Catalyzing Conversation and Action for Investment in Regenerative Agriculture and Food in Australia and the Oceania Region.
Thank you for a successful inaugural RFSI Australia event!
May 26-27 9:00 am-1:00 pm AEST
Regenerative Food Systems Investment (RFSI) was created to connect investors to strategies and opportunities to diversify risk, improve returns and increase impact through the deployment of capital to regenerative agriculture and food systems.
The aim of RFSI Australia is to bring a diverse investor community together to catalyze a long-term conversation around investment in regenerative agriculture and food systems in Australia and beyond, as well as to dig into the how of creating and executing finance and investment solutions that help further expansion of these systems and their positive impacts.
Why investment in regenerative agriculture and food?
Investments in regenerative agriculture not only support carbon sequestration to combat climate change but also offer numerous other ecological, social, and financial benefits. To name a few:
Ecological: increased soil life, nutrient density, water retention, biodiversity, and whole-system resilience.
Economic: improved margins as operators can cut costly inputs while maintaining yields, improving land value, and potentially garnering premiums for their products.
Social: by eliminating addiction to costly chemical inputs, focusing on regional food supply chains and supporting healthy farms that can continue to thrive generation after generation – regenerative agriculture fosters community resilience.
The opportunity is strong but not widely understood and barriers to expansion and investment do exist. This two-day event will facilitate increased understanding of the opportunity in regenerative agriculture investment and how it can be successfully executed, as well as create a multi-directional conversation to better match capital with the desired outcomes of all involved.
The goals of RFSI Australia include to:
- Connect investors and funders from across the region (and the world) to the opportunities in regenerative agriculture
- Outline the opportunities for investment and capital needed to move these systems forward
- Address the barriers for further adoption of and investment in of this type of system
- Examine and learn from success stories and case studies
- Facilitate a dialogue between the many diverse actors in the regenerative agriculture, food, finance and investment ecosystem
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Agenda | Virtual Program
RFSI Australia was held May 26 & 27 (May 25 & 26 in the U.S.) and featured a 4-hour session of learning and engagement each day. Day 1 focused on foundational strategy and specifically the what is, the why, and the how for regenerative ag investing. Day 2 focused on the opportunities for investment and how to invest for maximum impact.
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Speakers
We’re gathering a diverse group of practitioners and thought-leaders for an informative and engaging agenda. Check out the line-up we have for you, plus more added each day!
Lee Brennan
Lee Brennan | Executive Chairperson of Investment Committee | Future Super
Lee Brennan has been the Executive Chairperson of the Investment Committee at Future Super since mid 2020. Before that he ran the unlisted investment program at Future Super since its inception in 2015. This program was primarily focused on making investments that contributed to climate solutions. Prior to Future Super, Lee has held roles with Bendigo Bank and Ethical Investment Services.
Lee Brennan has been the Executive Chairperson of the Investment Committee at Future Super since mid 2020. Before that he ran the unlisted investment program at Future Super since its inception in 2015. This program was primarily focused on making investments that contributed to climate solutions. Prior to Future Super, Lee has held roles with Bendigo Bank and Ethical Investment Services.
Serhat Cicekoglu
Serhat Cicekoglu | Founder | Sente Foundry
In 2008, Mr. Cicekoglu has founded Sente Foundry located in Chicago, IL USA. Sente Foundry is a CVC as a Service investment program funded by corporations, financial investors like family offices and VCs as well as municipalities. Mr. Cicekoglu and his colleagues have worked with over 450 start-ups and growth companies in 20 countries in varying roles to provide mentorship and guidance regarding business modeling, incubation, and fund raising. He has also supported local public and private institutions in various countries in establishing design and development of strong entrepreneurial infrastructures. He has been a frequent judge at programs like WorldBank, P18, Verizon Innovation, AHA Heart Challenge, Start-up Chile, KAUST, Teknojumpp, ITU Gate and ITU Seed new venture programs. Through Sente Foundry, he has invested in 36 startups from 17 countries including U.S.A, Turkey, Israel, Taiwan, Germany, and U.K. to name a few.
He is a graduate of Istanbul Technical University, one of the oldest engineering schools (founded in 1773) where he studied Industrial Engineering and the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago where he focused his studies at Entrepreneurship and Finance.
In 2008, Mr. Cicekoglu has founded Sente Foundry located in Chicago, IL USA. Sente Foundry is a CVC as a Service investment program funded by corporations, financial investors like family offices and VCs as well as municipalities. Mr. Cicekoglu and his colleagues have worked with over 450 start-ups and growth companies in 20 countries in varying roles to provide mentorship and guidance regarding business modeling, incubation, and fund raising. He has also supported local public and private institutions in various countries in establishing design and development of strong entrepreneurial infrastructures. He has been a frequent judge at programs like WorldBank, P18, Verizon Innovation, AHA Heart Challenge, Start-up Chile, KAUST, Teknojumpp, ITU Gate and ITU Seed new venture programs. Through Sente Foundry, he has invested in 36 startups from 17 countries including U.S.A, Turkey, Israel, Taiwan, Germany, and U.K. to name a few.
He is a graduate of Istanbul Technical University, one of the oldest engineering schools (founded in 1773) where he studied Industrial Engineering and the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago where he focused his studies at Entrepreneurship and Finance.
Ben Cole
Ben Cole | Wide Open Agriculture
With a PhD in environmental engineering, Ben has a passion for start-up and growth companies. He believes that for profit, for purpose enterprises play a vital role in building an equitable economy and healthy planet. Between 2008 and 2013 he founded, managed and sold a profitable, social enterprise – Karibon - in Vietnam. A genuine start-up from invention through to sales, Ben gained valuable experience in business development and management. Ben has been a leader in the design and implementation of market-based, water supply and sanitation projects in countries with developing economies, totalling up to A$45 million.
With a PhD in environmental engineering, Ben has a passion for start-up and growth companies. He believes that for profit, for purpose enterprises play a vital role in building an equitable economy and healthy planet. Between 2008 and 2013 he founded, managed and sold a profitable, social enterprise – Karibon - in Vietnam. A genuine start-up from invention through to sales, Ben gained valuable experience in business development and management. Ben has been a leader in the design and implementation of market-based, water supply and sanitation projects in countries with developing economies, totalling up to A$45 million.
Cassie Duncan
Cassie Duncan | Co-Founder & CEO | Sustainable Table Investment Collective
Since 2009, Cassie Duncan has been leveraging her background in marketing and communications to get the word out about ethical eating --in ways that are fun, frank and full of consumer appeal. As the co-founder andCEO of Sustainable Table, Cassie has built an organisation (and life) around individual action and community resilience, regenerative food systems and respect for the natural environment. In doing so, tens of thousands of people have followed suit. Career highlights include writing and producing The Sustainable Table educational cookbook (which won Best Sustainable Food Book at the 2012 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards), developing the successful Give a Fork! Campaign, and launching Mt Martha Farmers’ Market which embodies Sustainable Table’s zero-waste ethos.
Since 2009, Cassie Duncan has been leveraging her background in marketing and communications to get the word out about ethical eating --in ways that are fun, frank and full of consumer appeal. As the co-founder andCEO of Sustainable Table, Cassie has built an organisation (and life) around individual action and community resilience, regenerative food systems and respect for the natural environment. In doing so, tens of thousands of people have followed suit. Career highlights include writing and producing The Sustainable Table educational cookbook (which won Best Sustainable Food Book at the 2012 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards), developing the successful Give a Fork! Campaign, and launching Mt Martha Farmers’ Market which embodies Sustainable Table’s zero-waste ethos.
Graham Finlayson
Graham Finlayson | SLM Partners
Graham Finlayson has 19 years of experience in pastoral farming in Australia. Together with his wife Cathy, he purchased the 7,000 hectare farm Bokhara Plains in New South Wales in 1999 and began to introduce regenerative planned grazing in 2002. He achieved significant increases in carrying capacity, eventually running more than 1,200 cattle. The property also demonstrated measurable improvements in grass cover, soil quality, water management and biodiversity, and has been profiled by Australia’s Soils for Life programme.
Graham has received a number of awards in recognition of his achievements. He was awarded the New South Wales Young Farmers of the Year award in 2006, a Regional Primary Production award in 2007 and a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2008. This scholarship allowed him to study regenerative land management on rangelands across the world. Graham has also been employed as a ‘mentor’ to other farmers by the Western Catchment Authority of New South Wales.
Graham graduated with distinction from Longreach Pastoral College in Queensland.
Graham is General Manager of SLM Partners Australia. He is responsible for managing all operations of the SLM Australia Livestock Fund on its cattle properties in Queensland and New South Wales.
Graham Finlayson has 19 years of experience in pastoral farming in Australia. Together with his wife Cathy, he purchased the 7,000 hectare farm Bokhara Plains in New South Wales in 1999 and began to introduce regenerative planned grazing in 2002. He achieved significant increases in carrying capacity, eventually running more than 1,200 cattle. The property also demonstrated measurable improvements in grass cover, soil quality, water management and biodiversity, and has been profiled by Australia’s Soils for Life programme.
Graham has received a number of awards in recognition of his achievements. He was awarded the New South Wales Young Farmers of the Year award in 2006, a Regional Primary Production award in 2007 and a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2008. This scholarship allowed him to study regenerative land management on rangelands across the world. Graham has also been employed as a ‘mentor’ to other farmers by the Western Catchment Authority of New South Wales.
Graham graduated with distinction from Longreach Pastoral College in Queensland.
Graham is General Manager of SLM Partners Australia. He is responsible for managing all operations of the SLM Australia Livestock Fund on its cattle properties in Queensland and New South Wales.
Bert Glover
Bert Glover | Managing Director | Impact Ag Partners
Following on from large scale corporate managerial roles, Bert has turned his 25 years of agribusiness experience towards asset management to meet the growing demand from family offices, corporate and private clients.
Studying Ag Economics, Sustainable Agriculture and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Bert’s expertise has been instrumental in implementing practical and effective management strategies, delivering positive outcomes for clients through continuous improvement. Bert has been involved in multiple value chain initiatives and supply chain collaborations for beef and lamb producers to improve on-farm profitability through vertical integration.
Bert values performance data and business benchmarking and as a result, was co-founder of agricultural software company Maia Technology which develops decision support and data capture tools for the agricultural industry.
Following on from large scale corporate managerial roles, Bert has turned his 25 years of agribusiness experience towards asset management to meet the growing demand from family offices, corporate and private clients.
Studying Ag Economics, Sustainable Agriculture and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Bert’s expertise has been instrumental in implementing practical and effective management strategies, delivering positive outcomes for clients through continuous improvement. Bert has been involved in multiple value chain initiatives and supply chain collaborations for beef and lamb producers to improve on-farm profitability through vertical integration.
Bert values performance data and business benchmarking and as a result, was co-founder of agricultural software company Maia Technology which develops decision support and data capture tools for the agricultural industry.
Adam Gibson
Adam Gibson | Founder | Venture Organic
Adam is the founder of Venture Organic and a passionate advocate for the global regeneration of our food system. With over two decades of experience as a serial entrepreneur in the fitness and wellness industry, Adam is highly regarded in the natural health and integrative medicine industry as a business mentor and seminar facilitator. Adam has consulted to over 1,100 individual business owners over the last 12 years, and has won a Fundraising Institute of Australia award for best new initiative through his work with Diabetes Australia. Operating from a strong belief that fresh, nutrient dense, organic food should be “the new normal” for every consumer, Adam has now turned his attention to catalysing change in the food system through innovation and disruption. As a business mentor he offers a unique combination of skills in “contrarian marketing strategy”, startup strategy, business development, leadership training, personal growth and conscious development for business owners. Over the last three years, Venture Organic has facilitated the launch of over thirty independent startup businesses in the regenerative space, and created a professional network of investors, mentors, projects and capital focussed on innovation in regenerative food production. Adam is currently working with Cultivate Farms to facilitate investment and access to capital for next generation regenerative farmers all over Australia through their acclaimed “Cultivator” investment readiness mentoring program.
Adam is the founder of Venture Organic and a passionate advocate for the global regeneration of our food system. With over two decades of experience as a serial entrepreneur in the fitness and wellness industry, Adam is highly regarded in the natural health and integrative medicine industry as a business mentor and seminar facilitator. Adam has consulted to over 1,100 individual business owners over the last 12 years, and has won a Fundraising Institute of Australia award for best new initiative through his work with Diabetes Australia. Operating from a strong belief that fresh, nutrient dense, organic food should be “the new normal” for every consumer, Adam has now turned his attention to catalysing change in the food system through innovation and disruption. As a business mentor he offers a unique combination of skills in “contrarian marketing strategy”, startup strategy, business development, leadership training, personal growth and conscious development for business owners. Over the last three years, Venture Organic has facilitated the launch of over thirty independent startup businesses in the regenerative space, and created a professional network of investors, mentors, projects and capital focussed on innovation in regenerative food production. Adam is currently working with Cultivate Farms to facilitate investment and access to capital for next generation regenerative farmers all over Australia through their acclaimed “Cultivator” investment readiness mentoring program.
Toby Grogan
Toby Grogan | Natural Capital Manager | Impact Ag Partners
Toby began his career over 15 years ago in the agriculture sector, working on sheep and cattle operations in southern NSW. After gaining a Bachelor of Environmental Science, Toby’s career exposure grew to include resource, infrastructure and government sectors across NSW, Qld, WA and NZ. More recently, Toby has played key roles in large-scale environmental impact assessments, feasibility studies, remediation projects, due diligence and M&A across a variety of sectors and geographies. This broad range of experiences, along with a passion for sustainable production of food, fibre and raw materials, enables Toby to apply a broad and balanced skillset to Impact Ag Partner’s clients and projects. More recently, Toby's focus is on developing Nature-Based Solution investments and leading the measurement and monetisation of natural capital across Impact Ag Partner's managed assets as well as independently managed portfolios.
Nick Bonifant
Nick Bonifant
CEO Funds Management
Packhorse
Nick brings to Packhorse more than 25 years’ experience and success in business start-ups, funds management, executive governance, company ownership and operations, strategic planning, development management, health safety and environment compliance and real estate acquisition. Nick is recognised by his industry peers as an expert in executive leadership, a compassionate leader, a strong communicator with a collaborative style and a capable change advocate who ‘leads from the front’ to implement strategic initiatives, drive organisational change, and ultimately deliver key business outcomes.
Tanya Massy
Tanya Massy
Tanya Massy is a writer and lifelong apprentice of farming who has worked across urban, rural and remote communities to reconnect people, food and land. Her academic background spans Community Development and Indigenous Studies with a Masters in Agricultural Science. Tanya's heart is very much grounded in the soils of her family farm, Severn Park, near Cooma, NSW where she works alongside her family to regenerate the land. She is now threading this experience across the continent to the Great Southern region of Western Australia, where she, her fiance and family are embarking on a new farming journey at the edge of the Southern Ocean with Wildewood Farm. Her hands-on experience continues to inform ongoing writing, action research and collaborative initiatives to seed and support transformative shifts in our food and farming systems, including her work with Farmer Incubator and the Sustainable Table Investment Collaboration.
Tanya Massy is a writer and lifelong apprentice of farming who has worked across urban, rural and remote communities to reconnect people, food and land. Her academic background spans Community Development and Indigenous Studies with a Masters in Agricultural Science. Tanya's heart is very much grounded in the soils of her family farm, Severn Park, near Cooma, NSW where she works alongside her family to regenerate the land. She is now threading this experience across the continent to the Great Southern region of Western Australia, where she, her fiance and family are embarking on a new farming journey at the edge of the Southern Ocean with Wildewood Farm. Her hands-on experience continues to inform ongoing writing, action research and collaborative initiatives to seed and support transformative shifts in our food and farming systems, including her work with Farmer Incubator and the Sustainable Table Investment Collaboration.
Terry McCosker
Terry McCosker | RCS | Director
Terry is an internationally acclaimed teacher and has worked in research, extension and property management in both government and private sectors for 45 years.
In his research era, Terry published over 40 papers and made several world first discoveries in the 1980s in the fields of bull fertility, ruminant nutrition and pasture ecology. Terry co-founded RCS over 25 years ago which has set the benchmark for capacity building in rural and regional Australia. He is responsible for the introduction of the GrazingforProfit™ School into Australia which now has over 5,500 graduates and has changed grazing, livestock and business management nationally. Terry has chaired the Australian Beef Expo, has sat on numerous advisory committees and has been nominated for many awards.
Terry was described in the Australian Farm Journal editorial in July 2010 as follows: “It is hard to imagine the mental toughness and commitment McCosker and his early farmer adopters had to muster to withstand the flood of criticism from within conventional agricultural science circles. … McCosker’s ideas took farming out of a war with nature to an association with it. He introduced Australian farmers to the concept of ecosystem health and developed methods of measuring it alongside financial health. Critically he introduced the concept of farm family well-being and welcomed female partners, siblings and parents into courses about decision making.”
Terry is an internationally acclaimed teacher and has worked in research, extension and property management in both government and private sectors for 45 years.
In his research era, Terry published over 40 papers and made several world first discoveries in the 1980s in the fields of bull fertility, ruminant nutrition and pasture ecology. Terry co-founded RCS over 25 years ago which has set the benchmark for capacity building in rural and regional Australia. He is responsible for the introduction of the GrazingforProfit™ School into Australia which now has over 5,500 graduates and has changed grazing, livestock and business management nationally. Terry has chaired the Australian Beef Expo, has sat on numerous advisory committees and has been nominated for many awards.
Terry was described in the Australian Farm Journal editorial in July 2010 as follows: “It is hard to imagine the mental toughness and commitment McCosker and his early farmer adopters had to muster to withstand the flood of criticism from within conventional agricultural science circles. … McCosker’s ideas took farming out of a war with nature to an association with it. He introduced Australian farmers to the concept of ecosystem health and developed methods of measuring it alongside financial health. Critically he introduced the concept of farm family well-being and welcomed female partners, siblings and parents into courses about decision making.”
Paul McMahon
Paul McMahon | Managing Partner | SLM Partners
Paul McMahon is a co-founder and Managing Partner of SLM Partners, an asset management firm that uses investment capital to scale up regenerative farming and forestry systems. The firm has $210m in assets under management and manages >500,000 hectares of land worldwide. SLM Partners has three strategies: a pasture-based cattle fund in Australia; separate accounts in the USA that invest in organic grain farming; and a sustainable forestry fund in Ireland. SLM Partners is now developing a broader regenerative land fund that will invest in tree crops in multiple EU countries. All these strategies have the twin goals of generating market rate financial returns for investors while delivering measurable impacts on soil health, biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
Previously, Paul was Vice-President at Climate Change Capital Ltd, where he led a team developing a strategy for a global farmland fund. Before that, he was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company in New York. He also served as an advisor to HRH The Prince of Wales’s Rainforest Project and International Sustainability Unit between 2009 and 2012. He has published a book on the global food system (Feeding Frenzy: The New Politics of Food), as well as white papers on investing in ecological farming and sustainable forestry. Originally from Ireland, Paul holds a PhD from Cambridge University and a BA from University College Dublin.
Paul McMahon is a co-founder and Managing Partner of SLM Partners, an asset management firm that uses investment capital to scale up regenerative farming and forestry systems. The firm has $210m in assets under management and manages >500,000 hectares of land worldwide. SLM Partners has three strategies: a pasture-based cattle fund in Australia; separate accounts in the USA that invest in organic grain farming; and a sustainable forestry fund in Ireland. SLM Partners is now developing a broader regenerative land fund that will invest in tree crops in multiple EU countries. All these strategies have the twin goals of generating market rate financial returns for investors while delivering measurable impacts on soil health, biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
Previously, Paul was Vice-President at Climate Change Capital Ltd, where he led a team developing a strategy for a global farmland fund. Before that, he was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company in New York. He also served as an advisor to HRH The Prince of Wales’s Rainforest Project and International Sustainability Unit between 2009 and 2012. He has published a book on the global food system (Feeding Frenzy: The New Politics of Food), as well as white papers on investing in ecological farming and sustainable forestry. Originally from Ireland, Paul holds a PhD from Cambridge University and a BA from University College Dublin.
Hayley Morris
Hayley Morris | Executive Director | The Morris Group
Hayley Morris studied International Business at university and entered the corporate world working under her father. In her mid-twenties she had a life-changing holiday to South Africa that shifted her perspective on life and the environmental impact associated with everyday living. This led her on a journey that ultimately ended up with Cassie Duncan and her starting Sustainable Table in 2009. Since 2012, Cassie has taken care of the day-to-day runnings of Sustainable Table, whilst Hayley has enjoyed remaining on the Board and helping the organisation to secure funding. Hayley is now Executive Director of our family office, The Morris Group, with investments spaning hospitality, tourism, aviation, technology and agriculture. She also leads her family’s philanthropy, which supports organisations working in the areas of environment and sustainable food systems, international development, mental health and social welfare.
Hayley Morris studied International Business at university and entered the corporate world working under her father. In her mid-twenties she had a life-changing holiday to South Africa that shifted her perspective on life and the environmental impact associated with everyday living. This led her on a journey that ultimately ended up with Cassie Duncan and her starting Sustainable Table in 2009. Since 2012, Cassie has taken care of the day-to-day runnings of Sustainable Table, whilst Hayley has enjoyed remaining on the Board and helping the organisation to secure funding. Hayley is now Executive Director of our family office, The Morris Group, with investments spaning hospitality, tourism, aviation, technology and agriculture. She also leads her family’s philanthropy, which supports organisations working in the areas of environment and sustainable food systems, international development, mental health and social welfare.
Sarah Nolet
Sarah Nolet | CEO and Founder of AgThentic | Co-founder of Tenacious Ventures
Sarah Nolet is an internationally recognized agriculture innovation expert, the CEO and Founder of AgThentic, a global food and agriculture strategy firm, and co-founder of Tenacious Ventures, Australia’s only specialist agrifood tech VC firm. Sarah has been instrumental in building the early stage agtech ecosystem in Australia - from advising dozens of startups, designing accelerator programs and consulting to established agribusinesses, to helping industry, universities and government develop and implement forward-looking initiatives in food system innovation.
Sarah is also the host of the AgTech...So What? podcast, featuring bi-weekly stories on nontraditional innovators in agriculture.
She has been ministerially appointed to the board of Industry, Innovation and Science Australia (IISA), and she holds a Masters in System Design and Management from MIT, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Human Factors Engineering from Tufts University.
Sarah Nolet is an internationally recognized agriculture innovation expert, the CEO and Founder of AgThentic, a global food and agriculture strategy firm, and co-founder of Tenacious Ventures, Australia’s only specialist agrifood tech VC firm. Sarah has been instrumental in building the early stage agtech ecosystem in Australia - from advising dozens of startups, designing accelerator programs and consulting to established agribusinesses, to helping industry, universities and government develop and implement forward-looking initiatives in food system innovation.
Sarah is also the host of the AgTech...So What? podcast, featuring bi-weekly stories on nontraditional innovators in agriculture.
She has been ministerially appointed to the board of Industry, Innovation and Science Australia (IISA), and she holds a Masters in System Design and Management from MIT, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Human Factors Engineering from Tufts University.
Robyn O'Brien
Robyn O'Brien | Vice President | rePlant Capital
Robyn O’Brien is the Vice President of rePlant Capital, an impact investment firm, deploying integrated capital from soil to shelf in order to reverse climate change. The rePlant team is investing in privately held, deep impact opportunities, while supporting American farmers. Robyn was a founding team member of of AIM/Invesco’s first hedge fund of $100+ million and a team member on their $20 billion Constellation Fund. She was an advisor to Paul Hawken’s “Drawdown”(published in April 2017) and has advised startups, banks and multinationals, while working with global CEOs and management teams in the food industry. Robyn is also the founder of Do Good, a strategic advisory firm, and AllergyKids Foundation, which serves the 1 in 3 children with allergies, asthma, ADHD and autism. Random House published Robyn's book, The Unhealthy Truth, in 2009, and her TEDx talk has been viewed by millions and translated into multiple languages. She received her BA from Washington and Lee University, her MBA from Rice University on a full scholarship and also received a Fulbright fellowship. She is named after a farmer in New Zealand.
Robyn O’Brien is the Vice President of rePlant Capital, an impact investment firm, deploying integrated capital from soil to shelf in order to reverse climate change. The rePlant team is investing in privately held, deep impact opportunities, while supporting American farmers. Robyn was a founding team member of of AIM/Invesco’s first hedge fund of $100+ million and a team member on their $20 billion Constellation Fund. She was an advisor to Paul Hawken’s “Drawdown”(published in April 2017) and has advised startups, banks and multinationals, while working with global CEOs and management teams in the food industry. Robyn is also the founder of Do Good, a strategic advisory firm, and AllergyKids Foundation, which serves the 1 in 3 children with allergies, asthma, ADHD and autism. Random House published Robyn's book, The Unhealthy Truth, in 2009, and her TEDx talk has been viewed by millions and translated into multiple languages. She received her BA from Washington and Lee University, her MBA from Rice University on a full scholarship and also received a Fulbright fellowship. She is named after a farmer in New Zealand.
Barry Palte
Barry Palte | Founder | EQ Capital Partners
Barry founded EQ Capital Partners in 1999 after a distinguished corporate and institutional career. His corporate/institutional roles included serving on the executive committee of MLC’s Wholesale Funds Management Business, Australia’s third largest fund manager. He also served as the head of Strategy and M&A for the funds management and insurance businesses of Commonwealth Bank (Australia’s largest bank) in both Australia and Asia Barry served as Global Chairman of the International Association of Investment Bankers – recently renamed Orion International Advisors (a global network of investment banks with member firms in USA, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Japan, India, Brazil, China and Australia).
He also previously served on the Chairman’s Council for the Australia China Research Institute which was founded by the ex-Foreign Minister of Australia.
Barry founded EQ Capital Partners in 1999 after a distinguished corporate and institutional career. His corporate/institutional roles included serving on the executive committee of MLC’s Wholesale Funds Management Business, Australia’s third largest fund manager. He also served as the head of Strategy and M&A for the funds management and insurance businesses of Commonwealth Bank (Australia’s largest bank) in both Australia and Asia Barry served as Global Chairman of the International Association of Investment Bankers – recently renamed Orion International Advisors (a global network of investment banks with member firms in USA, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Japan, India, Brazil, China and Australia).
He also previously served on the Chairman’s Council for the Australia China Research Institute which was founded by the ex-Foreign Minister of Australia.
Nancy Schellhorn
Nancy Schellhorn | Co-founder and CEO | RapidAIM Pty Ltd
Dr Schellhorn is co-founder and CEO of RapidAIM digital pest surveillance and management system for agriculture. RapidAIM takes the guesswork out of pest management. Prior to co-founding RapidAIM, Nancy was a Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO in Brisbane Australia where she developed and lead concepts to achieve pest-suppressive landscapes; a way of measuring, designing and managing agricultural landscape mosaics for productivity and biodiversity. Nancy has served on many national and international committees and advisory panels including the Federal Office of Gene Technology Regulator – Technical Advisory Committee, the GRDC National Grains Pest Advisory Committee, the Cotton Industry Technical Advisory Committee, and the OECD Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee. Dr Schellhorn received her BS in Agriculture from the University of Missouri–Columbia, a MS in Ecology from the University of Missouri-St Louis, and PhD in Entomology from University of Minnesota. In 1999, she joined CSIRO in Australia.
Dr Schellhorn is co-founder and CEO of RapidAIM digital pest surveillance and management system for agriculture. RapidAIM takes the guesswork out of pest management. Prior to co-founding RapidAIM, Nancy was a Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO in Brisbane Australia where she developed and lead concepts to achieve pest-suppressive landscapes; a way of measuring, designing and managing agricultural landscape mosaics for productivity and biodiversity. Nancy has served on many national and international committees and advisory panels including the Federal Office of Gene Technology Regulator – Technical Advisory Committee, the GRDC National Grains Pest Advisory Committee, the Cotton Industry Technical Advisory Committee, and the OECD Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee. Dr Schellhorn received her BS in Agriculture from the University of Missouri–Columbia, a MS in Ecology from the University of Missouri-St Louis, and PhD in Entomology from University of Minnesota. In 1999, she joined CSIRO in Australia.
Kerry Series
Kerry Series | Inspire Impact
Kerry has advised or invested in equities since 1992 and his experience includes a number of senior roles. In 1999, he co-founded Perennial Investment Partners, which achieved strong investment performance and reached $20bn in asset under management within 8 years. Kerry has managed a listed equities impact fund since 2017 and, in 2018, he completed the Impact Measurement Program at Oxford University.
Kerry has advised or invested in equities since 1992 and his experience includes a number of senior roles. In 1999, he co-founded Perennial Investment Partners, which achieved strong investment performance and reached $20bn in asset under management within 8 years. Kerry has managed a listed equities impact fund since 2017 and, in 2018, he completed the Impact Measurement Program at Oxford University.
Nigel Sharp
Nigel Sharp | Director and CEO
With a 30 year background as a qualified valuer, and experience running a listed company Trust, Nigel has worked in senior positions across the property funds management and property development industries, including both rural and urban property projects.
Originally from a farm outside of Geelong in Victoria, Nigel also has a long history in agriculture and biodiversity conservation, that has seen him become a leading figure in the Australian regenerative agriculture industry.
Nigel is the co-owner of Mt. Rothwell Interpretation and Biodiversity Centre and Founder and Chairman of Odonata Foundation.
With a 30 year background as a qualified valuer, and experience running a listed company Trust, Nigel has worked in senior positions across the property funds management and property development industries, including both rural and urban property projects.
Originally from a farm outside of Geelong in Victoria, Nigel also has a long history in agriculture and biodiversity conservation, that has seen him become a leading figure in the Australian regenerative agriculture industry.
Nigel is the co-owner of Mt. Rothwell Interpretation and Biodiversity Centre and Founder and Chairman of Odonata Foundation.
Carolyn Suggate
Carolyn Suggate | Founder & Director | ORICoop
Driven, passionate, multi-skilled, resourceful, organic farmer, strong advocate for equality & a team player. ORICoop is a reflection of her deep desire to see a more aligned connection between farmers, eaters, healthy farmland and our financial systems.
Driven, passionate, multi-skilled, resourceful, organic farmer, strong advocate for equality & a team player. ORICoop is a reflection of her deep desire to see a more aligned connection between farmers, eaters, healthy farmland and our financial systems.
Mike Taitoko
Mike Taitoko | Co-Founder | Toha / Calm the Farm
Mike is a leading specialist in Māori and indigenous economic development and is an active and passionate leader within the regenerative farming industry. He is a co-founder of Toha, an impact investment platform that funds projects solving climate and environmental challenges, as well as co-founder and CEO of Calm The Farm, a Toha impact venture providing transition finance and guiding farmers through making an affordable transition toward regenerative and biological practices.
Mike is a leading specialist in Māori and indigenous economic development and is an active and passionate leader within the regenerative farming industry. He is a co-founder of Toha, an impact investment platform that funds projects solving climate and environmental challenges, as well as co-founder and CEO of Calm The Farm, a Toha impact venture providing transition finance and guiding farmers through making an affordable transition toward regenerative and biological practices.
Simone Tully
Simone Tully | Australia Organic Meat
Simone and Shane Tully are well known Australian outback pioneers who settled sheep and cattle stations throughout Western Queensland from the 1840’s. In the early 1990’s Shane and Simone took on Bingara Station, a 240,000 acre sheep and cattle station in far Western Queensland. It was from there that Simone began developing her interest in organic production systems and marketing. She has been pioneering the growth in global exports and building supply chain relationships for the Australian organic industry ever since.
Simone and Shane now own and operate an 8,000 acre certified organic property on the Queensland and New South Wales border. Simone has continued her education and leadership roles in the organic industry. In recognition of her achievements in growing the organic export industry, Simone was awarded an industry scholarship by the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard in 2000. She participated in the Rabobank Executive Primary Producer Program after being sponsored by the University of Queensland. She has since completed a Graduate Certificate of Management from Deakin University under the MBA program.
Simone held a directorship with the Organic Federation of Australia, Australia’s peak organic industry council and in 2018 was recognised in the AFR Women of influence.
Simone and Shane Tully are well known Australian outback pioneers who settled sheep and cattle stations throughout Western Queensland from the 1840’s. In the early 1990’s Shane and Simone took on Bingara Station, a 240,000 acre sheep and cattle station in far Western Queensland. It was from there that Simone began developing her interest in organic production systems and marketing. She has been pioneering the growth in global exports and building supply chain relationships for the Australian organic industry ever since.
Simone and Shane now own and operate an 8,000 acre certified organic property on the Queensland and New South Wales border. Simone has continued her education and leadership roles in the organic industry. In recognition of her achievements in growing the organic export industry, Simone was awarded an industry scholarship by the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard in 2000. She participated in the Rabobank Executive Primary Producer Program after being sponsored by the University of Queensland. She has since completed a Graduate Certificate of Management from Deakin University under the MBA program.
Simone held a directorship with the Organic Federation of Australia, Australia’s peak organic industry council and in 2018 was recognised in the AFR Women of influence.
Dr. Adrian Ward
Dr. Adrian Ward | CEO | Accounting For Nature
DR ADRIAN WARD (CEO) has more than 15 years’ experience (private and public sectors) in managing businesses and providing advice and training centered on environmental markets and natural capital in Australia and internationally. He is a former Australian Government Greenhouse & Energy Auditor who holds a Bachelor of Business, Post Graduate Certificate in Energy Economics and a PhD in Environmental Finance. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
DR ADRIAN WARD (CEO) has more than 15 years’ experience (private and public sectors) in managing businesses and providing advice and training centered on environmental markets and natural capital in Australia and internationally. He is a former Australian Government Greenhouse & Energy Auditor who holds a Bachelor of Business, Post Graduate Certificate in Energy Economics and a PhD in Environmental Finance. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Nathalie Whitaker
Nathalie Whitaker | Co-Founder | Toha
Nathalie Whitaker has founded multiple digital crowdfunding ventures and impact organisations. She founded Givealittle.co.nz, New Zealand’s largest crowdfunding platform. Nathalie is CEO of Toha Foundry and director of Two Tales, an impact venture innovation lab. She is committed to simplifying the way we raise capital for impact, in order to achieve environmental outcomes at pace and scale.
Nathalie Whitaker has founded multiple digital crowdfunding ventures and impact organisations. She founded Givealittle.co.nz, New Zealand’s largest crowdfunding platform. Nathalie is CEO of Toha Foundry and director of Two Tales, an impact venture innovation lab. She is committed to simplifying the way we raise capital for impact, in order to achieve environmental outcomes at pace and scale.
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