Industry Content Advisors
thinkfood LIVE is pleased to be working with the following group of respected professionals in shaping the content at the centre of our brand and events. Thank you to our esteemed industry colleagues in providing their insight into the themes, trends and challenges driving food product development in Australia. Through the Content Advisory Group, we can ensure the NPD industry have access to the most relevant content to maintain our position, as a trusted platform, for buyers and suppliers in the food and drink space.
Fiona Fleming, CEO, AIFST
Fiona is a Director of FJ Fleming Food Consulting Pty Ltd and CEO of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST). She is an experienced Corporate and Regulatory Affairs professional who has been involved in leading and facilitating change and developing management strategies across a portfolio of food policy and regulation matters in global FMCG and NGO environments.
George Peppou, CEO, Vow
George is CEO and co-founder of Vow. Vow makes better meat for meat lovers, tastier, more nutritious, more functional or more convenient - all by growing the cells of animals. Vow is backed by top tier investors from all over the world, with a team of 65 is based in Sydney, Australia. George began his career as a chef whilst studying biochemistry at the University of Sydney. George is a serial entrepreneur and inventor, with over 30 patents granted.
Becky Mead, Managing Director, PLAY
Becky joined the world of research 15 years ago in the UK, before moving to Sydney in 2009. Her experience with local and global agencies crosses a wide range of brands and markets, from FMCG to services and media. Becky's a hands-on leader, managing projects end-to-end to ensure the client's needs are at the heart of the entire project. She's excited by segmentation, usage and attitude, brand positioning, concept and offer testing, and market opportunity studies.
Nerida Kelton, Executive Director, AIP
Nerida Kelton is the Vice President Sustainability & Save Food, World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and also the Executive Director for the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP). She has worked in the Packaging industry for over 25 years, with over two decades working for the AIP; the peak professional body for packaging training and education in Australasia.
Tawnya Bahr, Co-Founder, Straight to the Source
Tawnya’s innate passion for food and cooking extends beyond the kitchen, through to production and agriculture. As an advocate for Australian producers she has championed them through her food consultancy, seasonal farmers’ market tours and dedicated professional development food tours for many years.
Driven by her passion for the people behind the scenes in food and culinary innovation, and a constant desire to support a thriving food industry, Tawnya is a well-respected industry advisor with a vast network across multiple sectors.
Lucy Allon, Co-Founder, Straight to the Source
With over 20 years’ front-of-house and project management experience in the hospitality and food industry, Lucy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a partner in Straight To The Source.
Lucy is an advocate for hospitality as a sustainable career choice; for young industry professionals; and, for primary & artisan food & drink producers. She brings an industry insider’s knowledge and contacts to the projects she is involved with.