National Program Steering Committee

Committee Members

The National Program Steering Committee brings together senior leaders across agriculture, health, education, government, retail, and research. The NPSC provides strategic oversight and expert guidance to ensure the program stays focused, impactful, and grounded in cross-sector collaboration.

Michael Coote

Michael is the AUSVEG CEO and Chair of the Plus One Serve NPSC. With more than a decade of experience in the vegetable industry, Michael has led export development initiatives and has worked extensively with government, NGOs, and growers to champion the interests of Australian vegetable producers.

Kate Eastoe

Kate is the General Manager, Sustainability – Healthy Living for Woolworths Group, and Chair of the Woolworths Group Foundation. With 25 years corporate experience spanning legal, regulatory, governance, sustainability and risk within top ASX/LSE companies, Kate brings policy, strategic and operational expertise from roles across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, many of those involving food production and retail. Kate is an advocate for boosting vegetable consumption to improve our health, support growers and sustainable food production, and enhance food security.

Dr Anthony Kachenko

Anthony is the General Manager of Production & Sustainability R&D at Hort Innovation. With more than two decades in Australian horticulture and a wealth of experience across agribusiness, Anthony leads research and development that supports innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth for our growers. His leadership spans data, extension, and stakeholder engagement, underpinned by a PhD in Agricultural Science and multiple qualifications in agribusiness and governance.

Lynley Van Lathum

Lynley has been working for Rugby Farm, Queensland based vegetable growers, for over 7 years.  Her current role is Executive Officer – Marketing.  The role is diverse, in which she oversees the Harvest, Packing Sheds, Quality/Technical, and Sales/Marketing teams for Rugby.  Stemming from her pride of working in and determination to support the Australian horticulture industry, Lynley is also actively involved in various industry groups.

Dean Gall

Dean Gall is a Melbourne-based executive with over 20 years of experience in Australian and international fresh produce supply chains. As Chief Commercial Officer of Premier Fresh Australia, he leads all commercial operations including sales, supply, quality, compliance, and team management. In March 2025, he was unanimously elected Chairman of the International Fresh Produce Association, Australia & New Zealand (IFPA ANZ), and now represents the region on the IFPA global board for a three-year term. He has served on the IFPA A-NZ board since 2022, most recently as Treasurer.

Professor Rebecca Golley

Professor Rebecca Golley is a Professor in Dietetics at Flinders Caring Futures Institute and a leading researcher in public health nutrition. Her work focuses on improving Australia’s diet quality, particularly vegetable intake for health and wellbeing. Her work informs policy and practice through cross-sector collaboration and implementation science to create healthier environments for our communities. She has secured over $13 million in research funding and authored over 170 publications, cited over 4000 times. Her work has shaped national initiatives such as VegKIT, improving children’s vegetable intake through coordinated action across setting where children live, learn, eat and play.

Alice Gorman

Alice Gorman drives Kalfresh’s customer focus and marketing, bringing paddock-to-plate stories to life through products and experiences that boost veg intake. She helped champion value-add and waste-reduction ideas (from “Just Veg” to farm-open days like Carrot Day) and frequently represents Kalfresh in the media on consumer engagement. Alice also works with community programs encouraging kids to eat more vegetables and supports formats that fit lunchboxes. Her role bridges growers, retailers and local partners to make vegetables more convenient, appealing and trusted.

Erica Kneipp

Erica Kneipp is Research Director, Human Health at CSIRO, leading multidisciplinary programs across nutrition science, precision health, prevention and health-system innovation. Her career bridges research, translation and policy, with an emphasis on evidence that improves population outcomes and informs industry practice. At CSIRO, Erica oversees partnerships with universities, healthcare and agrifood sectors to translate science into scalable solutions—from diet quality and metabolic health to data-driven prevention.

Justin Taylor

Justin Taylor leads the Vegetables category at Simplot Australia, partnering with retailers and foodservice to grow value in frozen and shelf-stable veg. His role spans category strategy, portfolio optimisation and shopper-led innovation, supported by Simplot’s iconic brands and Australian manufacturing footprint. Justin works at the intersection of agricultural supply, processing and consumer insight to improve convenience, reduce waste and support everyday nutrition.

Kim Tikellis

Kim Tikellis is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, Fellow of Dietitians Australia, and a sessional lecturer in Nutrition & Dietetics at ACU. With 25+ years across food industry, regulation and retail, Kim is Group Manager, Nutrition & Health at Coles, leading policy, reformulation and consumer education initiatives. She is a sought-after speaker on practical levers that improve population diets and responsible marketing.

Magriet Raxworthy

Magriet Raxworthy is CEO of Dietitians Australia, the peak body for more than 9,000 dietitians. A dietitian and seasoned healthcare executive, she leads national advocacy for prevention, nutrition care and workforce policy—recent initiatives span aged-care food and nutrition standards and productivity through better diets. Magriet brings 25+ years’ leadership across Australia and internationally, strengthening the profession’s impact through governance, innovation and partnerships.

Georgie Ross

Georgie Ross works within Coles Own Brand on product development with a Nutrition & Health focus, helping deliver better-for-you options that align with Coles’ healthier-choices commitments. Her background includes consumer-led innovation and quality in grocery categories, with experience bringing plant-forward and reformulated products to market. Public references show Georgie in product development for Coles’ grocery portfolio, speaking to improved sensory and nutritional targets in new lines.