Our People

Patron of Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation

Len Stephens joined the Gardiner Foundation Board in October 2019 as the Chairman Elect and was appointed Chair October 2020.

Len is a veterinarian, with specialist expertise in research management. He also has extensive experience in governance and operations of industry owned rural R&D corporations.

In his early years Len worked with the Victorian Department of Agriculture, servicing the dairy industry in Gippsland, where he also has family connections to dairy farming. He moved from Gippsland to become the inaugural director of the Victorian Institute of Animal Science.

Len is currently Chairman of Australian Seafood Industries Pty Ltd and a Director of Animal Health Australia Ltd. His previous positions include Managing Director of the Seafood CRC Company Ltd, Director Agrifutures Australia, Director Dairy Australia Ltd, Chief Executive Officer – Australian Wool Innovation Ltd, former Chairman of Oysters Australia Ltd and General Manager – Meat & Livestock Australia. He also runs a small consultancy business.

Special Responsibility

Member: Finance, Audit, Investment and Risk Committee

Fabrizio Jorge joined the Gardiner Foundation Board in October 2023.  Fabrizio is seasoned senior executive with a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years and during his career he has cultivated an in-depth expertise in global Dairy markets within the realms of food and beverages, consumer goods, and commodity sectors. His professional journey has taken him across Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania.

Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the BESTON Global Food Company, an ASX listed Company, and one of the top 10 largest Dairy Processors in Australia. Fabrizio brings to the Gardiner Foundation Board a strategic and seasoned perspective in Dairy Supply Chains, Product Innovation, and a vast Global network with Dairy Processors. Hailing from Brazil and of Italian descent, he is proficient in five languages and is an esteemed alumni of the Institute of Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Fabrizio has further demonstrated his commitment to industry leadership by serving as past Board Member of the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) and is currently a member of the Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF) Executive Committee. In these capacities, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the policy direction of Australia’s dairy industry, showcasing his dedication to contributing to the growth and development of the sector.

Fabrizio holds Bachelor, Business Administration from Pontificia Universidade Catolica, Sao Paulo, Brazil and Postgraduate, International Business from University of California, Irvine, USA.

Conny Lenneberg joined the Gardiner Foundation Board in October 2021.  She is a community development practitioner, currently working as a consultant.

Conny’s previous roles include Executive Director of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, Regional Leader for World Vision in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Deputy CEO for World Vision Australia and Rural Development Advisor for the Danish Committee for Afghanistan.

Conny has a Master of Arts (Research) and Honorary Doctorate (2017).  She is a member of the Advisory Committee for La Trobe University’s Institute for Human Security and previously on the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, the National Youth Employment Body and the Collaborative for Mature Age Employment.  She has held board positions with the Communities Council of Australia, the Australian Council for International Development, Oxfam Australia and World Vision International.

Aubrey Pellett joined the Gardiner Foundation Board in October 2021. Aubrey is a Dairy farmer in Hill End West Gippsland. For the last 20 years Aubrey has grown his dairy business from new entrant to cow ownership to a 200 ha pasture based dairy farm.

Prior to dairy farming Aubrey had a short career in banking after university and before a stint travelling and living in the UK. Aubrey has previously served as a Director with Rural Financial Counselling Service Gippsland (being Chair for last four years), GippsDairy and Deputy Chair Bonlac Supply Company.

Aubrey was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 2014 where he travelled the world researching the future of pasture based dairy productivity.

Aubrey has a Company Directors Diploma (GAICD),Post Graduate Diploma in Information Systems from Victoria University in Wellington NZ, a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Farm Mgmt. Major) from Lincoln University NZ and a Diploma in Farm Management with Distinction from Lincoln University NZ.

Michael joined the Gardiner Foundation board in 2022, having spent six years as an independent advisor to the Foundation’s Finance, Audit, Investment and Risk (FAIR) Committee.

Michael has extensive investment experience across all asset classes, including alternative investments. Michael’s previous roles include Chief Investment Officer of LUCRF Super, Equip Super and Rio Tinto Staff Super, Head of Multi Asset Class Funds at Invesco Australia and County NatWest Australia, and an Australian Financial Services Licence Responsible Officer.

Michael has been a Board Director of several unlisted property funds and direct infrastructure investments and has frequently been invited to be a speaker, panellist or moderator at many Australian and international investment conferences.

Michael’s business, Corinella Capital Partners, provides investment governance, investment management and risk management advisory services to superannuation funds, wealth managers, endowments and foundations, and family offices.

Michael holds a BSc(Hons), PhD and MBA from The University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Allan Cameron was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Gardiner Foundation in September 2021. Allan’s professional career has been spent in rural and regional communities developing a strong background in agriculture, agribusiness, financial services and rural extension. Allan has a deep understanding of Australian agriculture and extensive relationships across stakeholders in the Australian dairy industry.

Galina is a senior finance executive boasting more than two decades of experience in finance and governance. Holding a Master of Practicing Accounting from Monash University and membership with Certified Practicing Accountants, Galina exemplifies a commitment to professional advancement and expertise.

Galina’s professional journey has primarily unfolded within the not-for-profit sector, with a notable decade-long tenure in the medical research community. Galina’s recent executive roles include serving as Financial Controller at the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and as Deputy CFO at the Murdock Children’s Research Institute. Galina adds value through Finance as a key driver for sustainable growth.

Jenny Wilson joined Gardiner Foundation in November 2023 after working for several years as Chief Executive Officer of Murray Dairy. She’s also a Director on the board of Goulburn Valley Water and deputy chair of GOTAFE. Jenny has previously worked in senior management roles for multiple Victorian State Government Departments in the areas of agriculture and natural resource management.

Passionate about regional Victoria, Agriculture, and Skills and Training, Jenny has led several programs supporting agricultural communities in the adoption of new science, innovation, and skills, particularly in response to water policy reform and climate change. Jenny has extensive government and industry experience in leadership, strategic planning, community engagement, training and development, and emergency response and recovery.

She’s a graduate of Charles Sturt University having completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science, holds an Advanced Certificate in Sustainability and a Diploma of Project Management, and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sallie Clynes joined Gardiner Foundation in January 2024 in the newly created Executive Assistant role.

She has a strong and diverse background in organisational administration and has experience working across a range of industries. With a proven track record in efficiently managing administrative tasks, Sallie is adept at navigating the intricacies of executive support. Demonstrating a keen eye for detail, forward-thinking, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Sallie aims to ensure seamless operations within any organisational setting, contributing to the overall success of the team and organisation.

Sallie brings along a collaborative approach to build and cultivate strong relationships with colleagues and team members.

Ashley brings her background in media, advertising, marketing and stakeholder management.

Ashley was appointed as People & Community Development (PCD) Projects Coordinator in August 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations) from RMIT and has a strong background in media, advertising, marketing and stakeholder management.

Her previous experience working in a creative advertising agency equipped Ashley with a proficient level of exposure to regional Australia and New Zealand working with Agricultural and Machinery clients. She has also worked in one of Australia’s leading media publications where she worked with motoring and machinery dealer associates.

Working with the PCD program, Ashley has been able to develop strong relationships across the dairy supply chain as well as successfully plan and implement our events since commencing her role with the Gardiner Dairy Foundation.

Joining the Gardiner Foundation in 2007, Jenny has extensive experience in the dairy industry.  Jenny’s role supports the Financial Stewardship objective of the Gardiner Foundation Strategy and encompasses finance and compliance, governance, human resources, project and contract administration as well as operational functions.  

Jenny has a strong connection with regional Victoria and the issues facing the industry and rural communities.