Distinguished Alumna Kim Jackson Receives Honorary Doctorate from ANU
ANU honoured Kim Jackson’s leadership during a ceremony that also celebrated the graduation of the first Kim Jackson Scholar, Kayleigh Sleath.
Canberra, February 02, 2026 – The Australian National University (ANU) has awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters to distinguished alumna and executive leader Kim Jackson, recognising her outstanding career as one of Australia’s leading investors across technology and infrastructure, as well as her contribution to women, technology and engineering.
A highly regarded role model for women within engineering, investment and beyond, Ms Jackson has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing access to education in STEM through the Kim Jackson Scholarship, supporting greater opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
Ms Jackson received the honorary doctorate at the University’s graduation ceremony at Llewellyn Hall on Friday, 30 January 2026, where she delivered an address to graduating students from the ANU College of Systems and Society.
Honorary doctorates are conferred by ANU to recognise exceptional scholarship, citizenship or service. Ms Jackson joins a cohort of prominent Australians who have received an honorary doctorate from ANU, including Her Excellency The Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, The Honourable Dame Ǫuentin Bryce AD CVO, His Excellency The Honourable Kevin Rudd AC, Ken Henry AC and The Honourable Robert French AC.
A graduate of the University’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce, Ms Jackson spoke of the formative role the ANU played in shaping her career and values.
“ANU taught me how to think, how to sit with complexity, and how to solve problems,” Ms Jackson said. “To receive this honour from the institution that helped shape how I learn and lead is profoundly meaningful to me.”
Ms Jackson’s career has spanned engineering, infrastructure, investment banking, funds management and venture investing. She is the co-founder of Skip Capital and Skip Foundation, through which she backs founders, technologies and infrastructure projects with a focus on life-long impact.
In her address, Ms Jackson encouraged graduates to measure success not by titles or achievements alone, but by the impact they have on others.
“Build things that matter,” she said. “Lift people as you climb. Leave teams and systems better than you found them.”
Ms Jackson said this belief was the foundation for establishing the Kim Jackson Scholarship, which supports women from regional and rural backgrounds studying engineering at ANU.
This year marks a significant milestone for the program, with the first Kim Jackson Scholar, Kayleigh Sleath, graduating at the same ceremony. Ms Sleath completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Research and Development) (Honours).
Ms Sleath expressed her excitement about graduating and her gratitude for the scholarship and the opportunities it provides to her and others.
“I still remember finding out I had received this scholarship like it was yesterday; I literally jumped up and down crying with excitement in my childhood bedroom,’’ said Ms Sleath
“It’s surreal to be graduating and to see that the community of curious, kind, wonderful Kim Jackson scholars has grown to fill an entire room. I’m so grateful for the opportunity I was granted, and I hope that one day I’ll be able to pay it forward.”
Since the scholarship’s establishment in 2019, the number of female students in ANU undergraduate engineering has increased to 27 per cent.
ANU Interim Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Rebekah Brown FASSA, said the honour recognised not only Ms Jackson’s achievements, but the values she has championed throughout her career.
“Kim Jackson exemplifies the kind of leadership that changes systems, not just outcomes,” Professor Brown said.
“Through her career and philanthropy, she has helped remove barriers to education and created pathways for talented students who might otherwise not have had the opportunity. That principle sits at the heart of Australia’s national university.’’
“It is especially fitting to honour Kim at a ceremony that also celebrates the graduation of the first Kim Jackson Scholar. This moment reflects the enduring impact of her commitment to equity, opportunity, and the belief that talent exists everywhere.”
In closing her address, Ms Jackson encouraged graduates to work out their passions and values, back themselves, and measure success by the impact they have on others.
“You are graduating at a moment of extraordinary possibility,” she said.
“My hope for you is that you leave ANU confident in your capability and intentional about how you use it. Choose the hard, meaningful paths. Back yourself.”
ENDS
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