

Benefit Dinner
Annual Benefit Dinner on Tuesday September 20, 2022.
Julie Sweet, Chair & Chief Executive Officer of Accenture, was honored in recognition of her leadership, innovation and commitment to a culture of diversity and inclusion. Julie Sweet has successfully led Accenture, one of the world’s largest and most-admired consulting and professional services firms, through a period of unprecedented change in business and society.
The evening showcased the Association’s Graduate Education and post-doctoral research scholars. Since 2002, the Association has invested over US$14 million to support more than 900 American and Australian scholars in a wide range of fields, including medicine, STEM and sustainability. Many of these alumni have gone on to become thought-leaders in their fields.
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Cipriani Wall St, New York
6:30 PM Reception | 7:30 PM Dinner
2022 Honoree

Julie Sweet
CHAIR & CEO, ACCENTURE
Julie Sweet is chair and chief executive officer of Accenture. She became CEO in September 2019 and assumed the additional position of chair in September 2021. Previously, she served as chief executive officer of Accenture’s business in North America, the company’s largest geographic market. Prior to that, she was Accenture’s general counsel, secretary, and chief compliance officer for five years. Before joining Accenture in 2010, Julie was a partner for 10 years in the law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.
Julie serves on the World Economic Forum Board of Trustees. Additionally, Julie is board chair of Catalyst and serves on the board of trustees for the Center for Strategic & International Studies and for the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities – Bridges from School to Work.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.
Julie has been recognized as one of Fortune‘s Most Powerful Women in Business and Forbes‘s 100 Most Powerful Women in the World.
Entertainment

Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger is a multiple award-winning, multi-platinum selling performer, singer, actress, dancer, and television personality, selling over 37 million singles worldwide and 16 million records as a solo artist. Formerly a member of one of the world’s best-selling music groups of all time, selling over 55 million records worldwide, she has graced the stages of London’s West End, performed at Madison Square Garden, voiced the character Sina in Disney’s animated blockbuster ‘Moana,’ starred in ABC’s remake of ‘Dirty Dancing,’ and is the resident panelist on the runaway TV phenomenon, The Masked Singer on FOX.
2022 Key Sponsors
Benefactors
Accenture
Our purpose:
To deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity
We help our clients become the next and best versions of themselves.
Learn more: www.accenture.comNorthrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a pioneering company. We design, develop, build and support some of the world’s most advanced products, from cutting-edge aircraft and next-generation spacecraft to unrivaled cyber security systems and all-seeing radars. Whether it’s making a 200 ton airplane invisible, predicting cyber attacks before they happen or solving the mysteries of the universe, wherever the boundaries of possible are being pushed, Northrop Grumman is there. Learn more: www.northropgrumman.com
Pratt Industries
Pratt is America’s 5th largest corrugated packaging company and the world’s largest, privately-held producer of 100% recycled containerboard, with more than 9000 highly-skilled, green-collar employees dedicated to the environment and sustainability. Pratt was founded in the USA more than 30 years ago and, since then, has shown dramatic growth with sophisticated manufacturing facilities in more than 27 states. Learn more: www.prattindustries.com
Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners
Stonepeak is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximately $37 billion of assets under management (as of March 31, 2021). Through its investment in defensive, hard-asset businesses globally, Stonepeak aims to create value for its investors and portfolio companies, and to have a positive impact on the communities in which it operates. Stonepeak sponsors investment vehicles focused on private equity and credit. The firm provides capital, operational support, and committed partnership to sustainably grow investments in its target sectors, which include transport and logistics, communications, water, energy transition, and power and renewable energy. Stonepeak’s Operating Partners and Senior Advisors, who help drive value for the firm both in the due diligence process and during post-acquisition operations, are seasoned industry veterans and include multiple former chief executives of publicly listed companies. Learn more: stonepeak.com
Platinum Sponsors
Allen & Co.
Allen Investments - Building relationships and financial plans for over 85 years. Learn more: alleninvestments.com
Bluescope Steel
BlueScope is a provider of innovative steel materials, products, systems and technologies, headquartered in Australia with operations spread across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and throughout Asia. Learn more: www.bluescope.com
Citi
While we're a global bank, our mission is simple: We responsibly provide financial services that enable growth and economic progress. Learn more: www.citigroup.com
Fox
Fox Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports and entertainment content through its iconic domestic brands including: FOX News, FOX Sports, FOX Entertainment, and the FOX Television Stations. These brands hold cultural significance with consumers and commercial importance for distributors and advertisers. The breadth and depth of our footprint allows us to deliver content that engages and informs audiences, develops deeper consumer relationships and creates more compelling product offerings. FOX maintains an impressive track record of news, sports, and entertainment industry success that will shape our strategy to capitalize on current strengths and invest in new initiatives. Learn more: www.foxcorporation.com
News Corp
News Corp is a global diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content to consumers and businesses throughout the world. The company comprises businesses across a range of media, including: news and information services, book publishing, digital real estate services, cable network programming in Australia and pay-TV distribution in Australia. Learn more: newscorp.com
Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Learn more: www.lockheedmartin.com
Mastercard
Mastercard is a global pioneer in payment innovation and technology connecting billions of consumers, issuers, merchants, governments & businesses. Learn more: www.mastercard.us
Morgan Stanley
At Morgan Stanley, clients come first. We help individuals, families, institutions and governments raise, manage and distribute the capital they need to achieve their goals. Learn more: www.morganstanley.com
Scale Facilitation
Scale Facilitation® is a New York-headquartered company with an innovation office in Victoria, Australia. The company has developed a novel model designed to accelerate innovation exchange between Australia and the United States. Learn more: www.scalefacilitation.com
Qantas
Founded in the Queensland outback in 1920, Qantas has grown to be Australia's largest domestic and international airline.
Gold Sponsors
Bechtel
Bechtel helps our customers deliver projects of purpose that create a lasting positive legacy. These are projects that create jobs and grow economies; improve the resiliency of the world's infrastructure; connect communities to resources and opportunity; get us closer to net zero; protect U.S. and allied interests; tackle critical environmental challenges to protect people and the planet; and accelerate progress to make the world a cleaner, greener, safer place. While expertise enables delivery, partnerships ensure long-term success, which is why we align everything we do to our customers’ goals. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents. Learn more: www.bechtel.com
CSL
Delivering on promises is what we do at CSL. Over a century ago in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, we made a promise to save lives and protect the health of people who were stricken with a range of serious and chronic medical conditions. Today, as a leading global biotech company, that same promise has never been stronger. We develop and deliver innovative biotherapies and influenza vaccines that save lives, and help people with life-threatening medical conditions live full lives. We are driven by our deep passion to serve hundreds of thousands of patients and other stakeholders around the world.
Sarah & Peter Beshar
Sarah Beshar is a senior executive, corporate advisor and strategist respected for strong operational, financial and legal skills. Throughout her career, she has advised senior executives and Boards of Fortune 500 companies. She is recognized within corporate and financial sectors globally for her capital markets, corporate finance, governance, compliance and international securities expertise. In 2017, Ms. Beshar was appointed a non-executive member of the Board of Directors of Invesco Ltd. As the fourth largest global asset manager with over $1.2 Trillion in assets under management, Invesco provides retail and institutional investors in over 150 countries investment capabilities across multiple asset classes. Currently, she serves on the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees. In 2018, Ms. Beshar was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Perth USAsia Centre, Australia’s preeminent foreign policy and trade think tank. In 2016, Ms. Beshar completed a successful thirty-year career at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, a global, $1B firm. While serving as the relationship partner for the firm’s largest client, she also managed large teams in executing and distributing investment products offered to the institutional and retail customer base of financial institutions. Ms. Beshar led countless IPOs, public and private debt and equity transactions (including spin-offs) for financial institutions globally and for US corporate clients. Ms. Beshar managed the $23B IPO for General Motors, one of the largest IPOs in the world and a significant victory for the U.S. government after bailing out GM during the financial crisis. She has a breadth of experience across multiple industries including professional services, automotive, consumer durables, energy, financial and retail. Ms. Beshar has worked for multinational clients across the United States, Asia and Europe. She is known for working effectively with regulators and government entities including the SEC, NYSE, the Department of the Treasury and the UK’s FCA. Ms. Beshar also served as Chief Operating Officer of the Global Capital Markets Group leading 100 lawyers and legal assistants across multiple offices. As a former member of senior management, she understands how to generate revenue and tightly manage expenses. In recognition of her legal and business expertise, Chambers Global ranks her as a Leading Lawyer and Diversity Magazine included Ms. Beshar in its “Woman Worth Watching”. Ms. Beshar was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Western Australia in Perth in 2015. She has served as a Trustee of both the University of Western Australia in America and Magdalen College at Oxford University in America. She is a member of the Corporate Board of the Lincoln Center and the Board of Trustees of Episcopal Charities, as well as a Conservation Fellow at the Whitney Museum. Ms. Beshar received an Honors Degree from Magdalen College at Oxford University as the inaugural Sir Robert Menzies Scholar, a national scholarship awarded to an Australian who exhibits academic excellence, leadership and athletic achievement. She earned a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Jurisprudence, both with Honors First Class distinction, from the University of Western Australia. She is a member of the New York State Bar and holds United States, United Kingdom and Australian citizenships. Ms. Beshar and her husband have three children and live in New York.
Sidley Austin
More than 150 years after the founding of our firm, Sidley today comprises a diverse group of legal professionals from many cultures who are dedicated to teamwork, collaboration and superior client service. Forging enduring relationships with the business community, while remaining attuned to the dynamic legal landscape, we understand and work to fulfill the needs of our global clients. We are proud to serve this varied and high-caliber group of market leaders, many of whom are pioneers in their respective industries and professions. Learn more: www.sidley.com
Silver Sponsors
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Cravath has been known as one of the premier U.S. law firms for two centuries. Each of our practice areas is highly regarded, and our lawyers are recognized around the world for their commitment to the representation of our clients’ interests. Throughout our history, we have played a central role in developing how law is practiced, how lawyers are trained and how business risk is managed. We are not, and do not strive to be, the largest law firm measured by number of offices or lawyers. Our goal is to be the firm of choice for clients with respect to their most challenging legal issues, most significant business transactions and most critical disputes. Learn more: www.cravath.com
Dow
Dow is a materials science leader committed to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for customers in packaging, infrastructure and consumer care. Learn more: www.dow.com
IFM Investors
IFM Investors is a leading global provider of investment services across infrastructure, debt investments, listed equities and private equity. Learn more: www.ifminvestors.com
Incitec Pivot Limited
An ASX 100 Company, Incitec Pivot Limited is a global leader in the resources and agriculture sectors with an unrelenting focus on Zero Harm. Incitec Pivot Limited contributes to the production of the infrastructure, food, clothing, shelter and energy people need every day through it's product and service delivery to the mining and agriculture industries. Learn more: www.incitecpivot.com.au
J.P. Morgan
J.P. Morgan is a global leader in financial services offering solutions to the world's most important corporations, governments and institutions. Learn more: www.jpmorgan.com
Kyndryl
Lendlease
Lendlease is an international property and infrastructure group with core expertise in shaping cities and creating strong and connected communities.
Being bold and innovative characterises our approach and doing what matters defines our intent.
We create award-winning urban precincts, new communities for older people and young families just starting out, retail precincts, and work places to the highest sustainability standards. We are also privileged to create essential civic and social infrastructure including state-of-the-art hospitals, universities and stadiums around the world.
Lendlease has been entrusted with many projects of public, cultural and social significance: constructing the Sydney Opera House, creating the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York, and restoring and renovating historic buildings such as London’s Tate Britain and National Theatre.
As we expand our experience and our footprint, we aspire to continue creating places people want and care about, and providing value for securityholders and the broader community.
Headquartered in Sydney, our people are located in four operating regions: Australia, Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Learn more: www.lendlease.comNational Australia Bank
WE’RE NAB. We exist to serve our customers and help our communities prosper. Today, there are more than 30,000 people, serving 9 million customers, at over 900 locations throughout Australia, New Zealand and around the world. Learn more: www.nab.com.au
Lowy Family
Paul Weiss LLP
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a firm of more than 1,000 lawyers with diverse backgrounds, personalities, ideas and interests who provide innovative and effective solutions to our clients’ most complex legal and business challenges. The firm represents some of the world’s largest publicly and privately held corporations, financial institutions and asset managers, and clients needing pro bono assistance. Paul, Weiss is widely recognized as having market-leading practices in public M&A, private equity, litigation, white-collar & regulatory defense, and restructuring, along with equally strong practices in employee benefits & executive compensation, intellectual property, personal representation, real estate and tax law. Learn more: www.paulweiss.com
Bronze Sponsors
Bondi Partners
Bondi Partners is an advisory firm offering strategic counsel in a rapidly-evolving world. With teams in Washington and Sydney, we work together to cover North America and Australia. Our team provides discreet counsel, impactful partnerships and tailored solutions. Learn more: bondipartners.com
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Commonwealth Bank is Australia's leading provider of integrated financial services. Learn more: commbank.com.au
Davis Polk LLP
For more than 165 years, Davis Polk has ranked among the premier law firms with practices that are world class across the board. Today, with 10 offices strategically located in key business centers and political capitals around the globe, Davis Polk remains one of the small handful of firms that leading companies and financial institutions around the world turn to for counsel on their most significant business and legal matters. Our professionals collaborate seamlessly across practice groups and geographies to provide our clients with exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative and practical solutions that reflect a deep understanding of the full legal landscape, market practice and our clients’ businesses and objectives. Our extensive cross-border experience coupled with the diversity of our professionals and our top-flight local law capabilities allow us to bridge business, cultural, language, legal and regulatory differences across jurisdictions. Learn more: www.davispolk.com
Westpac
Westpac is Australia's first bank with a range of innovative financial packages to support your personal, business or corporate banking needs. Learn more: www.westpac.com.au
Donors
Charles Grant
Charles Grant was named Senior Advisor to Lexington Partners in 2019. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Grant was a Partner of Lexington primarily engaged in the origination and evaluation of secondary purchases of private equity and alternative investments. Mr. Grant, a Chartered Accountant, graduated from the University of New South Wales and is a fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia. He is chairman of the Australian Independent Schools (USA) Foundation and the UNSW & Study Abroad - Friends and US Alumni Inc.