James

We had the pleasure of sitting down with James Schlunke, our Australia and New Zealand Graduate Program Lead, to chat about his recent accomplishments, his work on the YumYum app, and some of his personal interests.

Recent Award

James recently won the Award for Outstanding Graduate Program Graduate Intake at the Annual Graduate Recruitment Industry Awards (AGRIAS).

“The AGRIAs are the premier awards program for the Australian recruitment and development industry,” James explained. “We were up against some stiff competition, so it was a real honour to win this award.”

James credits the success of the graduate program to the team’s focus on graduate satisfaction. “We’re constantly looking for ways to improve the experience of our graduates,” he said. “We know that happy graduates are more likely to stay with the company and become successful long-term employees.”

YumYum App Progress

James is also the project lead for the YumYum app, a mobile app that connects food providers with community centers and schools. The app was designed to help reduce food waste and provide nutritious meals to children in need and was the winner of Capgemini’s first Architects for Positive Futures Competition, winning $150,000 Euros to develop the app.

“We’re really proud of the progress we’ve made with the YumYum app,” James said. “We’ve connected food providers with community centres and schools, and we’ve helped to feed over 100 children who would otherwise go hungry.”

The app has been particularly successful in helping to feed children from recently arrived refugee families. “Many of these children have arrived in Australia malnourished and without access to regular meals,” James said. “The YumYum app has been a lifeline for these families.”

Quirks and Interests

When asked about his quirks, James admitted to taking cold showers daily and loving ice baths. “People call me crazy,” he laughed. “But I actually feel far more energised after a cold shower or ice bath.”

James is also a voracious reader and loves to cook. “I’m always trying out new recipes,” he said. “My family and I love to travel abroad just to eat. Our favourite cities to visit are Seoul, Tokyo, and Lisbon.”

James has a multicultural household. He grew up part of his life in Dubai and Malaysia, and his wife is a Kiwi of Korean heritage. “Our household is quite multicultural,” he said. “I’ve asked my 4-month-old son to promise he will play for the Socceroos one day, but so far, no commitments.”

We found James is a passionate and dedicated leader who makes a real difference in the lives of others. We are grateful for his contributions to Capgemini and the broader community.