Speakers
The Innovation Showcase will feature a standout line-up of speakers who will explore the trends, technologies and innovations shaping the future of red meat processing.
The Innovation Showcase will feature a standout line-up of speakers who will explore the trends, technologies and innovations shaping the future of red meat processing.
Niels Duedahl is the Group CEO of Danish Crown, one of the world’s largest pork exporters and a global frontrunner in sustainable meat production. He assumed the role in 2024, bringing with him over 30 years of executive leadership experience across the energy, technology, and food sectors.
Before joining Danish Crown, Niels spent 15 years leading what ultimately became Norlys – Denmark’s largest integrated energy and telecommunications group. He served as Group CEO of Norlys from its formation in 2019 until 2024, following a decade as CEO of SE (Syd Energi), where he spearheaded its transformation into a digital, customer-oriented utility and helped lay the foundations for the merger that created Norlys.
Earlier in his career, Niels held senior executive roles at LEGO System A/S, where he was Vice President for various strategic areas, and in the telecom and IT sectors, including leadership positions at TDC, Telebilling, SAS Institute, and Jyske Bank.
Beyond his corporate leadership, Niels has served on numerous boards with a strong focus on digitalisation, green transition, and innovation. He has chaired the boards of Boxer TV, Stofa, Mjølner Informatics, and Norlys Energy Trading, and served as a board member at Blue Equity, Clever, Waoo, and Project Zero. He has also played a key advisory role in national business policy as Vice Chairman of both the Danish Chamber of Commerce and the Danish Energy Association, and as a member of expert panels appointed by the Danish Minister for Business, focused on innovation, start-ups, and democratic company models.
Niels Duedahl holds a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Copenhagen.
Jamila Gordon is the Founder and CEO of Lumachain, a global SaaS platform using computer vision-based artificial intelligence to transform protein and food supply chains. Lumachain’s technology delivers end-to-end transparency, improves safety and efficiency, and supports ethical sourcing and animal welfare practices across the meat processing industry.
Prior to founding Lumachain, Jamila held senior executive roles at IBM and was Group Chief Information Officer at Qantas Airways and Leighton Holdings (now CIMIC). She has extensive experience leading large-scale technology transformations and supply chain optimisation initiatives across complex global organisations.
Jamila’s leadership and innovation have been recognised with numerous honours. She was named Australia and New Zealand Innovator of the Year in the 2021 Women in AI Awards, NSW Entrepreneur of the Year in the 2020 Pearcey Awards, and received Microsoft’s International Women’s Entrepreneurship Challenge Award in 2018—the first Australian to earn this global recognition.
In addition to her work in technology, Jamila is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the food and tech sectors. In 2025, she contributed to the launch of the Food Business Charter, a global initiative committed to achieving 40% female representation in leadership roles across the food value chain by 2035.
Jamila is committed to building a purpose-driven company that brings together exceptional talent to solve real-world challenges—creating meaningful impact for people, industry and the planet.
Adam Spencer is the iconic star of radio and television and now a leading conference MC and keynote speaker on artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, the future of work, and the Chat GPT revolution.
Adam has hosted award-winning breakfast radio shows in Australia’s toughest markets and live current affairs TV. He has won improvised theatre competitions and once interviewed John Travolta in front of 75,000 people. Whether it’s a technically demanding event with dozens of moving parts, or flying by the seat of your pants, Adam prides himself on the high level of energy, engagement and entertainment that he provides whenever on stage, set or screen.
With 25 years of experience in television, radio and events, Adam loves curating challenging and thought-provoking conversations and keynote presentations. As a leading conference speaker on artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, the future of work, and the Chat GPT revolution, he's informative, fun and guaranteed to impart takeaways you’ve never heard before.
Rob Redenbach is the author of Always a Little Further—a practical guide to becoming more adaptable, more resilient, and more open to change.
While managing a security company in Papua New Guinea, Rob developed a defensive tactics system that he later taught to special forces in the UK, the FBI in the United States, and Nelson Mandela’s bodyguard team in South Africa. That work led to roles providing close personal protection for aid agencies in Iraq and regular appearances as a commentator on Channel 7’s Sunrise.
Expanding beyond those domains, Rob developed a series of keynote presentations and interactive workshops—including Storytelling for Leaders—which he has since used to coach business leaders in 23 countries. His sold-out talk at the Sydney Opera House—and a Top 10 listing at the Edinburgh Fringe—highlights how his message connects across industries and cultures.
In addition to his lived experience, Rob holds a Master of Arts with Distinction from Charles Sturt University, has studied mediation at Bond University’s Centre for Dispute Resolution, and completed executive education at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Dr Stephen Wiedemann founder and Managing Director of Integrity Ag, a specialist agri-environmental consulting company.
Coming from a mixed farming background and with almost 20 years in agri-environmental research and consulting, Steve’s key areas of expertise include decarbonisation of agri-food and fibre supply chains, Carbon and Environmental Footprinting, carbon neutrality, carbon markets and environmental management.
His experience extends across the full suite of agricultural industries including wool and cotton, as well as beef, cropping and intensive livestock.
Steve has worked on projects covering a broad spectrum of target audiences, from the peer reviewed scientific literature to farm presentations and extension materials. For several years, Stephen has held technical advisory roles with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and regularly presents at scientific forums in Australia and overseas. Stephen’s work at Integrity Ag is at the cutting edge of defining and quantifying sustainability in Australian meat processing.
Sharon is a Neurodiversity Employment Specialist who partners with businesses to create more inclusive and supportive workplaces for all employees—while unlocking the unique strengths and perspectives of Autistic individuals.
With over fourteen years of experience as a neurodiversity consultant—including roles at Autism Queensland, the DXC Dandelion Program, and Untapped Talent—Sharon launched her own consultancy, Team Cohesion, in March 2024.
She specialises in delivering tailored training, coaching, and strategic advice to HR professionals, managers, and teams to build neurodiversity awareness and implement practical strategies that foster inclusion, growth, and team cohesion.
Sharon’s work spans the public sector, education, NGOs, disability employment services (DES), and private consultancy. She also works directly with Autistic jobseekers, supporting their transition into employment and advocating for long-term success in the workplace.
Rian Mc Donnell is the CEO of FloVision Solutions, which he founded in 2020 to optimize the global food supply chain, starting with protein. FloVision uses AI-enabled systems to help processors maximize yield, enhance quality control, and upskill frontline staff. Customers typically achieve an average 18x return on investment, recovering profits with flexible systems that integrate seamlessly into existing operations. Today, the platform measures over 1,000,000 poultry carcasses and 11,000 red meat primals and quarters every day. By closing the data gap on the production floor, FloVision empowers food processors to improve performance, reduce waste, and move toward a more sustainable future.
Dr Li Day is the International Business Manager – Australia & Asia at AgResearch, where she facilitates the development of innovative agri-technology and agrifood solutions through strategic partnerships with government agencies and global commercial partners. Drawing on her background in food science, processing, and human health, Li integrates research expertise with a practical, solutions-driven approach to help clients tackle challenges and unlock value across the agrifood sector.
Dr Kate Mirskaya is an industrial and environmental microbiologist with over fifteen years of progressive experience in bioenergy, environmental science, management, engineering, and consulting. She specialises in biomass and waste-to-energy projects with a strong focus on biogas and biomethane. Kate is also a lecturer and researcher at Griffith University.
Jonathan Cook, General Manager of Intelligent Robotics, is passionate about delivering transformative automation solutions to the meat industry. His 13 years of experience in red meat projects have equipped him with extensive expertise in automation, especially in using advanced sensing technologies to manage the complexities of biological products.
Intelligent Robotics, with R&D support from AMPC and collaboration with Kilcoy Global Foods, has developed the world-first vision-based, AI-driven automated beef scribing system. He looks forward to demonstrating how this AMPC-funded innovation delivers tangible value and efficiency to the beef processing sector.
Dr Ian Jenson is a food microbiologist and food safety expert who has extensive experience in meat safety and technical market access, having worked for 20 years with Meat & Livestock Australia running a research program and promoting Australia’s trade and market access conditions around the world. He is now the Principal of FIRST Management Pty Ltd, a consulting company dedicated to Food Innovation Research Science and Technology Management. In the past three years Ian has helped companies with laboratory testing, HACCP, safety, shelf life and regulatory issues. He has also worked on broad industry projects relating to technical market access for meat and safe production of smallgoods.
Professor Graham Gardner is a leading researcher in livestock measurement technologies and the Chief Investigator of the Advanced Livestock Measurement Technologies Project (ALMTech). This national initiative pioneered the development and implementation of technologies that measure lean meat yield and eating quality in the sheep, pork, and cattle industries across Australia. With a background in biochemistry, nutrition, and toxicology, Professor Gardner’s work at Murdoch University focuses on understanding the physiological responses in livestock selected for traits such as growth, leanness, and eating quality. His expertise supports industry advancements in the precision measurement of meat quantity and quality, contributing to better health and production outcomes in the livestock sector.
Emily is a Manager in CT Group’s Campaigns practice, based in Sydney.
With over 10 years’ experience in complex political and corporate environments, Emily has demonstrated expertise in strategic communications, government relations and public policy.
Prior to joining CT Group, Emily served as a senior speechwriter and trusted policy adviser to senior NSW Government Ministers, dignitaries, and bureaucrats.
Emily is currently completing a Master of Strategic Communication at the University of Technology, Sydney, and will graduate in 2025.
Jack leads the CT Group’s Campaigns practice in Australia and has managed some of the CT’s largest and most complex multi-jurisdictional campaigns.
Recently returning after 5 years in CT’s head office in London, Jack has worked on every continent, and in some of the most challenging political environments globally.
Prior to joining CT Group, Jack served as Political Director for the National Party in New South Wales, Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Australia’s 2nd Largest local government, and in in various roles in election logistics, as a Policy Adviser and Speechwriter.
Carli is a wellbeing speaker and CEO of Corporate Wellbeing Hub. Carli was the Wellbeing Lead at Johnson & Johnson and winning recipient of the “Best Health & Wellbeing Program 2020.” With a degree in Health Science and a Masters in Business, Carli’s research uncovered key success criteria needed to build successful Wellbeing programs, which she now shares with corporate clients at Corporate Wellbeing Hub. Carli is a Nutritionist, Mental Health First Aider and Lead Researcher for multiple government wellbeing research projects across rural Australia.
Carli shares her lived experience of deliberately ditching her own selfcare, whilst caring for loved ones, working full time and studying. It did not end well.
Together, the science and the strategies will inspire you to enhance your wellbeing.
