Rikki Foss
Chief Executive Officer
Rikki Foss joined GGA in November 2021, bringing extensive commercial industry knowledge, strategic capability plus team leadership and governance experience to the organisation.
Before her leadership appointment with GGA, Rikki had nine years with WA-based grain accumulation and export business Plum Grove, serving for six years in the role of Senior Marketing Executive before transitioning into the role of General Manager for more than three years.
Rikki’s breadth of commercial acumen in agriculture is consolidated with three years in the agribusiness sector at ANZ as a Regional Coordinator and six years with CBH as a Regional Manager.
Rikki has a rural background, and for several years has provided a grain consultancy role for her family’s broadacre grain and livestock operation in WA’s central grainbelt.
Rikki’s career and professional networks in agriculture originate from her time completing a Bachelor in Agriculture Business and Marketing from the Muresk Institute of Agriculture.
Mark Holland
Hub Director & Program Broker
Mark joined GGA in January 2020 as a Program Broker being the first DPIRD staff assignee as part of the GGA-DPIRD collaboration agreement and in 2022 took on the role as Director of the Drought Hub.
With a Masters of Business Administration under his belt, Mark brings strong governance, program and project management skills, with a particular acumen around new program development and business administration.
Mark has worked with many grower groups through his various roles with DPIRD/DAFWA over a 35 year period including directing the Agribusiness Innovation Fund, which included the Grower Group Grants Program.
Mark founded DAFWA’s highly regarded AGWEST Plant Laboratories business unit, and managed it for over 14 years. In this role he guided the delivery of the State’s high risk plant import quarantine, plant disease diagnostics and seed testing services, seed certification and seed potato health services.
Mark was also the inaugural Registrar of the Industrial Hemp Act 2004 and the Officer in Charge of the Seeds Act 1981, until 2010.
Kallista Bolton
Stakeholder & Communications Manager
Joining GGA in March 2020, Kallista brings experience in stakeholder management, marketing, and commercial enterprise.
Kallista has a Bachelor of Business, marketing major from the University of Technology Sydney, a Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Agriculture from Southern Cross University (2022), and has completed studies with Cambridge University Institute for Sustainability Leadership in Communicating for Influence and Impact (2021), and High Impact Leadership (2020).
Kallista moved into agriculture in 2016 working with Elders Narrogin for three years alongside running her own artisan olive oil enterprise from her Crossman property for 11 years.
Kallista’s foundation was built over ten years in the tourism industry in domestic and international marketing roles as a former EO for Australia’s South West – Regional Tourism Organisation, and Business Development Manager for Australian Pinnacle Tours, WA’s largest international tourism player.
Outside of work, in December 2023, Kallista was appointed as a Director to the Board of the Australian Institute for Ecological Agriculture.
Julianne Hill
Hub Adoption Manager
Joining GGA in November 2022, Julianne Hill has a wealth of knowledge and experience as an agricultural facilitator and extension leader.
From 1993, Julianne spent 19 years with the Department of Agriculture (now DPIRD) as a biosecurity officer and then farming systems officer while managing her own farming enterprise with her husband.
She then worked for 11 years as a coordinator for the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s Regional Cropping Solutions Network, now known as the GRDC National Grower Network.
In recent years she took up a role in Bunbury with Western Dairy, while balancing the role of GRDC Grower Network coordinator.
Early in her career, Julianne also managed broadacre properties in the WA Wheatbelt; and worked on various properties throughout Australia. Julianne and her husband currently operate a small property in WA’s South West running beef cattle and prime lambs.
Dr Jo Wisdom
Innovation Manager
Dr Jo Wisdom joined the GGA in August 2022 bringing extensive experience in research, project management and stakeholder engagement.
Jo has a Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology), a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) and a PhD in Plant Physiology. She is currently undertaking a Diploma of Digital Technology at Flinders University.
Jo has a demonstrated history of working in the agricultural industry, research and teaching and learning.
Jo has worked across multiple agricultural sectors including horticulture and viticulture, and sustainable projects in pastoral and broadacre cropping. Recent work has included improving grafting success in woody perennials; more sustainable harvesting; novel techniques for food waste management; and using artificial intelligence to improve providence tracing in honey.
Recently, Jo also took the plunge into business, purchasing Plantagenet Wines with her husband.
M 0411 103 363 | E joanne.wisdom@gga.org.au
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Maddison McNeil
Project Manager & GGA Corporate Secretary
Maddison joined GGA in July 2022 and has experience in the grains industry and farm–based membership organisations.
Maddison has a Bachelor of Agribusiness from Curtin University and is from a mixed cropping and sheep property in Kellerberrin.
Prior to taking up her position at GGA, Maddison was the Executive Officer for advocacy group WAFarmers, managing the grains portfolio.
Maddison went on to work at a national grains policy level as an Executive Officer for Grain Producers Australia, based in Melbourne.
Maddison was involved with AgConnectWA from 2013-2018 as a committee member and coordinator.
Maddison has also worked with the Australian Hotels Association WA and, more recently, the Nationals WA.
M 0432 988 694| E maddison.mcneil@gga.org.au
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Tanya Kilminster
Drought Hub Knowledge Broker
Based in Merredin with DPIRD since early 2000, Tanya joined GGA in April 2020.
Tanya has a degree in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology and Honours in Microbiology and brings 20 years’ experience in systems R&D, focused on sheep production, management and the role of sheep in the farming system.
Tanya also farms with her husband Dean at Bruce Rock as a grain producer, with wool and meat being significant contributors on poorer performing soil types.
Tanya has worked closely with the Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group (MADFIG), serving as a Board member for three years and collaborating with the Far East Agriculture Research (FEAR) Group to developing new projects to improve long term profitability and sustainability of farming businesses in low rainfall areas.
Daniel Kidd
Project Manager
Daniel commenced at GGA in September 2022 whilst completing a PhD in agricultural science at the University of Western Australia.
Daniel has been involved in agricultural research in since 2003 and brings to his role extensive industry knowledge and networks.
Daniel has spent the last decade as a senior researcher at UWA with a focus on nationally collaborative research programs generating outcomes leading to more nutrient efficient farming systems.
During this UWA tenure, Daniel has also worked with industry on creation of a circular economy using black soldier fly frass as a novel soil improvement strategy to increase the productivity and resilience of WA cropping.
Daniel’s foundation in field based research comes from a term with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development from 2005-2012 running experimental field trials for the pastures and livestock division.
M 0428 925 663
E daniel.kidd@gga.org.au
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Kellie-Jane Pritchard
Hub Project Manager
Kellie-Jane Pritchard (KJ) started with GGA in late 2021 as one of the foundation staff of the Drought Hub project.
KJ been involved in agriculture all her life. Brought up on a sheep and wheat farm in Narrogin, she started with the WA Department of Agriculture in 1989 in innovative projects including holistic farm planning, bush foods, soil and water assessments for the viticulture industry and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for precision farming.
She was invited to join AGWEST International, a Departmental agency that took WA agriculture expertise to the world. This included projects in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, including a stint in Iraq.
She later went on the manage AGWEST between 2007 to 2011. KJ also served as WA’s Regional Director in Indonesia between 2012 and 2014, focussed on building sustainable trade relationships between the two countries.
Most recently, KJ has been working in New Zealand as project manager on a number of Foreign Aid and Development projects in the Pacific, funded by the NZ and Australian Governments.
M 0499 648 308 | E kjpritchard@gga.org.au
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Alison Lacey
Project Manager
DPIRD Assigned Staff
Alison Lacey joined GGA in early November 2021 and increases our regional presence being based in Narrogin.
Alison brings 23 years of experience in farming systems R, D and E with DPIRD, across the grains and livestock industries with recent work on drought management, digital technology, and legume pastures.
Alison has strong networks across WA and nationally and has worked with many grower groups over the years in various roles, including committee member and secretary for the Corrigin Farm Improvement Group.
Most recently in her capacity with DPIRD Alison had a key role supporting grower groups involved with the eConnected Grainbelt’s IoT grants program.
M 0429 084 421 | E alacey@gga.org.au
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Lucy Tomassini
Project Manager
Lucy Tomassini joined GGA in November 2023, bringing a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience in project management, communications, and business development.
Lucy holds a bachelor’s degree in Language and Culture from University College London and is fluent in four languages. With an international background, Lucy has lived and worked across various countries in Europe before settling in Australia in 2018.
Lucy’s diverse experience spans not-for-profits, healthcare, education, and fashion. Prior to joining GGA, Lucy played a pivotal role in an innovative WA startup dedicated to the circular economy, focusing on reducing textile waste and empowering vulnerable communities through employment.
Her dedication to fostering innovation and making a positive social and environmental impact has been a constant thread in her career, emphasising a particular focus on conservation and sustainability, further reinforced by her experience working as a wildlife rehabilitator in South Africa.
In her role as a Project Manager within the GGA innovation team, Lucy is excited to leverage her enthusiasm and skills to drive sustainable innovation in the agricultural industry in Australia.
M 0476 030 397 | E lucy.tomassini@gga.org.au
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Jessica Scholle
Hub Stakeholder & Communications Manager
Jessica joined GGA in November 2023, bringing with her an extensive background in communications and stakeholder management.
Equipped with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Science Communication, Jess combines her scientific knowledge with her expertise in facilitating community engagement to ignite interest and drive participation in science and technology.
Before joining GGA, Jess held the role of Communications Manager for WeedSmart and the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) at The University of Western Australia. She facilitated the transfer of knowledge between research and industry, disseminating practical messages to growers and their advisors on how to control crop weeds and avoid herbicide resistance whilst optimising yields.
Prior to this, Jess served as an outreach program coordinator at Scitech, Perth’s not-for-profit science centre. She spearheaded initiatives that brought STEM programs to schools and communities across Western Australia, and even to China, with the aim of enhancing public interest, capability, and active participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Theo Nabben
Hub Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager and Adoption Officer
Theo joined GGA in August 2022, bringing with him more than 25 years of experience in agricultural extension and monitoring, and evaluation.
Theo joined the former Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA) in the early 1990’s. Based in the South-West, he worked as a landcare facilitator and progressed to managing projects related to farm business planning, communications, natural resources management and supporting community-based approaches to weed management.
In 2010 Theo became an independent consultant specialising in monitoring and evaluation, capacity development for agricultural extension officers, community engagement and group facilitation.
His international experience includes work in Africa, Asia, Pacific and the Middle East. After returning to Australia in 2016 Theo had a small stint at DPIRD, including supporting the development of Gascoyne Food Bowl, before moving to the Department of Communities as a senior evaluation specialist.
M 0403 196 381 | E theo.nabben@gga.org.au
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Michelle Condy
Program Broker
DPIRD Assigned Staff
Joining GGA in February 2020, Michelle was previously a Community Education Officer with the Department of Fisheries.
Her science career has been founded working in marine sciences including aquaculture, biofouling, marine geophysics, molecular biology, and aquatic disease.
A career highlight was her honours research where she ran a participatory research project with Kenyan fishers.
Michelle is based out of Margaret River.
Philip Wang
Corporate Services Manager
Philp Wang joined the GGA in November 2023 bringing with him his expertise in forecasting, budgeting, and data analysis to support strategic decision-making.
Philip is a Certified Public Accountant with extensive experience. He also holds a Masters Degree in Professional Accounting from the University of Sydney and has completed his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1.
With years of cross-industry experience, Philip is well-versed in supporting businesses to achieve their financial goals and optimise their performance, making him a welcome addition to the GGA team.
M 0416 668 375 | E philip.wang@gga.org.au
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Sharon Keeler
Team Assistant
Sharon joined the GGA in November 2021 in a part-time capacity brings to the team executive assistance skills and detailing support services.
Sharon came to GGA from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) which provided her with a holistic view of the local industry and its farmers.
Sharon immigrated to Perth with her young family from the United Kingdom in 2003.
Sharons first impression of the local farming landscape was that it was ‘dry and brown’ and the distinct lack of green fields and really ‘white’ sheep.
Sharon balances her work life with many outside interests centred around family and the outdoors.
M 0430 131 035 | E skeeler@gga.org.au
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Adrianna Jakimowicz
Grains Communications Officer
Adrianna joined the GGA team in July 2023 to assist with communications activities that support the DPIRD grains portfolio.
Adrianna has a Bachelor of Arts and Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcasting, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary School Teaching (English and media)
Prior to GGA, Adrianna was one of the newsreaders at Southern Cross Austereo’s regional news stations throughout Triple M and HITWA.
She was responsible for delivering daily news updates on a wide range of issues, reporting for stations from the North West to the Great Southern.
M 0409 515 651 | E adrianna.jakimowicz@gga.org.au
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On leave
Amber Atkinson
Grains Research, Development & Extension Communications Manager
Amber Atkinson joined the GGA team in August 2021 providing communications services for an outsourced R,D & E Comms role to drive engagement with DPIRD research and extension.
Amber has a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Journalism, from Edith Cowan University and brings more than 10 years’ experience in agricultural communications.
She has held Senior Journalist and Editor roles with Farm Weekly newspaper, Farming Ahead magazine, WA Grower magazine and various other industry/trade publications.
Prior to GGA, Amber was the Communications and Policy Officer at vegetablesWA. In this role she was responsible for delivering communications across a wide range of issues, including water, labour, biosecurity, research and development.
Amber has a strong digital marketing background and has run her own digital marketing agency, specialising in tourism website development and regional event marketing, since 2016.
M 0405 448 582 | E aatkinson@gga.org.au
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