Meet our team
We are a small team with diverse industry experience. Our collective skill-set covers all aspects of the food and agribusiness value chain; from research and product development to packaging and exporting. Our practical experience is coupled with a passion to see the Australian food and agribusiness sector grow.
Dr Mirjana Prica
Managing Director
Dr Mirjana Prica is an enthusiastic visionary who focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation to deliver commercial value. Mirjana sits on boards and advisory groups for cooperative research centres, universities, research and industry organisations and businesses, where she leverages her 20+ years of research and commercial experience in food and agribusiness, including advanced materials and minerals. Currently, Mirjana is leading FIAL, a national and industry-led organisation, established by the Department of Industry to drive innovation and business growth for the ~180,000 firms in the food and agribusiness sector.
Ashley Arnott
Finance Manager
Ashley has a strong background in business consulting and advisory services to a range of SMEs and startups. Previously, Ashley was Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of The Environmental Group Ltd and has also been employed as interim Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary at Cytopia Ltd.
Rod Arenas
General Manager Commercial
General Manager Commercial
With more than 10 years of buying and category management experience, Senior Executive, Rod Arenas has extensive industry knowledge of both the local and international food and agribusiness markets. He has worked with industry heavy-weights. He is an expert in emerging trends, brand and product management and product development. He brings a combination of commercial qualifications – postgraduate in International trade focusing on global trading. Rod has a wealth of experience in e-commerce and management in both imports and exports at large FMCG organisations within retail, shipping, international trade documentation and banking including ANL, MSC, JP Morgan and ANZ.
Tanya Wilkins
Marketing & Communication
Marketing & Communication
As a promoter of genuine communication and engagement, Tanya is an advocate for the experts in these new days of ‘google-fuelled online warriors’. She has worked with an adaptation and resilience knowledge exchange network based out of the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford and the Australian Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre. Recently, she worked directly with business leaders at the chamber of commerce to understand the motivations of the business community when it comes to net-zero and sustainability.
Sharing Knowledge
We provide valued insights stakeholders from across the agri-food value chain need to make informed decisions.
Building Capability
We design and deliver industry-led workshops to equip food and agribusinesses with the capabilities and skills to capitalise on growth opportunities.
Creating Connections
We connect food and agribusinesses with the research expertise, funding and export markets needed to harness opportunities.
