Favourite food: Char Kuay Teow (Malaysian Fried Rice Noodles)
Favourite drink: beer – Coopers, Little Creatures Rogers, Epic, Belhaven Twisted Thistle
Place I want to visit next: Malaysia!
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: David Brent, Michael Scott, Omar
Favourite way to unwind: boxing with Rhys
I like working at Makers Empire because: we get to make stuff!
Official bio: After completing a Bachelor in Computers Science (Hons) and a Bachelor of Law (Hons) at Adelaide University, Jon studied a Master of Science (IT) at Carnegie Mellon University on a full scholarship. He then worked in software development at IBM, Internode and the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Jon also founded a profitable web startup profitable with 60,000 users and was responsible for the IT systems and trading platform of a quantitative hedge fund.
Favourite food: Ferrero Rocher
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Batman, Richard Branson and Julia Roberts
Place to visit next: Brazilian F1 Grand Prix
Favourite way to unwind: the beach
Likes working at Makers Empire because: they are like family
Career highlights: world’s first successful scramjet experiment at Woomera Rocket Range, Guinness World Record with about 1000 students designing in HK. Launching Makers Empire.
Official bio: along with Jon, Anthony and Roland, Lap was a co-founder of Makers Empire. After completing his studies, Lap worked as a management consultant at SMS Management and Technology in Sydney and Hong Kong. He also founded consumer application, nepchin.com and men’s fashion label, lapmen.com.
Favourite food: vanilla slices
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Carol Dweck, Sir Ken Robinson and Santa Claus
Place to visit next: Scandinavia
Favourite way to unwind: long drives in the country with my family to find a bakery with vanilla slices.
Likes working at Makers Empire because: I like building something for young people that matters with people who care.
Career highlights: Working with teachers all over the world to help their students develop design thinking skills and solve real-world problems. Running into former students and discovering that they have now become awesome young adults.
Official bio: Mandi is an experienced and qualified classroom teacher who recognises the power of technology to enhance teaching and improve educational outcomes. She was the social impact winner of the 2019 Winnovation Award celebrating innovative South Australian women. Mandi has extensive experience with curriculum development and learning, having previously developed programs for the Australian Government’s Department of Education. She is passionate about Design Thinking and how best to prepare today’s students for the future.
Food: pizza
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Jack Ma, Elon Musk, Tim Cahill
Place to visit next: New York
Favourite way to unwind: sleep
Likes working for Makers Empire because: technically diverse, great people to work with, company with HUGE potential.
Career highlights: managed the IT for a film/media company in Adelaide for 7 years. Built a successful website from scratch to manage and measure the performance of University supervisors and students.
Official bio: Andrew has over 18 years commercial experience in the IT industry across a broad range of projects and technologies. He has extensive experience in IT management, web/mobile development, systems administration, hosting, scaling and support
Favourite Food: Chicken Rice
Favourite Drink: Mango Lassi
Place I want to visit next: Galapagos
Three people I would like to have dinner with: Gordon Ramsay, President Obama and Mr Lego
Favourite way to unwind: beach
I like working at Makers Empire because: we help get kids excited about learning!
Favorite food: Schnitzel.
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Einstein, Arthas Menethil and Illidan Stormrage.
Place to visit next: Antarctica.
Favorite way to unwind: Sleep.
Likes working at Makers Empire because: it’s fun and challenging.
Career highlights: Making an mobile online RPG from scratch.
Official bio: Puzhi is a Unity Developer of Makers Empire. After completing his software engineering studies at Adelaide University, Puzhi worked as a developer at FoxieGames in Adelaide and participated in the development of mobile game, Horse Riding Tales.
Favourite Food: My (late) Grandmother’s chicken soup.
Three People: John Carmack (creator of Doom, id Software), Wil Wright (designer of Simcity) and Claude Monet.
Place to visit next: Barcelona
Favourite way to unwind: Something creative and artsy.
Likes working at Makers Empire because: The creative atmosphere and vision for developing engaging, gamified, educational products.
Career highlights: Finishing my PhD, winning an Australian Teaching & Learning Award, and reaching 100K+ students taught from my online courses.
Official Bio: Dr Penny de Byl is the founder and CEO of Holistic3D.com an online education provider of courses in computer game development and related subjects. Throughout her career, in universities both nationally and abroad, she has been driven by her love of visual art and computer programming. Her passion lies in developing algorithms to generate 3d game environments and revealing the beauty of mathematics through her work to students. She’s written many research papers focusing on games-based learning in addition to books on the Unity Game Engine, OpenGL and Python. Penny is also the proud mother of Tabytha, who is currently undertaking studies in mathematics and computer science at the University of Queensland.
Favourite food: Penang Assam Laksa
Favourite drink: Gin and Tonic. Soy Latte.
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Tina Fey, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mindy Kaling.
Place I want to visit next: Japan (again)
Favourite way to unwind: writing, reading, cooking, visiting markets, weekend getaway, Netflix
Likes working at Makers Empire because: I get to do new things every day. The people are nice. I like working with my brother.
Career highlights: running the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. My food and travel blog, The Hungry Australian, winning the Australian Writers’ Centre’s national Best Australian Blogs 2014 competition. Being commissioned to shoot restaurants and wineries for the 500+ page coffee table book, Flavours of South Australia.
Official bio: Christina has worked for over twenty years in senior management and marketing roles for leading arts, culture and education organisations in Australia, Asia and England. She is also a multi-award-winning writer, photographer, recipe developer, consultant and blogger. Her creative work has appeared in numerous international magazines and publications. See www.christinasoong.com
Favourite food: Dark chocolate
Favourite drink: Depends on the time of day! Favourite bookends are a latte and a glass of shiraz
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Tim Minchin, Sir David Attenborough, Joanna Lumley
Place I want to visit next: The Rocky Mountains
Favourite way to unwind: Ballroom and Latin dancing
Likes working at Makers Empire because: I’m part of a team of innovative and creative colleagues making something special and impactful for teachers and young people.
Career highlights: The privilege of learning from so many people with incredible wisdom and skills, from school leaders, colleagues, learning consultants, scientists and artists to the students themselves. One particularly memorable highlight was taking the Museum on a Roadshow to the APY Lands.
Official Bio – Sharon is a passionate educator with over 30 years of experience as a teacher, school leader, learning manager, curriculum developer and learning consultant. Her diverse career in education has included roles in a wide variety of schools settings, curriculum departments and cultural organisations. She is committed to supporting students to thrive as confident learners and compassionate, respectful people who think deeply, question ideas, try new things and know how to help make their world better.
Favourite Food: Any type of carb shell thing filled with something i.e. dumplings, pierogi, ravioli
Favourite Drink: Pina colada (tropical drink)
Place I want to visit next: Take my kids and partner to Italy to meet the rellies and see the sites
Three people I would like to have dinner with: 3 close friends. I don’t get to see them much these days and I don’t know how to talk to famous people.
Favourite way to unwind: go to a good gig
I like working at Makers Empire because: Great team to work alongside who only sweat the important things
Career highlights: Being pretty multi-disciplinary! Regarded as useful at 2 companies (I think!); Coordinating events for Makers Empire (I like parties!) and working for SA Pathology – I’m also a Medical Scientist at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Haematology, Biochemistry and Transfusion.
Favourite food: Thai
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Michelle Obama, Bentley Dean, Poh Ling Yeow
Place to visit next: Tasmania
Favourite way to unwind: Camping with family and friends and doing night sky photography
Likes working at Makers Empire because: It’s great working with creative and talented people on projects that are making a difference to students’ learning outcomes and the wider world.
Career highlights: Leading environmental projects with students and their communities to raise awareness about the importance of looking after waterways and other natural places. Developing a school-based catchment care website recognised by a national Earthworm Science award. Activating digital technologies to empower students to document and share their learning in innovative ways.
Official bio: Mel is an experienced educator having spent over three decades working in a range of roles and primary school settings across Australia. Mel is passionate about the role that technologies and real-life learning opportunities play in enhancing educational outcomes. In recent years she has turned her attention to educational film making.
Favourite food: Indian and Sushi
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Michelle Obama, Keanu Reeves, Dave Grohl
The place I want to visit next: Switzerland
Favourite way to unwind: organizing, listening to music, watching a series
Likes working at Makers Empire because: I get to be a part of the impact on students’ growth and development of their design skills.
Official bio: Melissa graduated from the University of Florida with a BA.E and M.Ed in elementary education and TESOL. She started her teaching career as a second grade teacher and continued her education by attending Florida International University earning an Ed.S in Curriculum and Instruction. After teaching for 6 years in Miami, Florida, she moved to NC and led as the Summer Programs Director at an independent school for 5 years where she grew the program by 250%. She currently serves as the Technology Director at this school and teaches technology skills to Pre-K through 8th grade students, coaches middle school volleyball and basketball, and serves as a middle school advisor. Melissa joined the Maker’s Empire team after having first hand experience using Maker’s Empire in the classroom, believing in the program’s philosophy, and seeing the positive impact the program has made on the students at her school. Melissa is a mother of 3 teenagers, 1 mini Australian Shepherd puppy, and 2 cats.
Favourite food: Rice
Place I want to visit next: The USA to visit friends
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Freya Holmer, John Carmack, JVne
Favourite way to unwind: The Scream Cube
Like working at ME because: The people. I get to share in all the cool things people are working on and learn so much.
Official bio: Alex is a software engineer with a background in computer graphics, video game design and real time rendering. Prior to joining Makers Empire she spent a decade teaching Computer Science at The University of Adelaide. Alex likes to illustrate, design and engage in artistic pursuits.
Favourite Food: Mum’s Pasta Bake, nothing else quite comes close!
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Any 3 friends. Life can get in the way sometimes and it can be hard to get everyone together.
The place I want to visit next: Sweden or Norway! The landscapes look incredible and I’d love to see them with my own eyes!
Favourite way to unwind: It’s hard to narrow down to just one, but playing games with friends, making games in Unity and watching shows & movies are some of my favourites!
Likes working at Makers Empire because: It’s fulfilling and fun working on software that will help support and nurture creative passions in kids and give them something other than standard book recitals and maths problems to work on. I wish I had something like this when I was going through school that’s for sure!
Official Bio: I studied for a Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development and a Diploma of Screen Media at AIE over the course of two years and had an absolute blast doing so. Makers Empire is my breakout role into the development industry and I’m keen to see what the future has in store! Before Makers Empire, I worked at Bunnings for 4 ½ years and no, before you ask, my discount doesn’t work anymore!
Favourite food: Pizza
Favourite drink: Coffee
Place I want to visit next: Maldives
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Dr. Magdi Yacoub, J. K. Rowling and Marie Curie.
Favourite way to unwind: spending time with my family.
Like working at ME because: I enjoy being a member of this remarkable team, where everyone is incredibly friendly. Moreover, It is fulfilling to contribute to the creation of something that inspires children to be creative, and even more rewarding to witness their creations come to life.
Official bio: After graduating from the University of Alexandria’s Chemical Engineering Department in Egypt, Noha obtained a diploma in Software Engineering. She then worked as a software developer for several software companies in Alexandria before branching out into freelancing. In addition to her professional pursuits, Noha takes pride in being a mother of two and enjoys engaging in hobbies such as reading, traveling, and learning about different cultures.
Favourite food: Sichuan food (hot and spicy)
Favourite drink: green tea
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Xi Jinping, Barack Obama, Bob Iger
Place I want to visit next: Hokkaido, Japan
Favourite way to unwind: reading a book in a cosy place or spa
Likes working for Makers Empire because: it’s nice to be part of a family company. Opportunity to learn lots of new tech from amazing professionals.
Career highlights: becoming part of the team at Makers Empire. Previously, I worked for the China Leather Association, exported South Australian wine to China, and provided admin support for KESAB for our beautiful Australian Environment.
Favourite food: Buttered Shrimp
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Gigi Hadid, Ellen DeGeneres, Catriona Gray
The place I want to visit next: Cedar Point Amusement Park
Favourite way to unwind: Eat and Travel
Likes working at Makers Empire because: Awesome teammates and work-life balance. I love to learn a lot of things while working with amazing people.
Official bio: A graduate of BSBA Management Accounting and landed a job in the private and public sectors. I recently worked as an Administrative Assistant and Trainer in one of the agencies of the government and as an HR in one of the BPO companies in the Philippines.
Favourite food: fried foods
Favourite drink: mango shake
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: My friends from college: Marivic, Mau Wee, Dominique
Place I want to visit next: Baguio
Favourite way to unwind: watching a movie or series, reading a good book
Likes to work at Makers Empire because: People are here so passionate about making things better. I liked how the company makes sure that they are of help to students to learn creatively.
Official Bio: a graduate of Secondary Education and a licensed professional teacher. Her first job was an online English teacher to Chinese learners.
Favourite food: ice cream
Three people you’d like to have dinner with: Sarah Geronimo, Angel Locsin, Catriona Gray
The place I want to visit next: Hongkong Disneyland
Favourite way to unwind: beach
Likes working at Makers Empire because: Great people to work with and I love to learn and experience new things from wonderful professionals.
Official bio: After graduating from my degree in college, I landed a job in outsourcing companies and worked for seven years as a data support, analyst and research specialist. The world of tech and my work experiences led me to online work, which I appreciate and want to explore more.
Three people you’d like to have dinner with: Charlie Chaplin, Rodrigo Duterte, Elon Musk
Favourite food: grilled tuna belly
The place I want to visit next: Japan
Favorite way to unwind: Watching movies and hanging out on the beach or camping in the mountains with friends.
Likes working at Makers Empire because: Exceptional team and a great company helping teachers and students nurture the power of creativity.
Official bio: Studied BS Computer Engineering at the University of Mindanao. For 6 years I worked as Sales and Tech Support for a VoIP company and Document Reviewer for a ride-sharing company based in San Francisco, California.
Favourite food: It might sound super cliche as a Japanese person but I love Sushi and Gyudon (Japanese beef & rice bowl)
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Lionel Messi (the best footballer) and Eiichiro Oda (the creator of ONE PIECE).
The place I want to visit next: Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, and New York City
Favourite way to unwind: Street dancing, watching anime, watching soccer and tennis games.I have been dancing for 7 years. I get to dance a couple of genres but I cannot do the headspin. I would probably break my neck.
Likes working at Makers Empire because: The company is filled with an enthusiastic and supportive working environment, which is nurtured by experienced, passionate, caring and friendly team members inspiring me everyday. While I face challenges for sure since this is my first time to work at a startup abroad, the company helps me step out of my comfort zone and improve my career, because they always give me plenty of opportunities. Great team!
Official bio: Takumi is in his fourth year studying a Bachelor of Political Science and Economics, majoring Policy Design at the Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan. He took a gap year to explore the possibilities of the design thinking that empowers children’s confidence by learning programs. In 2023, he got the Japanese government scholarship so he started studying Education, Design thinking and Entrepreneurship at Griffith University in Brisbane as a study abroad student. He then joined Makers Empire as an intern in 2024. He has mainly worked on projects related to Japan such as marketing research.
Favourite food : Sushi and Salads
Three people I’d like to have dinner with : Michelle Obama, Malala Yousafzai, Joey Wat
The place I want to visit next: it’s a tie between Cambodia and Tibet
Favourite way to unwind : Hiking, trekking, cycling , any kind of sporty activity or just chill at the beach!
Likes working at Makers Empire because: Makers Empire challenges me to be innovative while also allowing employees to make a meaningful impact on education. Working alongside passionate colleagues who are committed to the company’s vision makes the workplace dynamic and motivating.
Official Bio: Swathi is in her final semester of pursuing an MBA in Advertising and Brand Management at the University of South Australia. She joined Makers Empire in 2024, bringing with her experience as a sales coordinator at BYJU’S, where she honed her skills in strategic marketing and sales development.
Favourite Food: Spiced braised lamb with lemon and smoky eggplant
Favourite Drink: Grenache red wine
Place I want to visit next: Europe, specially Spain and Italy
Three people I would like to have dinner with: Alan Turing, Tim Berners-Lee, my dad
Favourite way to unwind: Gymming, hiking, playing computer games
I like working at Makers Empire because: I believe Makers Empire encourages fun and innovative learning for both educators and learners.
Official Bio: Siamak received his BSc degree in Computer Software Engineering from Karaj Azad University in 2011 in Iran. He completed his Master in Information Technology at the Flinders University of South Australia in 2016. Then, he completed a Graduate Diploma in Research Methods at Flinders University in 2017. He is currently a PhD candidate of the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University and an Online lecturer at University of South Australia . His research interests include mobile application development, serious games, technology use in education and vocabulary learning/teaching.
Favourite food: chocolate, donuts, anything sweet!
Favourite drink: Moscato, Gin
Place I want to visit next: Europe!
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Freddie Mercury, Ellen DeGeneres and Phoebe Buffay
Favourite way to unwind: taking my dogs out to cafes.
I like working at Makers Empire because: it’s a creative and happy environment where I am always learning!
Official bio: Holly is in her third and final year studying a Bachelor of Marketing at the University of Adelaide. Holly joined Makers Empire in 2020 on a marketing internship working with Christina Soong, the director of marketing. Holly has been managing the marketing activities for a local legal firm where she created the firm’s business site from scratch.
Career Highlight: My internship at Makers Empire, particularly receiving the opportunity during the midst of COVID-19!
3 people I’d have dinner with: Michelle Battersby (previous Bumble Aus CEO & KIC CMO), Michelle Obama, Serena Williams
Favourite Drink: Mocha (not quite converted to coffee yet!
Favourite Food: Chocolate!
Place to Visit Next: There are many, but New Zealand is on the list!
My Favourite way to unwind: Getting outside! Or listening to podcasts
I like working at Makers Empire because: I am able to put the theory I am learning at Uni straight into practice and develop on the job skills!
Official biography: Ella is in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and is also a part-time nanny. She took a gap year prior to studying, and completed her Certificate 3 in Business while working at a school as the Administration Officer. Ella enjoys numbers and analytics associated with marketing, and believes marketing and communications lies at the heart of any business.
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Michael Pompeo, Ka-Shing Li and Steve Jobs (too late for this one…)
Favourite drink: Honey Green tea
Favourite food: I love fine dining from all over the world.
A place to visit next: Antarctica. I must go there while I’m young enough to cope with the extreme temperature.
My favourite way to unwind: reading books and chilling in the natural environment.
I like working at Makers Empire because: For a marketer, working across multiple countries is more fun and challenging. Also, the culture and working environment at Makers Empire make me feel very welcome.
Career highlight: I have been working in the advertising and marketing industry for more than ten years. I am an all-rounder and can handle anything from project planning to advertising design and procurement. I like working on new projects that haven’t been done before. One of my previous projects was the first project that combined VR technology into an outdoor advertisement in Hong Kong.
Official bio: Thomas has recently graduated from a Master of Marketing at Adelaide University. He believes that the fusion of 3D printing and child learning experience is going to make our future better and that 3D printing is set to be the next industrial revolution.
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Larry David, Garry Shandling & George Miller.
Favourite drink: Iced Coffee.
Favourite food: Anything my mum cooks.
Place to visit next: My fridge.
My favourite way to unwind: Video chat with my friends from Congo and playing soccer.
I like working at Makers Empire because: They understand where my strengths and interests lie and are able to match me with work I enjoy doing!
Official bio: I am currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) at The University of Adelaide whilst simultaneously volunteering my time with E-Raced Mount Gambier in a marketing and communications based capacity.
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Emma Watson, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Carrie Bradshaw
Favourite drink: East End Hold Ups at 2KW
Favourite food: Thai would have to be my favourite!
Place to visit next: Europe, but Italy in particular, I was meant to visit there during the Australian winter, but unfortunately had to cancel.
My favourite way to unwind: I love practicing piano. I’m not that great, but hopefully getting better.
I liked working at Makers Empire because: I was given the opportunity to do real work for Makers Empire which contributed to the business. Even though I worked remotely I felt like I was a valued member of the workplace because everyone is so welcoming.
Career highlight: Getting to use the skills I have learnt at Makers Empire to help my boss implement new marketing strategies and tactics at my work. It has been so amazing to actually be able to use the skills to make a difference at my own workplace.
Official bio: Jessica worked as a Marketing Intern during her final year of university. She is studying a Bachelor of Media (Marketing) at the University of Adelaide and hopes to have a career in Marketing Communications and Public Relations. During her time at Makers Empire, Jessica worked under Christina Soong to promote Makers Empire through various social media channels. Currently, Jessica is in her final semester of study and is helping her workplace with their current marketing activities.
