SPEAKERS

The 2024 National Food Waste Summit features a who’s who of national and international food waste experts,
speaking across all aspects of the food supply chain, from farm to fork.

Please keep visiting this page as more speakers are continually added.

MC: Costa Georgiadis

Renowned for his passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship, Costa Georgiadis, host of ABC's Gardening Australia, will guide us through the summit as our esteemed Master of Ceremonies. With his infectious enthusiasm and deep-rooted commitment to positive change, Costa will set the stage for a truly transformative event.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD WASTE EXPERTS

Kaitlin Dawson

Executive Director, NZ Champions 12.3

As the Executive Director of NZ Food Waste Champions 12.3, Kaitlin drives collaboration and action across the food system in Aotearoa New Zealand. Kaitlin has entrenched herself in the waste minimisation sector for the past decade, previously co-directing Reground, a Melbourne based waste behaviour change social enterprise. She is most motivated when business, community and government intercept to realise impactful, sustainable change.

Jolanda Dings
Director Sustainability External Relations, Lamb Weston EMEA

Jolanda Dings is based in Breda, the Netherlands and joined Lamb Weston EMEA in 2001. She initiated the Sustainability Strategy and program for Europe in 2011 and led the implementation and sustainability reporting. She chairs the Sustainability Committees of the Dutch Food & Drink Industry Federation (FNLI) and of the European Potato Processors’ Association (EUPPA) and is a member of the EU Platform on Food Loss and Waste on behalf of EUPPA. Jolanda has a MSc degree in Animal Science (1990) from Wageningen University and has spent her entire career in the food industry, 20 years in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs and the past 14 years in Sustainability with a passion for food, nutrition & health, reducing food waste and sustainability in general.

Dana Gunders

Executive Director, ReFED, US (Virtual)

Dana Gunders became Executive Director of ReFED in 2019 after serving as a founding Board member. Deemed "the woman who helped start the waste-free movement" by Consumer Reports, Dana is a national expert who has dedicated her career to helping industry, policymakers, and consumers activate solutions to reduce food waste. Her landmark 2012 report "Wasted: How America is Losing Up to 40% of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill" sparked a national dialogue about the consequences of food waste, and since then, she has continued to bring the issue to a wider audience.

Dr. Lisa Johnson

On-farm food loss expert & consultant, US

Lisa K. Johnson, Ph.D., is a leader in on-farm food loss research, serving as an independent consultant and National Program Manager for USDA-SARE. Her current projects focus on providing technical assistance and protocols for in-field measurement, and estimation and analysis of food loss, in fruit and vegetable crops.

Toine Timmermans
Program Manager, Sustainable Food Chains
Wageningen University & Research Netherlands

Toine Timmermans is a global leader in food waste management and is active globally in creating impact on food waste prevention via research, innovation and establishing partnerships. Toine is currently the Program Manager of Sustainable Food Chains at Wageningen University & Research in The Netherlands, Coordinator of the European Union food waste project REFRESH, and the Managing Director of the Foundation United Against Food Waste.

These international experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Summit, offering global perspectives and innovative solutions to address the challenges of food waste on a worldwide scale.

Prepare to learn more and engage in candid discussions inspired by their insights as we work together towards a more sustainable future.

SUMMIT SPEAKERS

Keynote: Craig Reucassel

Joining us as one of our keynote speakers is none other than Craig Reucassel, the dynamic host of ABC's War on Waste. Craig's groundbreaking work in raising awareness about the impacts of waste on our planet has sparked conversations and inspired action nationwide. Get ready to be captivated by Craig's insights to engage the hearts and minds of consumers for a waste-free future.

Dr Angela Baker
Associate Partner, Whereto Research

Katy Barfield
CEO Yume

Edwina Beveridge

Edwina and her husband run Blantyre Farms, a 2,200 sow pig farm and a mixed farm of sheep, cattle and crops, near Young.

In operation for twelve years, a methane digestion system captures methane gas from pig manure and converts it into electricity. Blantyre also utilises food waste products for pig feed and saves 13,500 of tonnes of landfill each year. The NSW EPA has awarded Blantyre with a Green Globe Award for Resource Efficiency.

Rebecca Bliss
Manager, Social Impact

Rebecca has delivered social change and not for profit programs and initiatives for over 15 years and is currently leading the circular economy behaviour change program for the Victorian Government at Sustainability Victoria. From delivering communications and social marketing for Greenpeace, Medecins Sans Frontieres and Oxfam Australia, to leading State Government waste minimisation, climate change and recycling campaigns, as well as the national behaviour change project for the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, Rebecca has driven social and environmental change through engaging the community with evidence-based campaigns and programs. Rebecca is passionate about using the power of data-driven marketing for good – to connect with audiences and help them make changes that improve their lives and the environment.

Hayley Borissow
Sustainability and Decarbonisation Manager, Sodexo Australia

Hayley Borissow is the Sustainability and Decarbonisation Manager for Sodexo Australia and a driving force behind the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Hayley brings nearly 20 years of experience in the Western Australian energy and resources sector, combined with a decade in global hospitality management. Her passion for climate science and environmental conservation drives her to guide businesses on their path to sustainability leadership.

Dr Mark Boulet
Senior Research Fellow, BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute.

Mark has been involved in behavioural-focused research of household food waste for nearly 10 years. He has worked with organisations such as Sustainability Victoria, OzHarvest and NSW EPA to provide research insights and support for the design, implementation and evaluation of their different food waste-related behaviour change campaigns. Mark is currently the Behavioural Advisor to the EFWA team developing the National Consumer Behaviour Change Campaign to reduce household food waste in Australia.

Tim Brown
CEO, Gander

As the CEO of Gander, Tim Brown leads a revolution in combating food waste with innovative technology. With over two decades of experience in the FMCG industry, Tim and the global Gander app team are on a pursuit of solutions to pressing global challenges.

Alison Buxton
Director, Freshcare

Alison Buxton is a Director of Freshcare with more than 30 years experience in senior executive roles across both marketing and supply chain, including leading food supply chain and food packaging businesses.  She is passionate about the sustainability of the Australian food manufacturing and agricultural industries, recognising the critical role the elimination of food waste, throughout the supply chain, has in the sustainability equation.

Brianna Casey
CEO, Foodbank Australia

Brianna is the CEO of Foodbank Australia, the country’s largest hunger relief organisation. Brianna joined Foodbank in July 2016, following her successful term as CEO of Australian Childcare Alliance NSW. Prior to that, she spent 14 years in agri-politics, both in NSW (as Policy Director) and Queensland (as CEO). Brianna currently serves on the Board of Volunteering Australia, is a proud member of Chief Executive Women and a past recipient of the Pro Bono Australia Impact 25 Award.

Emma Coath
Executive Chair, RocketSeeder

Michael Dossor
Group General Manager, Result Group

Michael Dossor is a well-known packaging industry personality and general manager of Result Group with over 35 years’ experience in the packaging industry in the areas of Print, Machinery and Materials. He is an active industry contributor, participating in education forums and on advisory groups helping to shape the packaging industry’s future.

Pavel Duzhnikov
Managing Principal, Argon & Co

Phoebe Dowling
Head of Global Food Sustainability, Simplot Australia

Phoebe Dowling looks after Sustainability for the global Simplot food business, overseeing the pillars of people, planet and prosperity. She has enjoyed a 20+ year career with Simplot, working across multiple functions and geographies. Phoebe has been a key driver of getting the business behind the Australian Food Pact, recognizing the role that food waste plays in multiple facets of business including process efficiency, business profitability, emissions reduction and addressing food insecurity.

Rose Gooding
Sustainability Lead, Goodman Fielder

Rose is the Sustainability Lead at Goodman Fielder, a leading regional food company known for brands like Helga’s, Wonder, Pampas and Praise, whose purpose is making everyday food better for everyone. Since joining the business in 2021, she has led programs focusing on governance & tracking of the sustainability strategy, food waste, social impact, reconciliation, responsible supply chains, & emissions reduction. Rose’s background is a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Commerce, and she has experience in community led social impact projects. This has influenced her dedication to making positive sustainability action scalable and accessible.

Rob Gregory
General Manager, East Waste

Mandy Hall
Campaign Director, End Food Waste Australia

Nerida Kelton
Executive Director , AIP Vice President. Sustainability & Save Food – WPO

Nerida has worked in the packaging industry for over 27 years and is the lead for the EFWCRC Save Food Packaging project. She is also the lead lecturer in the Save Food Packaging training course and presents on the important role that packaging plays in minimising food loss & waste all across the world

Dr Steven Lapidge
CEO, End Food Waste Australia

Dr Steven Lapidge is the creator and CEO of Fight Food Waste Ltd, which incorporates the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and Stop Food Waste Australia. His career has focussed on industry-based science and commercialisation across the wildlife management, agri-food production and sustainability fields. His qualifications include a PhD and an MBA. He is a Fulbright Professional Business/Industry Fellow, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and European Summer School for Advanced Management (Denmark), and a Professional Member and former Non-Executive Director of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology.

Associate Professor Simon Lockrey
REDUCE Program Leader, End Food Waste Australia

Sam Oakden
Acting Director of Industry Action

Carmel Onions
Executive Manager Agribusiness ESG, Strategy & Carbon, Commonwealth Bank

Carmel is the Executive Manager of Agribusiness Sustainability at the Commonwealth Bank and leads CBA’s work supporting farmers in sustainability. Carmel is an advocate for the profitability and resilience benefits for farmers from natural capital enhancements and low net emissions farming.

Dr Ian Oppermann
MBA (Lon), PhD (Syd). FIEEE, FIEAust, FTSE, FACS, FRSN, GAICD

Dr. Ian Oppermann is considered a thought leader in the area of the Data, AI and the Digital Economy and is a regular speaker on data and digital, broadband enabled services and the impact of technology on society. Ian is co-founder of ServiceGen, helping Governments accelerate digital service delivery. He is also an Industry Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). From 2015 to 2023, Ian was the NSW Government’s Chief Data Scientist working within the Department of Customer Service where he held numerous roles including chairing the NSW government’s AI Review Committee and Smart Places Advisory Council. With a solid track record of entrepreneurialism, business transformation and business growth through partnerships, coupled with a hands-on, “can do” attitude, Ian has almost 30 years’ experience in the ICT sector and has led organisations and delivered products and outcomes that have impacted hundreds of millions of people globally.

Sean O'Malley
Product Stewardship Manager - Sustainability, Coles Group

Dr Sean O’Malley is a behavioural ecologist by training but has spent most of his early working life as a research and development manager in a range of fast-moving consumer goods companies in local and international roles.  Following these roles Sean joined Planet Ark working across many areas of sustainability including waste, packaging, forestry, carbon and the Circular Economy.

After a short period of consulting and working in the plant-based protein industry Sean joined Coles in 2023 as the Product Stewardship Manager within the central sustainability team. The role encompasses a range of activities linked to the Circular Economy and Product Stewardship including working on Coles’ food waste activities.

Lukas Parker

Lukas Parker is an Associate Professor of Communication in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University. He specialises in social marketing and behaviour change for sustainability and health.

Professor David Pearson
ENGAGE Program Leader, End Food Waste Australia

Renee Prime
Behaviour Change Engagement Lead, Sustainability Victoria

Renee is the Behaviour Change Engagement Lead in Sustainability Victoria's Social Impact team, promoting circular behaviours with a focus on reducing food waste at home. With over ten years’ experience in marketing and behaviour change, she is dedicated to creating impactful campaigns that inspire positive environmental action.

Elisabeth Spits
Senior Research and Strategy Advisor - Waste and Resource Recovery Services branch, Brisbane City Council

Elisabeth is a behavioural economist and leads research, planning and strategy development work that helps to transition Brisbane towards a zero waste city. The challenges she works on a diverse, including circular economy solutions for individual resource streams such as food, solar panels, C&D, hard and soft plastics, tyres, Brisbane’s new Towards Zero Waste Strategy, shaping Council waste policies with behavioural insights and data analysis, and undertaking pilot projects that test new technologies and processes.

Melissa Smith
Horticulture Lead, End Food Waste Australia

Sophie Sumner
Marketing Communications Manager, SealedAir

Sophie Sumner is a dynamic Marketing Communications Manager at Sealed Air, passionate about how packaging innovation adds tangible value to our global food sector, and consumers around the world. With a knack for storytelling and securing 23 PIDA and WorldStar awards for Sealed Air (ANZ) since 2016, she's a creative force seamlessly blending technical expertise with compelling sustainability narratives.

Helen Szabo
Environment Manager ANZ, McCain Foods

Following an extensive 25 year career spanning consulting, industry and the public sector within all aspects of environmental management and sustainability, Helen Szabo is currently the Environment Manager ANZ at McCain Foods.  Helen's key focus is to improve resource efficiency across her region and minimise the environmental footprint of manufacturing processes, while ensuring the ongoing production of good locally produced food. She is passionate about sustainability and working with regional communities.

Frans Verheij
Partner, Argon & Co.

Frans has consulting and operational experience in the FMCG, pharmacy and retail industries in Europe, the United States, China, Australia and New Zealand. He  leads operational and project teams, with a focus on demand planning and S&OP, quality and safety management, warehousing and distribution, change management and transformation, program and project management and supply chain systems. Recent projects include supply chain transformation, S&OP design and implementation, network design and implementation, and APS system selection.

Further summit speakers will be announced in the lead up to the event.

To stay informed visit the summit event website or follow us via the End Food Waste Australia (EFWA) social media channels for further announcements and updates.

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