The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology is pleased to announce the election of Mrs Jo Davey as President of the Institute.
Jo brings to the position a wealth of experience in the Australian food industry through her participation in numerous facets of the industry including leadership roles in food industry associations and industry technical and research committees.
She has been an active member of the Institute since her student days, serving in particular on the NSW Food Microbiology Group for ten years, and as its President for three years. In 2004, she was appointed as a Fellow of the Institute.
Jo graduated with Honours in Food Science and Technology from the University of NSW. She has an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
She has spent most of her career in senior commercial and technical roles in the Australian dairy industry in areas covering research, microbiology, quality assurance, quality systems, marketing, business development and innovation. She has been recognized by the Dairy Industry Association of Australia for her services to the Association and to the Australian dairy industry, as a recipient of its highest awards.
Jo has also operated as an independent consultant in innovation and strategy and is currently Managing Director of a start-up food company focusing on a consumer health sector.
The focus of my term as President will be on providing excellent and relevant services to the members of this great Institute. Our members play a critical role in ensuring food security, food safety, good nutrition and enjoyment of food by the Australian public. We have to be prepared to confront the challenges presented by climate change, growing world population, diet-related chronic diseases and a demanding food regulatory environment.
The role of the Institute is to support the members in their capacity to meet these challenges through their professional development and by providing outlets for them to network and access the resources they need. This is about promoting education, research, product and process innovation, entrepreneurship and communication.
I am looking forward to leading the Institute through the implementation of important programs such as the Continuing Professional Development program launched in July at this year’s Convention in Sydney, the development of our new and exciting web site, and the re-vamp of our flagship publication, Food Australia.
The AIFST is a national, not for profit industry body representing individuals from all sectors of the food science and technology industry.
Membership-based, it offers up-to-date commercial, technical and regulatory information, as well as other services including networking.
