Meet our Speakers

Annabelle Homer

Professional Voice Coach, Podcaster, Storyteller 

Annabelle Homer is a voice coach, podcaster, storyteller, mother, and wife.  She is a former award-winning ABC broadcast journalist who has reported on rural affairs for 12 years across Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia. Annabelle grew up on a cattle station in Central Queensland, who now lives in South Australia’s Clare Valley with her young family. After a brief stint at Channel Seven, she cemented her journalism career at the ABC, firstly at ABC TV Landline then branching off to Rural Radio. She spent many years presenting the South Australian Country Hour as well as brief stints on ABC Landline, Behind the News and Local Radio.  In 2020, using her journalistic skills and 12 years’ experience of AMEB Speech and Drama, Annabelle launched Voice it, a communications business specialising in public speaking and media training, podcasting, and personal audio memoir production. Voice it is all about providing regional people the tools to be confident communicators by delivering localised, face-to-face fun and engaging training programs. Annabelle also assists rural businesses and organisations to promote their stories and research projects through podcasts. She was also was a finalist for the 2025 Rural Women’s Award.

Introducing our MC

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    Su McCluskey

    Su is Australia’s inaugural Special Representative for Australian Agriculture (former). With an increasing focus on more environmentally sustainable production, Su works to promote and demonstrate Australia’s commitment to climate-smart sustainable agriculture, and counter prescriptive policy that could negatively impact Australian agriculture and global food security. Su brings a depth of knowledge to this role, being a cattle producer herself, as well as a Director of LiveCorp, Crawford Fund and the Australasian Pork Research Institute, a member of the CSIRO Food and Agriculture Advisory Group and an ATSE Fellow. She was most recently a Director of Australian Unity, Commissioner for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and previously held positions as a Commissioner on the National COVID-19 Advisory Board, a member of the Charities Review, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute and the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations and the Executive Director of the Office of Best Practice Regulation. She has also held senior positions with the Business Council of Australia, the National Farmers’ Federation and the Australian Taxation Office.

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    Belinda Allitt

    Belinda is the Chief Operating Officer at AgriFutures Australia, with more than 20 years of leadership experience across the public, private, and research sectors. Throughout her career, she has consistently championed high-performing teams, delivered impactful strategic programs, and fostered innovation to create lasting value. Her professional journey includes senior roles at leading national organisations such as Australia Post and NAB, where she led major initiatives to strengthen stakeholder engagement and improve community perceptions. At AgriFutures, Belinda has played a pivotal role in shaping and delivering future-focused programs across communications, community engagement, workforce development, and innovation. Belinda has been a long-standing custodian of cornerstone initiatives such as the Rural Women’s Award and the Horizon Scholarship, and was the driving force behind the launch of evokeAG., the Asia Pacific’s leading agrifood tech event, and growAG., a globally recognised platform connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to Australia’s agrifood innovation ecosystem

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    Caroline Rhodes

    Chief Executive Officer, Primary Producers SA. Caroline has more than two decades of agribusiness experience, having held senior roles in both the public and private sector and with state and federal farmer representative bodies in Australia, including the former South Australian Farmers’ Federation and the Grains Council of Australia. She was the CEO of Grain Producers SA prior to joining PPSA, and brings skills in strategic communications, stakeholder management and regulatory affairs.
    Caroline brings extensive experience in corporate governance and has served on a wide range of industry and community sector boards. Her current external board appointments include the Australian Farm Institute, Foodbank SA/NT, the South Australian Cricket Association and the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority. She holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and a Master of Agribusiness and is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program. 

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    Georgie Somerset

    Georgie is based on her family’s cattle property in Queensland’s South Burnett and is actively involved in the operation of the multi-generational family business. For many years she has juggled the demands of beef production alongside her roles in many influential organisations.

    Georgie currently holds positions across the not-for-profit, government and industry sectors including the Chair of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland, Chair of the Red Earth Community Foundation and Deputy Chair of Australian Broadcasting Corporation.  She also holds director positions on the National Farmers Federation and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.   

    Her passion for advocating for rural Australia and her service to primary industries and the community saw her named as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2020.

     

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    Fiona Marshall

    Fiona farms with her family in the Rennie area north of Mulwala, she joined the family farm in 1996. They are broadacre, dryland grain growers also operating a prime lamb enterprise. Fiona is a life-long learner with a background in applied science and education. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the NFF Diversity in Ag Leadership Program, the Grains Social Leadership Program and most recently the Farmers for Climate Action Climate Smart Agriculture Scholarship. Fiona is the Chair of Riverine Plains Farming Systems Group, Deputy Chair of AgBiz Assist, is serving on the Grain Growers National Policy Group, has served on the GRDC Southern Panel and is very involved in her local community. She is passionate about the Agricultural industry and building skills and capacity within rural communities.  

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    Professor Wendy Umberger

    Professor Umberger has played influential roles in sustainable agriculture for over 20 years. She founded and led the Centre for Global Food and Resources at the University of Adelaide, which engaged with policymakers and industry to make positive changes in agriculture, food, and resource systems. Professor Umberger has also served as President of Australia's Policy Advisory Council (for International Agricultural Research and Development) and was on the Board of Trustees of the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Professor Umberger is an Honorary Professorial Fellow in the School of Agriculture and Food at the University of Melbourne and an expert in agricultural economics, development, and food policy. She has worked on food system issues across the Indo-Pacific region and led interdisciplinary value chain research projects in Asia, Australia, North America, the Pacific Islands and South Africa.

  • Kate Gunn

    Kate Gunn

    Associate Professor Kate Gunn leads a team of behavioural science-focused researchers at the University of South Australia who work with farmers and other rural people to understand their health and mental health-related strengths and challenges, and co-develop meaningful solutions to them. She is particularly passionate about finding creative and impactful ways to improve the wellbeing of farming families, prevent suicide and improve rural cancer outcomes. In 2018, Kate founded ifarmwell.com.au. She is also a Churchill Fellow, has published more than 90 academic papers in national and international journals, and brings to this role experience from working as a Clinical Psychologist, as well as from growing up on a farm near Streaky Bay.

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    Kelly Johnson

    Kelly is the founder of SPhiker, an award-winning South Australian agribusiness transforming surplus farm produce into shelf-stable, plant-based meals. Based in Murray Bridge, SPhiker’s eco-conscious meals serve hikers, solo diners, the elderly, students, and people in supported living. In 2025, Kelly was named South Australia’s AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner and received the Premier’s Sustainability Award. She now runs hands-on workshops teaching people how to preserve backyard produce and create their own hike meals, offering practical, empowering solutions to food waste. Kelly is proving that good food can do good, for people, producers, and the planet.

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    Katherine Corrie

    Katherine is the owner and operator of a certified organic hazelnut farm in north-west Tasmania, where she combines hands-on farming with a strong commitment to regenerative agriculture. Following a 25-year career in corporate leadership, including a senior role at Apple Inc., Katherine holds deep expertise in organisational development, leadership and culture, strategy, and governance. She is now focused on contributing to the future of Australian agriculture, with a particular interest in board and advisory roles that support regional and community resilience. Katherine previously served on the advisory board of Heartful, an accommodation start-up, and currently sits on the board of Harvest Launceston - Launceston’s multi-award-winning farmers’ market since 2012.

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    Dr Lilly Lim-Camacho

    Dr Lilly Lim-Camacho is a research scientist focused on supporting society transition to a more sustainable future, working with industry and government to use integrated systems approaches to address our grand challenges. Her expertise is in value chain management and analysis, which she applies in a range of challenges including food security, sustainability, climate adaptation and social inclusion. Lilly utilises strong science communication and engagement techniques in her research, working with a wide range of stakeholders both in the public and private sectors.

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    Nikki Atkinson

    Nikki is the founder and designer of Horrocks Vale Collections, a pioneering label creating sustainable Merino wool wedding dresses and occasion wear. Based on her family property in the Flinders Ranges, Nikki brings a fresh, ethical approach to bridal fashion, reimagining how Merino wool can be used in couture. Her mission is clear: to transform the wedding industry with a fiber that is natural, versatile, and environmentally responsible. By taking Merino wool from Australian farms to the runway, Nikki not only showcases its beauty and function but also redefines what sustainable luxury can look like. Nikki is a passionate advocate for slow fashion. Her legacy is to elevate Australian Merino wool on the global stage—championing it as the ultimate choice for conscious, high-end fashion.


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    Dr Angeline Achariya

    Angeline thrives in a portfolio of senior executive roles transforming global AgriFood growth through innovation from supply to consumer experience. She serves on the boards of Wine Australia, Australia’s Economic Accelerator and the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology. She chairs the G100 Mission Million Asia Pacific chapter for Food Systems Innovation & Resilience and Australia China Business Council - Victorian Agribusiness and Food forum. As a senior advisor at Beanstalk Agtech and its Drought Venture Studio, Angeline is at the forefront of scaling solutions for the Agrifood system. She co-hosts the “Women Transforming Food” podcast with Inside FMCG, sharing inspiring stories of leaders in the AgriFood sector. She holds fellow positions with Academy of Australian Technological Sciences and Engineering and Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology.  She was recognised as a superstar of STEM for 2025 by Science and Technology Australia and acknowledged by LinkedIn as a global top voice for her leadership and influence.

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    Alice Faeth

    Alice is an AgTech Specialist at Farmers2Founders, leading the TEKFARM program to connect farmers to digital agriculture solutions. With a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Business and a Certificate III in Horticulture, Alice brings a wealth of practical knowledge and experience to her role from roles with farm inputs, machinery, and irrigation companies.  Alice's expertise lies in working with agtech companies on value proposition development, marketing and sales operation improvements, customer segmentation, and lead generation. Her analytical skills and project management background empower her to evaluate and implement systems that enhance the adoption of agtech. Alice is a strong advocate for remote monitoring solutions that reduce operational costs and enhance peace of mind for farmers. She also emphasises the critical role of digital technologies in achieving sustainability and resilience goals within agriculture, aligning with consumer trends and meeting industry challenges. Alice works closely with trusted advisors across Australia to ensure farmers are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to select digital agriculture solutions that are the best fit for them.

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    Bronwen Clark

    Bronwen is a nationally respected policy strategist and advocate with a career dedicated to elevating the voices of communities often overlooked in national decision-making. As Chief Executive of the National Growth Areas Alliance, she leads advocacy for Australia’s fastest-growing outer suburban councils, driving national conversations on housing, infrastructure and economic equity. Previously, Bronwen was Managing Director of Thriving Regions, a consultancy delivering strategic planning and public affairs support across rural and regional Australia. Earlier in her career, she represented Australia at the United Nations and World Trade Organization in Geneva, working at the intersection of international trade and economic growth for developing countries. Bronwen brings a rare combination of grassroots insight and global perspective to policy debates, with a focus on inclusion, place-based development and practical solutions.

  • Pene Keynes

    Pene Keynes

    Pene grew up and currently resides on a sheep property in Keyneton, near South Australia’s Barossa Valley. Pene has always had a passion for the livestock industry and its people, and has built a career spanning more than 15 years working across sheep, cattle, and dairy enterprises. Pene has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, policy, and industry intelligence, with a background that includes roles in private consultancy, government research, project management and agribusiness sales. After five years as Project Manager at Livestock SA, she recently joined the Department of Primary Industries and Regions as a Senior Industry Advisor. In this role, she brings her grassroots knowledge and practical expertise to help shape policies and initiatives that address the ever evolving challenges and opportunities facing the livestock sector. In 2022, Pene participated in the Australian Women in Agriculture LeadHer program, where she developed her leadership skills and built lasting connections with other inspiring women from across the country.

  • A young woman standing in a wheat field, wearing a beige wide-brimmed hat, a navy blue long-sleeve shirt, and jeans, smiling at the camera.

    Charlotte Wundersitz

    Charlotte is the General Manager of Rural Affairs at the National Farmers’ Federation, Australia’s peak advocacy organisation representing farmers and the $86 billion agricultural sector. In this role, Charlotte leads national policy and advocacy across critical issues including biosecurity, animal welfare, agvet chemical regulation, live animal exports, and regional connectivity. She works at the intersection of government, industry, and community to deliver better outcomes for Australian farmers. Originally from a broadacre cropping farm in South Australia, Charlotte holds a law degree from the University of Adelaide. She began her career in agricultural policy in her home state before moving to Canberra to take on national leadership roles in rural advocacy. A strong voice for rural Australia, Charlotte is passionate about ensuring that policymakers understand the practical realities of producing food and fibre, and about promoting the diversity, complexity and importance of modern Australian agriculture.

  • A woman with glasses smiling outdoors in a green checkered shirt with a logo that reads 'Schulz Livestock', standing next to a wooden fence post in a rural setting.

    Penny Schulz

    Penny runs a family sheep and cattle operation at Field in South Australia’s Limestone Coast region, with her husband Jason and their young family. She works off-farm as a Livestock Technical Specialist with the SA Drought Hub at the University of Adelaide, with her role focused on farmer extension and adoption – an area of great passion for Penny. Through her university roles and in her own consultancy business, Penny has delivered projects and lecturered in the fields of farmer decision making, agtech adoption, sustainable farming systems, livestock genetics and farm business management. She also holds several board and advisory group roles including Chair of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, Chair of the Landscape Board Presiding Member Forum, director on the NRM Regions Australia Board and a member of the Premier’s Climate Change Council. Penny is passionate about having a positive influence on the next generation of agricultural professionals and industry leaders. This has included being actively engaged with PIRSA’s Stepping into Leadership Program for rural and regional women where she is a regular mentor, and also mentors students studying tertiary agricultural courses as they near graduation.

  • A woman wearing a black jacket with the words 'DINKO Tuna Farmer' on it, smiling and standing in front of a large pile of yellow buoys tied with ropes, on a boat or dock.

    Lukina Lukin

    Lukina is the owner and managing director of the Lukina group of companies. For 25 years Lukina has been involved in sustainable wild catch harvesting, and processing techniques. Combined with her commercial acumen, this experience has seen Lukina drive consistent profit growth for her companies and share the knowledge with industries. Lukina has demonstrated an ability to implement strategic change for business expansion. For example, her development of a ground-breaking SBT loin portioning and liquid nitrogen freezing process has allowed SBT to be presented for sale in smaller more manageable portions to export and domestic markets. This has reduced reliance on the Japanese market, supporting sustained business growth. Dinko Tuna was awarded for ‘Export’ and ‘Innovation’ at the 2020 SA Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards.

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    Sarah Curran

    Sarah is the General Manager Human Resources and member of the Executive Leadership Team at Thomas Foods International (TFI), Australia’s largest 100% family-owned red meat processor. With over 25 years’ experience in senior human resources (HR) roles across diverse industries, including energy, mining, investment services, and consulting, Sarah offers a wealth of strategic HR expertise. Before joining TFI in 2022, she held senior HR positions at leading organisations, including BHP Billiton and JP Morgan. Her extensive experience spans organisational development, business transformation and change management, with a focus on designing and implementing operating models to meet strategic objectives. Sarah aims to communicate TFI’s strategic vision on a global scale, ensuring HR serves as a strategic partner that helps elevate performance across the business. Sarah is passionate about making a positive impact in the organisation and the wider community. Known for her strong stakeholder management and consultative approach, she is committed to fostering inclusivity and authenticity in the workplace.

  • Woman smiling outdoors on a farm, standing in front of a red tractor and farm machinery, wearing a blue t-shirt.

    Lousie Flohr

    Lou is a grain and sheep farmer at Lameroo in the South Australian southern mallee. She farms with her partner Andy and parents, Gary and Janet. She is a mother of 3, and an active member within her community. Prior to joining the family farm in 2013, she worked as an agronomist both privately and commercially. She is currently a SAGIT trustee and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

  • Sarah Hope

    Manager, Capacity Building AgriFutures Australia Sarah brings extensive experience in strategic marketing, business development, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong track record of delivering impactful programs that support business growth and collaboration.  With a background in senior roles across government and regional sectors, Sarah takes a practical, hands-on approach to industry development. In her new role, she’s excited to apply this expertise to Australia’s agricultural sector—supporting capacity building and strengthening connections across our diverse communities and networks.

  • Stacey Davidson

    Stacey is the Media and Communications Manager at Australia’s peak farm advocacy organisation, the National Farmers’ Federation. Stacey leads a nimble team dedicated to positioning the NFF as the voice of Australian agriculture, using strategic communications to engage government, media, industry, and the public. Raised on a sheep and cattle property, Farina Station, in South Australia, Stacey now lives in Kapunda as one of the NFF’s remote team. A university-trained journalist, she built a career in regional media, later transitioning to working in an electorate office while running a freelance writing business focused on agriculture and regional Australia.

  • Andrew “Cosi” Costello

    Steering South Australia’s most popular travel & lifestyle TV Show, running two charities in Cambodia and Botswana and chatting to 630,000 social media followers is all in a day’s work for Andrew “Cosi” Costello! Cosi is a proud born and bred South Australian who grew up on the Yorke Peninsula and studied Agriculture at Roseworthy College. He’s a country lad, who, after winning a radio competition on a local radio station and winning the hearts of the SA people has become a household name. He is a dedicated family man whose positive enthusiasm is infectious. His passion for travel has taken South Aussie with Cosi as far and wide as China, Africa, Europe and Cambodia. Cosi is proud to dedicate his life to being South Australia’s most passionate ambassador. Cosi's main objective is not only to promote SA and everything it has to offer, but also to encourage others to get excited about living in one of the best places in the world.

  • Joanna Stanion

    Joanna is a public sector professional with over 30 years’ experience across government, in the areas of agriculture, employment, workplace relations, early childhood education and care, First Nations policy and service delivery. Joanna has been First Assistant Secretary of Agricultural Policy Division since 2020. In that role she is responsible for agricultural workforce issues, research and innovation, food security, First Nations agricultural policy, competition issues and policies that lift the productivity of Australian agriculture. Joanna has a passion for working with and developing talented women.

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    Cressida Cains

    Cressida is the Acting President of Australian Women in Agriculture. She lives and works in Robertson, NSW. She is the founder and director of the Pecora Group, a vertically integrated end to end dairy and hospitality enterprise. Cressida is a strong advocate for the dairy industry, particularly in the area of value adding. She believes in harnessing the power of rural and regional communities to drive change and in the vital role that women play.

  • Catherine Scotney

    Northern Territory grazier Catherine Scotney is an Indigenous business woman who runs a family farming operation in the Douglas Daly region along side her husband and their daughter. She shares her families histories and her cultural connections that has led her to be an Indigenous agricultural business owner. Catherine will speak about her journey in ag, what drives her, and her awareness to be prepared for challenges ahead. She feels advocacy is part of the role. You may have seen Catherine or ‘CJ’ on season 1 of Muster Dogs with her affectionally know kelpie Spice. Catherine was also a graduate of the AWiA strategic leadership LeadHer initiative.