Patron of Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation

Len Stephens joined the Gardiner Foundation Board in October 2019 as the Chairman Elect. Following retirement of the incumbent Chairman at the AGM in October 2020, Len was appointed as the Chairman.

Len is a veterinarian, with specialist expertise in research management. He also has extensive experience in governance and operations of industry owned rural R&D corporations.

In his early years Len worked with the Victorian Department of Agriculture, servicing the dairy industry in Gippsland, where he also has family connections to dairy farming. He moved from Gippsland to become the inaugural director of the Victorian Institute of Animal Science.

Len is currently Chairman of Australian Seafood Industries Pty Ltd, Chairman of Oysters Australia Ltd and a Director of Animal Health Australia Ltd. His previous positions include Managing Director of the Seafood CRC Company Ltd, Director Agrifutures Australia, Director Dairy Australia Ltd, Chief Executive Officer – Australian Wool Innovation Ltd, and General Manager – Meat & Livestock Australia. He also runs a small consultancy business.

Special Responsibility

Member: Finance, Audit, Investment and Risk Committee

Conny Lenneberg joined the Gardiner Foundation Board in October 2021.  She is a community development practitioner, currently working as a consultant.

Conny’s previous roles include Executive Director of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, Regional Leader for World Vision in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Deputy CEO for World Vision Australia and Rural Development Advisor for the Danish Committee for Afghanistan.

Conny has a Master of Arts (Research) and Honorary Doctorate (2017.  She is a member of the Advisory Committee for La Trobe University’s Institute for Human Security and previously on the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, the National Youth Employment Body and the Collaborative for Mature Age Employment.  She has held board positions with the Communities Council of Australia, the Australian Council for International Development, Oxfam Australia and World Vision International.

Michael joined the Gardiner Foundation board in 2022, having spent six years as an independent advisor to the Foundation’s Finance, Audit, Investment and Risk (FAIR) Committee.

He has extensive investment experience across all asset classes, including alternative investments. Michael’s previous roles include Chief Investment Officer of LUCRF Super, Equip Super and Rio Tinto Staff Super, Head of Multi Asset Class Funds at Invesco Australia and County NatWest Australia, and an Australian Financial Services Licence Responsible Officer.

He has been a Board Director of several unlisted property funds and direct infrastructure investments and has frequently been invited to be a speaker, panellist or moderator at many Australian and international investment conferences.

Michael’s business, Corinella Capital Partners, provides investment governance, investment management and risk management advisory services to superannuation funds, wealth managers, endowments and foundations, and family offices.

He holds a BSc(Hons), PhD and MBA from The University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Aubrey Pellett joined the Gardiner Foundation Board in October 2021. Aubrey is a Dairy farmer in Hill End West Gippsland. For the last 20 years Aubrey has grown his dairy business from new entrant to cow ownership to a 200 ha pasture based dairy farm.

Prior to dairy farming Aubrey had a short career in banking after university and before a stint travelling and living in the UK. Aubrey has previously served as a Director with Rural Financial Counselling Service Gippsland (being Chair for last four years), GippsDairy and Deputy Chair Bonlac Supply Company.

Aubrey was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 2014 where he travelled the world researching the future of pasture based dairy productivity.

Aubrey has a Company Directors Diploma (GAICD),Post Graduate Diploma in Information Systems from Victoria University in Wellington NZ, a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Farm Mgmt. Major) from Lincoln University NZ and a Diploma in Farm Management with Distinction from Lincoln University NZ.

Allan Cameron was appointed Chief Executive of the Gardiner Dairy Foundation in September 2021.

Allan has a deep understanding of Australian agriculture. His professional career has been spent in rural and regional communities developing a strong background in agriculture, agribusiness, financial services and rural extension. Allan is looking forward to utilising his extensive relationships across stakeholders of the Australian dairy industry to enable Gardiner Foundation to further expand our collaborations and partnerships to maximise benefits for the Victorian dairy industry and dairying communities.

Ashley brings her background in media, advertising, marketing and stakeholder management.

Ashley was appointed as People & Community Development (PCD) Projects Coordinator in August 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations) from RMIT and has a strong background in media, advertising, marketing and stakeholder management.

Her previous experience working in a creative advertising agency equipped Ashley with a proficient level of exposure to regional Australia and New Zealand working with Agricultural and Machinery clients. She has also worked in one of Australia’s leading media publications where she worked with motoring and machinery dealer associates.

Working with the PCD program, Ashley has been able to develop strong relationships across the dairy supply chain as well as successfully plan and implement our events since commencing her role with the Gardiner Dairy Foundation.

Jenny brings extensive administration and dairy industry experience to her role as the Office Manager and in team support function.

Having an extensive background in the dairy industry, Jenny joined the Gardiner Dairy Foundation in June 2007 and is responsible for the office management, administrative, financial and team support functions. She also provides administration support to the Chairman and Chief Executive.

Email: Jenny.walsh@gardinerfoundation.com.au

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