Mila is Hort Innovation’s General Manager, Trade and Biosecurity R&D, joining the organisation in February 2023. She leads the International Trade and Biosecurity R&D teams to ensure protection of Australia’s trade advantage and support of cross-sectoral plant biosecurity R&D through the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative. Mila has more than 25 years’ experience as a plant scientist and manager, with a passion for complex questions about how we can improve sustainable production and trade outcomes for Australia’s plant industries. Before joining Hort Innovation, Mila was the GM Partnerships and Innovation at Plant Health Australia. She has an applied science background with both a PhD and BSc (Hons), and business training as a graduate of the AICD course and an MBA. Mila is also a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s Agribusiness Leaders Program, and volunteers as a mentor in their National Mentoring Program.