About RIRDC

Board of Directors

Professor Daniela Stehlik - Chair
Professor Daniela Stehlik is inaugural Director of The Northern Institute and Professor of Sociology at Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory. Professor Stehlik's involvement in community development activities, and the impact of change on communities has led to a number of publications focusing on issues associated with social sustainability, community capacity building and evidence based policy. She is particularly interested in the generative capacity of women's energy and enthusiasm as an important component of community flourishing.

In 2008 Professor Stehlik was a member of the Expert Social Panel involved in the Federal Government's Review of Drought Policy. She has previously worked in Queensland and Western Australia.
Appointed 21 April 2010 until 20 April 2013. BA (ANU), M. Soc Sci (ECU), A. Dip Bus Admin (SAIT), Uni SA, PhD (UWA)

Dr Merilyn Sleigh
Dr Sleigh has a strong background in applied biological research with CSIRO and extensive experience in management and governance in the biotechnology industry and in the public sector. She was formerly Managing Director of ASX-listed biotechnology company EvoGenix Ltd.  She is currently a non-executive director of Tyrian Diagnostics Ltd and Clover Corporation Ltd (both ASX-listed), and of AdAlta Pty Ltd and Relationships Australia (NSW).  She also acts as a consultant and adviser on research commercialisation and biotechnology investment. Dr Sleigh has previously served on a wide range of government committees, boards and councils including serving with the Australian Research Council, the Cooperative Research Centres Committee, and the Boards of the Australian Institute of Marine Science and of Food Science Australia. She has recently completed her term as chair of the advisory committee for the Australian Biological Resources Study.
Re-appointed 1/7/11 to 30 /6/14. BSc(Hons), PhD, Dip Corp Man FTSE FAICD

Mr Alex Campbell, AM
Mr Campbell has extensive experience in agricultural production for sheep, cattle, farm forestry and viniculture. He is Chairperson of the South Coast NRM Inc and Chairperson of the Albany Foundation Campus of the University of Western Australia. He is the past Chair of the CRC Salinity, Land and Water Australia and the WA State Salinity Council. He is also deeply involved with Regional NRM delivery and management. Mr Campbell has an Honorary Doctorate of Science in Agriculture from the University of Western Australia.
Re-appointed 1/7/11 to 30 /6/14. Hon PhD (UWA)

Ms Roseanne Healy
Ms Healy is an experienced non-executive company Director and advisor to listed and unlisted companies in the areas of governance, public and private partnerships, strategy, marketing, resource economics, corporate social responsibility and economic research. Ms Healy is currently Chairperson of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia's Lay Advisory Committee, Riverland Wine Industry Development Council, Riverland Winegrape Growers Association and Greyhound Racing SA Ltd. Ms Healy is currently a director of ASX listed Cheviot Kirribilly Vineyard Property Group and Tidewater Funds Management Ltd as well as Racing SA Ltd, Greyhounds Australasia and GP Partners. Previously, Ms Healy has held senior executive and Chief Executive roles.
Re-appointed 1/7/11 to 30 /6/14. BA (Eco), MBA, MBR, MAICD

Dr Len Stephens
Dr Stephens is currently the Managing Director of the Seafood CRC Ltd, a Cooperative Research Centre involving 30 industry and scientific partners focused on seafood productivity and market development. His previous positions and experience are:- Company Director - Dairy Australia Ltd (2007 - 2010); Principal - Global Innovation Options Pty Ltd - Management Consultancy (Jan 07-Jun 2007); Chairman - Australian Wool Exchange, Industry Standards Advisory Committee (2007); Chief Executive Officer, Australian Wool Innovation Ltd (2003 - 2006) - With staff in six countries, AWI provides marketing support for Australia's $3billion Merino wool export industry and conducts research to improve the production and processing of wool; General Manager, Meat & Livestock Australia Ltd  (1996 - 2003) - Part of the executive team that established MLA, the company responsible for research, marketing and promotion on behalf of Australia's beef and lamb producers.  Responsible for all the applied livestock production R&D across Australia; Southern Program Manager, Meat Research Corporation  (1996 - 1998) - Responsible for all R&D projects across temperate Australia; Director, Victorian Institute of Animal Science (1987 - 1996) ; Inaugural Director of VIAS, established by the Victorian Government to provide veterinary diagnostic services, biotechnology  and a wide range of R&D programs; Company Director, Daratech Pty Ltd (1990 - 1995) - A R&D commercialization company owned by the Government of Victoria; Director, Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Bairnsdale, Victoria (1982 - 1987) - Responsible for the provision of full service diagnostic and disease detection operations for the south east region of Victoria.
Appointed 1/7/11 to 30 /6/14. AICD, Dip Agr Sci, BVSc, MSc, PhD

Mr Sam Archer

Mr Michael Guerin
Michael Guerin is an experienced senior executive having held Managing Director roles with both Elders and ANZ Banking Group with ability to galvanize and energize large teams, develop new and existing markets and deliver results.  He has a proven track record in managing substantial businesses and budgets in multiple domestic and international markets and brings significant financial expertise and rigour to operations. 

Michael also holds the role as Chairman of Vitalharvest Ltd, an unlisted public company that is the owner of a large scale, high performing agribusiness portfolio.  He is an entrepreneurial strategic thinker with an emphasis on clearly defining and articulating opportunities, gaining buy-in from multiple stakeholders and delivering outcomes.  He has significant experience in Risk Management, Product Development and Balance Sheet and liquidity management in Financial Services and holds an MBA, Post Grad Diploma in Banking and Bachelor of Commerce.  He has expertise and a track record of driving bottom line results with a Leadership style based on a balance of EQ and IQ and an ability to manage relationships with key stakeholders, including Boards of Directors.  
Appointed 1/7/11 to 30 /6/14.

Ms Alana Johnson
Alana Johnson is a Rural Consultant and fifth generation Farmer. For the past 30 years she has been involved in cattle production, farm forestry and landscape renovation on the family property near Benalla in Victoria. A Social Worker and clinical Family Therapist, Alana is a lecturer and PhD candidate at Monash University and has been awarded an Australian Post Graduate Scholarship for her research into philanthropy in the agriculture sector. She is the current Chair of the Women's Advisory Panel to the Victorian Minister for Agriculture. 

Alana was a participant in the 2020 Summit and a facilitator at the National Rural Women's Summit. She is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. A pioneer in rural women's leadership in Australia, Alana is a founding member of Australian Women in Agriculture, former President of the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women and she holds the rural / regional portfolio on the Board of the Victorian Women's Trust. Alana is recognized nationally and internationally for her work on Change Management, Farm Succession Planning and Leadership Training. She is currently working in India to organize the 5th International Congress of Rural Women. She will return to Australia in October this year from presenting at an international climate change conference in Italy.

Alana Johnson was the Victorian Rural Woman of the Year for 2010 and was the Australian Rural Women's Award runner up in 2010. In May 2011 she represented rural and regional Australia on the ABC television Q+A panel and features in the recently published Women's Word of Wisdom, launched by Governor General to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day.
Appointed 1/7/11 to 30 /6/14.  BA. BSW. AASW. VAFT(Clinical). MAICD. FARLF

Mr Craig Burns - Managing Director
Mr Burns commenced his role as Managing Director in July 2010.  He previously held several positions in the Australian Government where he held senior positions focussing on trade and development policies for primary industries.  His roles have included engagement on a range of multilateral, regional and bilateral trade agreements, international agricultural cooperation and minerals and energy policy.  Mr Burns has extensive experience working with international organisations including the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the OECD.  From 1999-2002 he was Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) at the Australian Delegation to the OECD.  He was Chairman of the International Grains Council from 2001 to 2002, Vice-Chair of the OECD Committee for Agriculture from 2002 to 2004 and Chair of the OECD Joint Working Party on Agriculture and Trade from 2004 to2006.
Appointed 12 July 2010. Master of Economics, Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education.