AIFST Governance

MR DUNCAN McDONALD

President and Chair of the Board 

Duncan runs his own food ingredient and technology business which services the Australian food manufacturing and related industries and has business interests in Food and Agri Food Science Education. Duncan has enjoyed a longstanding and diverse career resulting in a multi-skilled background (Food Science / Nutrition, Manufacturing / Operations, Marketing / New Products, and Strategy), with a solid financial and cultural performance record stemming from past Senior Management responsibilities which have covered Australia and overseas markets and operations within blue-chip organizations such as Nestle, Symrise, Goodman Fielder and Burns Philp.

Duncan has been actively involved over the years with various food company Boards such as Symrise (Oceania) and Burns Philp (Asian JV’s) and his own companies. His food industry association involvements include: Chairing in 2011 the 44th Annual Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology (AIFST) Convention in Sydney. Between 2005 and 2007, he Chaired the Australian Flavour and Fragrance Association, and in the 1990’s, in addition to initiating the AIFST Membership Marketing Committee, he assisted in developing strategies for the AIFST and was a contributing author for the Secondary Schools textbook in Food Technology.

Duncan is a fellow of the AIFST.

MS FIONA FLEMING

Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary

Fiona is Managing Director 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.

Fiona has more than 30 years’ experience in the food industry in the areas of dairy, seafood, cereal based foods, smallgoods, tea, simmer sauces and pastes, ingredients and infant formula. Fiona has previously worked for a large FMCG company in the role of Group Quality and Corporate Affairs Manager.  In this role she was responsible for providing leadership across Australia and New Zealand in the areas of food policy and regulation; consumer affairs and communication; issues and crisis management and food quality and safety.

Fiona is a Professional member of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology. Fiona is currently serving as a Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair of Healthy Kids. Fiona is a member of Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia; an Associate Member of the Allergen Bureau and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

MR DEON MAHONEY

Non-Executive Director 

Deon Mahoney is a fellow of AIFST and possesses considerable experience across food science and technology. Over his career his roles have included the development of food safety policy, microbiological risk assessment, risk communication, development and enforcement of food legislation, quality assurance, and training and education.

As Head of Food Safety at PMA A-NZ, Deon provides high level technical support and guidance with the goal of ensuring the safety and suitability of fresh produce.

Deon completed post-graduate studies at a The University of Sydney, including a Master of Science in Agriculture degree. He retains a keen interest in evolving advances in food science and technology.

Deon has previously worked for the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, as well as with Food Standards Australia New Zealand, and Dairy Food Safety Victoria. In these roles he has developed and published a wide range of technical guidance material; provided forward-looking scientific advice addressing factors that impact the safety of food products; and been actively involved in Listeria incident monitoring and response.

MR JOHN KAVANAGH

Non-Executive Director

John has spent over 25 years in leadership roles across the Food and Healthcare industries.  Most recently, John was the CEO of Integria Healthcare, which is an Australian based, privately owned business that manufactures and sells natural healthcare products throughout ANZ, North America, Asia and Europe.  In his capacity as Integria’s CEO, John also sat on the Board of the industry association (Complementary Medicines Australia) for 3 years.

Prior to Integria, for nearly 8 years John was CFO of George Weston Foods and also served on the Boards of a number of domestic and international joint ventures, and before that John was the Director of Finance & IT at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (ANZ).

After completing his Economics Degree at Macquarie University, John started his career as a finance professional with Price Waterhouse, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and then becoming a Registered Auditor in a private practice.

During his career, John has served on numerous voluntary boards and committees, generally taking on the Treasurer’s responsibilities.

John has been a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors since 2011.

MS SUZ ALLEN

Non-Executive Director

A former CSIRO scientist and Research Supplier, Suz offers over 25 years’ experience in consumer and sensory product research. Throughout her career, Suz has consulted to a large number of FMCG companies as a sensory specialist, with her experience covering a wide range of products including fresh and processed foods, beverages, pet food and personal/home care.

Academically, Suz has completed a Science Degree in Physiology and Psychology, a Masters’ Degree in Cognitive Science, an MBA in Marketing, a Graduate Certificate in Gastronomy and more... and she continues to have an insatiable curiosity!

Suz is currently a Director of SenseCheck, which is a research co-operative of senior FMCG Innovation Market Researchers, specialising in Consumer Insights, Ideation and Sensory & R&D Innovation Process.

Key career achievements have included long-standing client partnerships at senior management level, peer-reviewed publications, successful food innovation launches, and tailor-making product and strategy to meet specific consumer segments.  

Suz previously held the position of Board Director/Vice President at the Australian Market & Social Research Society, and in conjunction, has been a representative on the Research Industry Council of Australia (RICA).  Suz is currently a Non Executive Director on the Board of the Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology (AIFST).

JULIE COX

Non-Executive Director

Julie is a commercial lawyer with nearly 20 years’ experience advising leading food, healthcare and technology businesses on intellectual property, consumer, product safety and regulatory compliance matters. Julie spent the majority of her legal career with global law firm Baker McKenzie across London and Australia before establishing her own specialist legal consultancy for the FMCG industry.

With a background in both science (biochemistry) and law, Julie is passionate about the food industry. Her longstanding work with food businesses, ranging from multinationals to start ups, has enabled her to develop close working relationships and a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the industry. Julie also has extensive experience advising media and technology businesses having previously worked as an in-house lawyer at British Sky Broadcasting.

In addition to her undergraduate degrees in science and law, Julie is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a current MBA candidate with the AGSM at the University of New South Wales. Julie is passionate about innovation, continuous learning and promoting the Australian food industry as sustainable, innovative, and safe.

BRONWYN POWELL

Non-Executive Director

Bronwyn is a senior marketer and specialist in digital transformation and food innovation specialist. She has more than 30 years’ experience transforming and positioning for growth, many well-known, iconic global food brands across Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) to Retail/Quick Service Restaurants (QSR).

She is a recognised leader for new, brave, disruptive campaigns. Such as the introduction of the McDonald’s digital menu and the transformation of the in-store experience, in which she played an instrumental role.

And strategically, her leadership to transform business can be seen in her close to 10 years’ experience as Global Marketing Director and Chief Marketing Officer for YUM Brands - KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut Canada – where she grew the brands globally from Canada to the Europe to Asia.

Her experience in strategy development and execution extends beyond transformation and growth to customer experience across all touchpoints including digital, especially within Retail/QSR.

Other notable food experience includes her integral part in the team which secured the Victorian Government’s support for SPC Food Manufacturing transformation for Coca-Cola Amatil.

Bronwyn is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and of University of NSW –Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing). And she is a Certified Practising Marketer (CPM) with Australian Marketing Institute (AMI).

She is currently Marketing Director for Mars Food Australia and is leading Australia’s favourite food brands including MasterFoods, Dolmio, and Uncle Ben’s across retail and food service channels.

Bronwyn’s is passionate about quality Australian sourced food and using these home-grown ingredients to inspire her own cooking journey. She loves to spend time teaching her twin girls the joy of great food and how home cooking and great food brings us together.