The Agrifood Innovation Institute (AFII) invites you to join our Director Professor Owen Atkin in conversation with industry leaders about key challenges facing the agrifood and innovation sectors and the role universities can play in solving them.

Come and hear from AFII board members about opportunities for universities and industry to work together to provide innovative solutions to some of the more intractable problems facing agriculture in the near and long term.

The panel will comprise AFII board members:

	Ute Roessner (ANU Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research Initiatives and Infrastructure) A renowned biochemist and innovative researcher who will be the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Research Council (ARC) starting March 31, 2025.
	Rob Gordon (Non-Executive Director, Inghams Group) Over 40 years of experience in the Food and Agriculture sectors including more than 25 years in CEO and Managing Director roles for companies including SunRice, Viterra, Dairy Farmers, and Goodman Fielder.
	Hebbat Manhy (Head of Technology – Agriculture, Climate & Industry, Cicada Innovations) Over 20 years experience in innovation and business transformation with a proven track record in successfully implementing large-scale complex engineering, marketing, commercial and digital strategies to deliver value and growth.
	Ben Fargher (Lead, Environmental Markets, Cargill Australia) With decades of experience in management and leadership roles including as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Farmers’ Federation. He is currently the Country Representative for Cargill, a multinational food corporation and the largest privately held company in the United States.

Following the panel session there will be an opportunity for audience Q&A.

This is an in person event.