Sydney University Graduates Union North America

We are alumni and friends of the University of Sydney who run social and networking events throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, aimed at connecting with one another and remaining connected to the university. We are always excited about ideas from our members about how best to do this. Some of our previous activities have also included larger scale conferences, alumni awards, and scholarships. We welcome into our group students from USyd who are here temporarily as part of their studies or training, and we are proud to represent the interests of our members in North America.

Thanks for joining us in Vancouver!

We had a great turnout at at the Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Centre in downtown Vancouver on Saturday 23 May 2026. More updates to come!

2026 Annual General Meeting

• Our 2026 AGM was held virtually on August 10, 2026. Members elected a new Board Director, Vish Ponnampalam and continuing Directors, Ron Ettinger and Christopher Lawrance for two year terms ending in 2028. Congratulations all! We also thank outgoing Directors Jenny Green and President Emeritus Richard Southby, who is stepping down as a voting Board member, but remains ex officio.

• We were also delighted to welcome Professor Victoria Cogger, founding Executive Director of the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator, who gave a wonderful keynote presentation.

• In very sad news, current SUGUNA Board member, Angela Wales Kirgo passed away at the end of July. Outgoing Board member Jenny Green gaving a moving tribute to Angela’s long service to SUGUNA at the AGM.

_{Professor Victoria Cogger Founding Executive Director of the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator, discussed the future of biomedical innovation and research translation.}

Photo credit: SUGUNA

Who can join?

Membership of SUGUNA is open to all graduates of the University of Sydney, former students whose study did not proceed to the awarding of a degree, former faculty members or employees, and/or any other person who has, as goals, the promotion of academic excellence and material prosperity for the University. It is intended to be for people who primarily reside in one of the three North American countries (United States, Canada and Mexico).

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Join the mailing list! Joining the mailing list and joining SUGUNA are the same thing. This will enable you to and participate in business decisions of SUGUNA, and receive updates about the organization and events. If you are already a SUGUNA member, please update your contact information, such as email address. Membership dues are not required.

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Joining SUGUNA and the mailing list does not update your details with the University. Although we closely collaborate with the University of Sydney as an affiliate of the international alumni network, we are a independent US-based non-profit organization. We also encourage you to update your details with the University directly.

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Who are we?

We are a United States-based 501(c)7 not-for-profit organisation operating since 1990 that works with alumni and the extended USyd community to support each other and the University of Sydney in North America. You can download our current by-laws as amended in the Special Meeting of Members held August 11, 2025. You can read more about our mission and history at About Us.

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Board of Directors

_{Click on name to view biography.}

Alex Lancaster President (2027)

BSc '91, BE(Elec) '94

Dr Alex K Lancaster is an evolutionary biologist, engineer, writer and consultant. He is an affiliate of the Institute for Globally Distributed Open Research and Education, and a Partner at Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Amber Biology. Dr Lancaster has over 20 years of experience in many aspects of computational and systems biology, including pioneering work in complex systems research.

Julia Elmer Vice-President (2027)

MIntPH '06

Dr Julia Elmer earned her Master of International Public Health degree from the University of Sydney in 2005. She originally moved from Brazil to Australia to complete part of her MBA degree at QUT in Brisbane and then remained in the country for over five years. She is now based in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, where she serves as Huntington National Bank's first Multicultural Banking Strategy Leader.

Fred Kam Treasurer (2027)

BSc ’80 BE (Civil) ’82 ME ‘83

Even though Fred’s degrees are in engineering, his entire career was spent in IT. In 1994 he joined the Wall Street firm PaineWebber in New York, supporting the Mutual Funds business. In 2000, the Swiss bank UBS, acquired PaineWebber. Fred became involved with the client communication portfolio that included client statements, trade confirms, and client letters. In 2024, he retired as an IT Director after 30 years of service with UBS. Fred also served as the President of SUGUNA in 2015.

Patrick Ward Secretary (2027)

BCom(Liberal Studies) '16

Patrick Ward is the Founder of NanoGlobals, an expert-led platform that helps mid-size tech companies tap into global markets through remote hiring, offshoring, and international market expansion. Patrick is an accomplished public speaker, teaching marketing workshops at General Assembly, Nonprofit Learning Lab, Serendipity Labs & California Lutheran University and Guest Lecturing at the University of Southern California. He is the author of “Marketing Transformation: Why Your Marketing Mindset is Holding Your Organisation Back”

Ronald Ettinger (2028)

BDS ’66, MDS ’70, DDSc ’92

Dr Ron Ettinger is an alumnus of the University of Sydney, and also holds a Certificate of Gerontology from the University of Iowa. He is a fellow of the American and International College of Dentists, a Diplomate of the American Board of Special Care Dentistry. He is a past-president of the American Society for Geriatric Denistry, has published extensively and lectured throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. He currently serves as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Prosthodontics and the Dows Institute for Dental Research at the University of Iowa.

Chris Lawrance (2028)

MEd(Res) '16

Chris is the Regional Manager Americas and Europe at the University of Sydney. Chris holds a Master of Education (Research) from the University of Sydney. Coming from an education background, he has worked in teaching, teacher training, curriculum development and student recruitment in most parts of the world at one time or another.

Xaever Mand (2027)

BArch '12, MArch '16

Xaever Mand is based in New York City where he runs his own studio, EndoExo, a design practice exploring the intersection of Architecture, Object Design and Art. He also teaches at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, having previously taught at the University of Sydney and Kean University. Xaever graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Design in Architecture and a Masters of Architecture, following which he worked for architecture firms in Sydney, London and New York City , with notable completed projects including the Sir John Monash Centre at the Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux, France and the Port Lands Bridges in Toronto, Canada.

Vish Ponnampalam (2028)

BE(Info Sys)(Hons) '96, PhD '01

Vish Ponnampalam is a University of Sydney alumnus, holding a BE and PhD from the Faculty of Engineering. He is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a senior technology leader with more than 25 years of experience in AI infrastructure and networking, Vish has held roles at leading global technology companies including Google and Meta. Vish is also a Sydney for Good campaign ambassador and responded to our recent call for getting involved with SUGUNA, focusing on supporting alumni engagement, especially in California, and strengthening connections across the global University of Sydney community.

Louisa Teo (2027)

BA '95, MCom '01

Based in Cambridge, MA, Louisa Teo oversees the American Australian Association's programs in New England. She joined the American Australian Association in 2008 and since 2015 has also served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Australian Universities & Schools USA Foundation. She is a graduate of the Boston University Questrom School of Business and Sydney University.

Richard F. Southby President Emeritus

PhD(Med), Monash FFPHM

(Non-voting, ex-officio)

Dr Richard Southby has studied at the University of Melbourne, Cornell University and Monash University, where he completed his doctoral studies. Throughout his distinguished career he has served as the commissioner on the Australian Hospitals and Health Services Commission, and has held teaching and research positions at Monash University, the University of Sydney and George Washington University. He is currently Dean and Distinguished Professor of Global Health Emeritus at George Washington University.

_{Each Director’s two-year term ends in the year above.}