Dairy Australia Leadership Team
Our leadership team provides strategic direction and manages the investments, priorities and goals in our strategic and operational plans. It also manages our day-to-day operations.
David has over 25 years’ experience in the dairy industry and has led large scale innovation projects, brought new technology to the dairy industry, and forged significant international partnerships in research projects. He has a background in agricultural science and broad experience in senior management, including further studies in New Zealand and the United States. David has extensive national and global networks in commercial, research and sustainability sectors. David has also had technical and commercial roles in the animal breeding and herd fertility service industries.
Appointed 2018
BSciAg (Hons) PhD, Grad. Cert Bus Mgmt, GAICD
Charlie McElhone
General Manager Sustainable Dairy
Charlie leads the Dairy Australia Sustainable Dairy team, which is responsible for guiding, connecting and uniting the dairy industry to shape and deliver its sustainability, policy and trade objectives. A core element of this program includes facilitating the profitable international trade for Australian dairy products. Charlie has extensive experience in the agriculture and food sectors in policy, advocacy and analysis of market dynamics. Before joining Dairy Australia, Charlie was the General Manager of Policy with the National Farmers Federation.
Appointed 2012
BAgrEc, GDip (International Business), MBA, GAICD
Greg Jarman
General Manager Research & Innovation
Greg leads the team that invests in research, development, extension activities and education to support the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of Australian dairy farmers. He has over 20 years’ experience in agriculture, covering operations, innovation, growth, finance, people and capability development. Greg has held management roles with Costa Group, Nutrano Produce Group and Hancock Natural Resource Group. As a past chair of Raspberries and Blackberries Australia, he oversaw the creation of a combined berry peak industry body.
Appointed 2021
BAppSci (Hort) MBA, GAICD
Verity Ingham
General Manager Regional Services
Verity leads our regional teams across eight dairying regions. She has worked in government, industry and the corporate sector with experience in leadership, consultancy, extension, project management, boards and rural business management. Verity has served on private company and industry boards as a director and executive, and combines strategy and action to deliver results. With a farming background, Verity understands farm businesses and rural communities.
Appointed 2019
BAppSci (Ag) GradDip (Ed), GAICD
Kendra Campbell
General Manager Marketing & Communications
Kendra is responsible for industry marketing, corporate and farmer communications, digital experience and design. She has over 20 years’ experience in marketing, corporate communications and public relations. Her previous roles include Marketing Manager of Coles Express, and General Manager Marketing and Group Corporate Communications Manager with Bakers Delight Holdings. Kendra’s extensive experience covers marketing, brand management, digital communication, public relations, media relations, stakeholder engagement and issues management.
Appointed 2017
BBus (Marketing)
Helen Dornom
Strategic Advisor Sustainability
Helen is responsible for sustainability, food safety and integrity. She has worked with the CSIRO, the Australian Dairy Industry Council and the Australian Dairy Products Federation. Helen is experienced in research, development and extension strategies, issues management, supply chains, regulatory standards and policy frameworks. She has worked on the International Dairy Federation/Food and Agriculture Organisation guides, the Global Dairy Sustainability Framework and the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative.
Appointed 2002
BAgrSc (Hons), GAICD
Imogen McBain
General Manager People & Culture
Imogen is a human resources professional with over 12 years’ experience. She has worked in diverse industries including engineering, consulting, media/technology and property development. Imogen brings specialist experience in employee relations, human resources technology and analytics and has a keen interest in talent management. Her previous roles include managing the human resources function at Caydon Property Group.
Appointed 2018
MCom (HR) BAppSc (Psychology), GAICD
Firoz Divecha
Chief Financial Officer
Firoz leads the Corporate Services team with overall responsibility for finance, strategy, project management office, risk and compliance, information technology and legal. He has over 25 years of local and international (India and United Arab Emirates) experience as a senior executive across multiple industries including not-for-profit, food manufacturing, printing and coding, automotive and auditing.
Appointed 2023
Qualified CPA (Australia) and Qualified Chartered Accountant (India)