Dairy Australia Leadership Team
The Dairy Australia Leadership Team is responsible for the organisation's day-to-day activities and ensuring it delivers against the performance targets set out in the strategic and operational plans.
In a career in dairy spanning 20 years, David brings extensive experience across the sector, including leading roles in a number of key dairy innovation pipeline projects. He has a background in agricultural science and has fulfilled various commercial and technical roles in the animal breeding and herd fertility service industries.
Prior to joining Dairy Australia in 2018, David was Co-Director of DairyBio and DairyFeedbase, and Chief Executive Officer of the Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre.
Joined 2018
Charlie McElhone
Group Manager Trade and Industry Strategy
Charlie leads the Trade and Industry Strategy team at Dairy Australia, responsible for facilitating profitable international trade of Australian dairy products and providing information, analysis and data to inform industry and government on matters relating to dairy markets and industry policy. This includes ensuring the industry's interests are upheld in the vital area of international trade policy reform, as well as providing factual advice on potential impacts of domestic policies in areas such as water, human health and nutrition, animal welfare and labour. The team also works to address sustainability challenges in the dairy manufacturing sector.
Charlie has a long history of working within the agriculture and food sector in areas related to policy, advocacy and informing decisions related to the market dynamics. Charlie came to Dairy Australia from the National Farmers' Federation (NFF), where he was the General Manager of Policy. Apart from overseeing all policy activities of the NFF, he was also responsible for the organisation's advocacy in the economics and trade portfolios.
Joined 2012
Peter Johnson
Group Manager Farm Profit and Capability
Peter leads the Farm Profit and Capability Group, which invests in research, development, extension and education activities to support the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of Australian dairy farmers. He was previously the Program Leader of the Feedbase and Nutrition portfolio.
Peter has a broad range of experience in agribusiness, coming to Dairy Australia from the pasture seed industry where he was the national sales and marketing manager of a large seed company.
Peter has worked for Rabobank, was an agricultural advisor in the Falkland Islands and worked in extension for the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries delivering courses including TopFodder and ProGraze.
Joined 2018
Elizabeth Parkin
Group Manager Business and Organisational Performance
Elizabeth leads the Business and Organisational Performance Group. This group includes Strategy and Corporate Planning, Portfolio Management Office, Finance, Information Technology, Company Secretariat, Legal and Risk Management.
Elizabeth has over 25 years’ experience in senior management and corporate advisory roles in KPMG and Lander & Rogers. She has a strong record of achievement in roles including as a corporate finance director and chief operating officer. Elizabeth has broad board experience, having served as a director on multiple boards and as the chair of audit and risk committees.
Joined 2017
Kendra Campbell
Group Manager Marketing and Communications
Kendra leads the Marketing and Communications Group which includes consumer marketing, corporate and farmer communications, digital and design.
Kendra has over 15 years’ experience in marketing, corporate communications and public relations (PR), most recently as a Marketing Manager with Coles Express. Prior to that, she held senior management roles at Bakers Delight Holdings, including General Manager Marketing, Group Marketing Manager and Group Corporate Communications Manager.
Kendra has been responsible for entire portfolios spanning brand advertising, marketing, product development, PR, media relations, stakeholder communications and engagement, issues and crisis management, and internal/external communications.
Joined 2017
Helen Dornom
Manager Sustainability including Food Safety and Integrity
Helen leads the Sustainability team at Dairy Australia, including Food Safety and Integrity. She has a long history in the dairy industry, having worked previously for CSIRO, the Australian Dairy Industry Council and the Australian Dairy Products Federation. These roles saw her work in the areas of research, development and extension strategies, issues management, supply chain, regulatory standards, policy frameworks, export facilitation, sustainability and international work including the development of International Dairy Federation/Food and Agriculture Organisation guides.
As part of her role, Helen works with the Global Dairy Sustainability Framework and the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative.
Joined 2003
Imogen McBain
Manager Human Resources
Imogen leads the human resources (HR) team at Dairy Australia, bringing over 10 years’ experience to the role. She has previously worked in a variety of industries including engineering, consulting, media/technology and property development.
Imogen also brings specialist experience in HR analytics, HR technology and employment relations. Prior to joining Dairy Australia, Imogen led the HR function at Caydon Property Group.
Joined 2018
