CASE Asia-Pacific Leadership Award
The CASE Asia-Pacific Leadership Award celebrates CASE member institutional chief executive officers, system heads, and trustees for outstanding efforts in promoting and supporting education and institutional advancement.
CASE celebrates the leadership, innovation, and impact of professionals from different lived experiences. As in all its initiatives, CASE values inclusivity, and therefore, the Individual Achievement Awards actively seek the broadest possible set of nominations from institutions and individuals across the globe.
To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the following requirements:
- Institutional CEO, system head, or trustee (current or retired) for a CASE member institution.
- Institutionally Related Foundations or self-governed alumni association CEOs and trustees are not eligible for nomination.
- Current members of the CASE Regional Councils are not eligible for nomination.
- Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Professor Carolyn Evans
The Leadership Award recognises CASE member institutional heads, presidents, chancellors, system heads, or other campus chief executive officers for outstanding efforts in promoting and supporting education and institutional advancement.
Since becoming Vice Chancellor of Griffith University in 2019, Professor Evans has championed philanthropy and alumni engagement, surpassing ambitious goals of AU$125 million raised and 100,000 alumni interactions. She strengthened advancement by appointing a vice president to her executive team and led transformative projects, including a major social justice initiative with the Paul Ramsay Foundation and a world-first spinal cord repair trial. During her previous role at the University of Melbourne, she also co-created the AU$30 million Hansen Scholarship Programme and founded the McMullin Centre on Statelessness. Widely admired by colleagues for her unwavering commitment to equity, excellence, and engagement, Professor Evans has helped elevate Griffith’s global reputation and philanthropic strength. She has also been a valued CASE contributor, sharing her insights across our programmes.
The award was presented on 15 May 2025 at the Asia-Pacific Advancement Conference.
CASE Asia-Pacific Distinguished Service Award
The CASE Asia-Pacific Distinguished Service Award celebrates inspirational advancement professionals whose accomplishments and service to CASE have made a significant and lasting impact on institutional advancement. The award acknowledges individuals whose embodiment of the spirit of CASE, particularly leadership and generosity in sharing knowledge with the community of practice, have earned the respect and admiration of fellow colleagues.
CASE celebrates the leadership, innovation, and impact of professionals from different lived experiences. As in all its initiatives, CASE values inclusivity, and therefore, the Individual Achievement Awards actively seek the broadest possible set of nominations from institutions and individuals across the globe.
To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the following qualifications:
- From a CASE member institution or Educational Partner or retired from a CASE member institution.
- Made significant contributions to CASE through volunteer service.
- Current members of the CASE Regional Councils are not eligible for nomination.
- Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Mark Bentley
The Distinguished Service Award recognises inspirational advancement professionals whose accomplishments have made a significant and lasting impact on institutional advancement and whose life and character have earned the respect and admiration of fellow colleagues.
Since joining the university in 2013, Mark has led the For All Our Futures campaign, raising a total of NZ$380 million and engaging 120,000 alumni—achieving a remarkable 60% participation rate. His strategic yet grassroots approach included ten faculty-based “mini-campaigns” embedded within individual faculties and research institutes, and New Zealand’s first student phone appeal. Besides campaigns, Mark has built a world-class multidisciplinary advancement team, introduced a data-driven Business Intelligence unit, and championed digital-first giving, among other initiatives. He also established the Kupe Leadership Scholarships and stewarded the university’s largest-ever gift. A national leader in advancement, Mark has been chairing the New Zealand Universities Directors of Advancement since 2014 and has contributed extensively to CASE through committees, benchmarking efforts, and global initiatives. A generous mentor and collaborator, Mark’s impact is felt far beyond his institution.
The award was presented on 14 May 2025 at the Asia-Pacific Advancement Conference.