Raised on a mixed farming operation in the Riverina, New South Wales, he brings a practical, grassroots understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Australian agriculture, including the realities of mixed-enterprise farm businesses.

Before joining AIA, Sam spent six years with the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, gaining experience in legislative development and policy at both federal and state levels. He then joined the Australian Livestock Export Corporation (LiveCorp), where he served as CEO for nine years. During his time there, Sam strengthened the sector’s research, development and extension services, elevated Australia’s livestock export industry internationally, and led the creation of LIVEXCollect — a pioneering digital tool for regulatory and exporter data collection on live export vessels.

At AIA, Sam has led nationally significant initiatives that support more consistent, practical and scalable approaches to agricultural innovation. This includes the development and delivery of the Environmental Accounting Platform, a cross-sector carbon calculation engine that has achieved a benefit-to-cost ratio of 17:1. Under his leadership, AIA, with consortium partner ZNE-Ag CRC, was recently awarded a $6.4 million Australian Government grant to improve the consistency of on-farm emissions estimates across agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

Sam is focused on building tangible and scalable collaborations across Australia’s agricultural sectors to deliver shared solutions that create value for producers, industry and government.

She has worked across a broad range of industries and sectors including IT hardware, software, consulting, financial services, government, academia and most recently, agriculture.

Throughout her career, Sarah has developed product, marketing and communications strategies for unique and challenging scenarios that require creative and adaptive approaches.

She has significant experience in managing strategic partnerships, stakeholder relations, brand, communications and strategy development.

Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in media and communications and holds a Certificate in Governance for Not-for-Profits.

She has worked across a broad range of industries and sectors including not for profits and charity, IT services, recruitment and training, and most recently, agriculture.

Throughout her career, Annabelle has worked in small and large enterprises, has developed and integrated financial systems, provided cashflow and budget analysis, managed audits and participated in cross-functional projects.

She has significant experience in strategic business decision making, managing staff, payroll and HR processes, financial management of large events, audit and risk analysis and financial and statutory reporting.

Annabelle graduated with a Bachelor of Business majoring in accounting, with a marketing specialisation and is a CPA member.

She has experience managing and accelerating start-up businesses, building and advising new and evolving businesses, optimising resources and operations, and developing strategies.

Agi's area of specialty is in developing business and digital strategies and helping organisations effectively leverage technology to realise their strategic goals.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Laws degree.

Liesel’s international background and her recent role as Chief Commercial Officer & Company Secretary for LiveCorp, one of Australia’s 15 rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), bring together commercial, financial, and agricultural contexts to answer the unique challenges and opportunities across AIA and Australian agriculture.

She has significant experience in strategic business decision-making, governance, compliance, financial management, risk analysis and financial and statutory reporting.

Liesel graduated with a Bachelor of Accounting Science and then attained her membership to the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in the UK. She added the CPA qualification in Australia and went on to complete the Advanced Leadership Program before becoming a member and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He has four years’ experience working in sustainability across Australia, the United Kingdom and South East Asia, with expertise spanning carbon credit project management, on‑farm emissions accounting and boutique sustainability consulting for corporate clients.

Brady specialises in workshop facilitation and stakeholder engagement, and is particularly motivated by working directly with landholders and advisors to develop practical, on‑farm solutions.