation, so upon accepting this award I pay credit to those who have helped me get to where I am today.”

This recognition solidifies Lucy’s position as one of Australia’s leading women in business. The Rising Star award is the latest in a stack of accolades recognising Lucy’s contribution to the sector, some of which include: Forbes Asia’s Top 25 Power Businesswomen 2020, Ernst & Young Top 22 Entrepreneurial Winning Women in APAC 2020 and taking home Emerging Fintech Leader of the Year award at the 2020 Finnies.

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Related article: Lessons Learnt: How Airwallex China worked through COVID-19

For further information, please contact:

Michelle Narayan

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