Innovation, Entrepreneurship Creativity
Charles Sturt University Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – Innovation, Entrepreneurship Creativity
This award recognises alumni who have made an extraordinary impact through innovation in their industry or profession. This encompasses all industry sectors, for example, agriculture, technology, allied health, the arts, culture, and/or creative sectors.
Winner
Winner: Tara James
Career: Founder and Managing Director of Small and Might Group, CEO TekCyte
Course: Bachelor of Business (Marketing), 2006
Tara James is the Founder and Managing Director of Small and Mighty Group, a remote-first global consultancy that helps complex, knowledge-rich tech companies scale, attract investment, and expand into international markets. With more than 20 years of experience, she has worked across biomedical, medtech, greentech, manufacturing, and more, helping Australian innovations unlock growth and global impact.
Under Tara’s leadership, Small and Mighty has grown into a sought-after collective of experts in marketing, business development, leadership and organisational psychology. She also established two sister divisions: Industry Commercialisation Agency, focused on advancing Australian industry and innovation, and The Retail Academy, dedicated to skills development in the retail sector.
Southern Green Gas is one of many companies to benefit from her strategic insight, winning Elon Musk’s X-Prize and securing major investment. Another client, biotech company TekCyte, invited Tara to become CEO after her guidance proved transformational. She now leads the global commercialisation of its groundbreaking BIOINVISIBLE coating, which prevents infections in medical implants.
Tara is passionate about sustainable business and creating long-term, values-driven growth. She holds a Charles Sturt Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and a Graduate Diploma in Law from Southern Cross, and has completed the AICD Company Directors Course.
