Speaker applications for Hort Connections 2024 are now closed!
Hort Connections always delivers a diverse and educational range of speakers who present on a wide range of industry topics. Browse the list of confirmed speakers below and stay tuned for upcoming speaker announcements.
GIAAN ROONEY
Master of Ceremonies,
Hort Connections
Giaan Rooney’s memorable smile, natural beauty and ability to engage are almost trumped by her enormous energy for work. An adept speaker and presenter, Giaan is a person of enormous talent and professionalism.
ANDREW INGLIS
Director,
Cellysis Pty Ltd
Andrew Inglis is an industrial R&D food scientist with mechanical engineering, process development and research experience, commissioning his first Food Safety process in 1991.
ANDREW MUIR
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director,
E.E. Muir & Sons
A proven performer with over 20 years in the family business, Andrew was appointed CEO and Managing Director of E.E. Muir & Sons and its associated entities in July 2019.
DR CATHY WILKINSON
Chief Executive Officer,
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
Dr Cathy Wilkinson is CEO of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and has over 20 years leadership experience in sustainable development in Australia and Europe.
GEORGIA STORMONT
Sales & High Performing Teams Coach,
Curious Georgia Coaching
With an impressive career spanning 20 years in sales and 15 years in Ag, Georgia has harnessed her extensive expertise to establish her own coaching business. She does so by seamlessly intertwines her 2 passions: horticulture and coaching.
JADE KING
Director & Owner,
Green Valley Fingerlimes
Jade King is a passionate fingerlime producer on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and Chair of the Australian Native Fingerlime Alliance (ANFA). Having travelled extensively, she has an extensive knowledge of fingerlime production worldwide.
JULIAN HORSLEY
Systems Division Manager,
A&D Australasia
Julian Horsley's expertise lies in weighing and measurement solutions, with over 30 years’ experience in delivering retail compliant product inspection and data capture systems.
LUCY BLOOM
Former Chief Executive Officer,
Sunrise Cambodia and Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Lucy is an award-winning leader and speaker. She is a change-maker, exceptional communicator, and business fixer with the best mohawk in the business. You will find her challenging and entertaining in equal measure.
DR NEIL WILSON
Director of Research,
Metagen Pty Ltd
Dr Neil Wilson is a microbial ecologist with more than 20 years research experience. After many years as a university-based researcher, he became Director of Research at Metagen 5 years ago.
PAUL OMODEI
Consultant,
Planfarm
Paul is a director of Planfarm and has been instrumental in developing the vegetable and onion industry business performance benchmarks both in Western Australia and the national program, Level Up Hort.
PIA PIGGOTT
RaboResearch Associate Analyst,
Rabobank
Pia Piggott is an associate analyst at RaboResearch focusing in horticulture, viticulture and sugar markets. Prior to working at Rabobank Pia worked as a research assistant at Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre and associate at Purposeful.
SU MCCLUSKEY
Special Representative for Australian Agriculture,
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
As the inaugural Special Representative for Australian Agriculture, Ms McCluskey is a prominent voice to promote Australia’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, to the multilateral system and to the principles that underpin global trade in agricultural goods and products.
GIAAN ROONEY
Master of Ceremonies,
Hort Connections
Giaan Rooney’s memorable smile, natural beauty and ability to engage are almost trumped by her enormous energy for work. An adept speaker and presenter, Giaan is a person of enormous talent and professionalism.
DR CATHY WILKINSON
Chief Executive Officer,
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
Dr Cathy Wilkinson is CEO of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and has over 20 years leadership experience in sustainable development in Australia and Europe.
GIAAN ROONEY
Master of Ceremonies,
Hort Connections
Giaan Rooney’s memorable smile, natural beauty and ability to engage are almost trumped by her enormous energy for work. An adept speaker and presenter, Giaan is a person of enormous talent and professionalism.
LUCY BLOOM
Former Chief Executive Officer,
Sunrise Cambodia and Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Lucy is an award-winning leader and speaker. She is a change-maker, exceptional communicator, and business fixer with the best mohawk in the business. You will find her challenging and entertaining in equal measure.
SU MCCLUSKEY
Special Representative for Australian Agriculture,
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
As the inaugural Special Representative for Australian Agriculture, Ms McCluskey is a prominent voice to promote Australia’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, to the multilateral system and to the principles that underpin global trade in agricultural goods and products.
ANDREW INGLIS
Director,
Cellysis Pty Ltd
Andrew Inglis is an industrial R&D food scientist with mechanical engineering, process development and research experience, commissioning his first Food Safety process in 1991.
ANDREW MUIR
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director,
E.E. Muir & Sons
A proven performer with over 20 years in the family business, Andrew was appointed CEO and Managing Director of E.E. Muir & Sons and its associated entities in July 2019.
GEORGIA STORMONT
Sales & High Performing Teams Coach,
Curious Georgia Coaching
With an impressive career spanning 20 years in sales and 15 years in Ag, Georgia has harnessed her extensive expertise to establish her own coaching business. She does so by seamlessly intertwines her 2 passions: horticulture and coaching.
JADE KING
Director & Owner,
Green Valley Fingerlimes
Jade King is a passionate fingerlime producer on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and Chair of the Australian Native Fingerlime Alliance (ANFA). Having travelled extensively, she has an extensive knowledge of fingerlime production worldwide.
DR NEIL WILSON
Director of Research,
Metagen Pty Ltd
Dr Neil Wilson is a microbial ecologist with more than 20 years research experience. After many years as a university-based researcher, he became Director of Research at Metagen 5 years ago.
PAUL OMODEI
Consultant,
Planfarm
Paul is a director of Planfarm and has been instrumental in developing the vegetable and onion industry business performance benchmarks both in Western Australia and the national program, Level Up Hort.
PIA PIGGOTT
RaboResearch Associate Analyst,
Rabobank
Pia Piggott is an associate analyst at RaboResearch focusing in horticulture, viticulture and sugar markets. Prior to working at Rabobank Pia worked as a research assistant at Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre and associate at Purposeful.