The Leadership Team

A diverse, experienced leadership team have been selected to represent the various food business stakeholders. They are tasked with creating a strong, sustainable model for the Food Hub, and developing a sustainable future business plan.

The Panel

​With an initial membership of around 12 people, the panel will be the first truly regional initiative of its kind to draw together the entire food supply/value chain. We will be formally announcing the key panelists shortly.
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Our intention is for the Panel to form an advisory role to help drive the profile of food with government and to create and implement a vision of what business and community needs.

​Using convincing and profound data we can prove the value of better food to our community in nutrition and liveability; emissions; cheaper grocery prices; regenerative practice; more diverse employment opportunities; tourism, exports and helping addressing social disadvantage. This is our agenda!  

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The Team
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Michael Claessens
CEO RDA ACT

With over 20 years’ experience in industry and investment, food/agribusiness, transport and advanced manufacturing, Michael has extensive involvement in rural and regional stakeholder engagement, the not for profit sector and government.

As CEO of RDA ACT, his focus is on optimising Regional Development Australia ACT’s connections with regional businesses, councils, government and industry to innovate, seize economic opportunities and attract investment.

Michael is passionate about the value of building collaborative networks as a vehicle for delivering profound, sustainable improvements in business competitiveness and believe that social responsibility and inclusion should go hand in hand with business success. 

Suzanne Gearing
CEO Mongarlowe Group

Suzanne Gearing is an accomplished business strategist, public speaker, and presenter with a passion for helping businesses turn opportunities into success stories. Her visionary perspectives, tactical skills, business acumen and ability to align and inspire stakeholders, have allowed her to travel extensively and contribute to the success of businesses both in Australia and the UK.

She is passionate about inspiring businesses to combine profitability with social responsibility, and is founder and CEO of social enterprise, Mongarlowe Gourmet, Chair of the Braidwood Business Chamber and Chair of fledgling rural mental health charity, Wagging Tails Community.

Suzanne is strongly committed to contributing to the sustainability and success of regional Australia with a focus on agribusiness opportunities. She splits her time between Canberra and Mongarlowe Valley, a bush based farm outside of Braidwood NSW.

picture to follow.

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Laura Brown
​​Marketing Officer RDA ACT

After a career in corporate marketing, Laura has combined her passion for agribusiness and her flair for marketing to join the team at RDA ACT.

As a mother of three young children, Laura became very aware of the importance of high quality, fresh food and became a fan of paddock to plate food processes.

Laura and her family live on a productive rural farm in the ACT. Laura is committed to spreading the word on the value of a circular economy and the importance of future food security.