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National Farmers' Federation

Our Team

Meet our Team

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) team is made up of highly-skilled and experienced professionals who are dedicated to the cause of furthering the opportunities for Australia’s farmers.

The NFF team has a strong passion for Australian Agriculture and making sure the sector continues to grow for years to come….

Kristy Barber

Manager, Leadership & Projects

Kristy Barber

Kristy joined the NFF team in April 2021 as a Leadership Projects Coordinator. Prior to joining the NFF, Kristy studied at the Australian National University where she received her Master of Environmental Management and Development. Originally from Alabama in the United States, Kristy has a passion for building strong rural and regional communities.

Tonami Deed

Policy Officer, Natural Resource Management

Tonami Deed

Tonami recently graduated from The Australian National University with a Double Degree majoring in Sustainability Studies and International Relations. He recently joined the NFF Team in March 2023 as a Policy Officer in the Natural Resource Management Portfolio.

Rhema El-Masri

Executive Assistant

Rhema El-Masri

Blake Hillier

Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Farmsafe Australia

Blake Hillier

Born in Perth and now residing in Melbourne, Blake has been working at The Weekly Times for the last 5 years as the Senior Commercial Account Manager. He joined the NFF team in 2022 as the executive officer of Farmsafe.

Haylee Murrell

Outbound Project Officer, AgCAREERSTART

Haylee Murrell

Haylee hails from the Liverpool plains which is where her love for agriculture came from. She is about to complete her Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of New England. Haylee comes from a recruitment background and has a history of working in the Agricultural industry. She is passionate about the future of Australian Ag and helping today’s youth take advantage of the opportunities the industry can provide for them.

Richard Shannon

Executive Officer, Hort Council

Richard Shannon

From growing up on the family farm on the northern Darling Downs, Richard has built a career and reputation as an industry advocate and public policy professional, working across agriculture, trade, renewable energy, healthcare innovation and Indigenous education. He joined the NFF team in September 2022.

Steffie Vaiphei

Projects & Leadership Coordinator and Rural Planning

Steffie Vaiphei

Steffie joined the NFF Team in August 2023 as our Projects & Leadership Coordinator, with Rural Planning, Project. She has a background in Supply Chain Management. Steffie supports Kristy Barber with Leadership programs and Richard Shannon with Indigenous Product Framework.

Charlotte Wundersitz

Senior Policy Officer, Trade & Economics

Charlotte Wundersitz

Charlotte joined the NFF team in 2022 as the trade and economics policy officer. She has a background in law and is originally from a broad acre cropping farm in South Australia. Charlotte has previously worked as a policy analyst for Grain Producers SA.

Stefanie Blake

Community Engagement Coordinator, AgCAREERSTART

Stefanie Blake

Stef joined the NFF team in January 2022 as the Community Engagement Officer for the AgCAREERSTART program. Stef hails from a family dairy farm in Southwest Victoria and, prior to the NFF, worked as a Relationship Manager for a major dairy processor. Stef holds tertiary qualifications in agriculture and law from the University of Melbourne.

Kade Denton

General Manager, Trade & Economics

Kade Denton

Kade joined the NFF in July 2020 as a Senior Project Officer, moving into the General Manager role and has recently become General Manager of Trade & Economics. Prior to joining the NFF, Kade held roles in the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and the Department of Agriculture where he worked across a number of areas, including environmental policy for the resources sector, water infrastructure and biosecurity. Growing up in coastal NSW, Kade comes from a tuna fishing background before studying agronomy and agricultural entomology at the University of Sydney.

Kayla Evans

Program Manager, AgCAREERSTART

Kayla Evans

Kayla joined the team in Jan 2022 to spearhead the AgCAREERSTART program as Project Manager. Originally from a family farm in QLD, Kayla has run several agricultural careers, education, and capacity building projects in Western Australia for organisations such as the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia.

Stevi Howdle

Executive Officer, Farmsafe Australia

Stevi Howdle

Warwick Ragg

General Manager, Natural Resource Management

Warwick Ragg

Warwick was raised on a farm in the NSW Southern Highlands and has almost 30 years experience in rural and regional advocacy. Prior to joining NFF Warwick had been working in the Commonwealth Government in stakeholder engagement roles and had previously spent a decade with NSW Farmers' Association and a further decade as chief executive of Australian Forest Growers.

Amanda Tankey

General Manager, Governance & Corporate Services

Amanda Tankey

Amanda joined the NFF in 2012 and has a broad range of experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in the areas of agriculture, transport, education, health, and human resources.

Emily White

Policy Officer, Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework

Emily White

Emily joined the NFF team in June 2023 as Project Officer for the AASF. Originally from Canberra, she has spent time working as an agronomist in NSW Southern Tablelands. Prior to joining the NFF she managed a vineyard in the ACT and has experience across viticulture and winemaking.

Chris Young

General Manager, Rural Affairs

Chris Young

Chris joined the NFF in 2022 as the General Manager of Rural Affairs. He has a background working in agriculture, with a focus in the livestock industry.

Stacey Davidson

Media & Communications Lead

Stacey Davidson

Stacey joined the NFF team in February 2022 as communications and media coordinator. Growing up on a sheep and cattle property in outback South Australia, Stacey followed a career in regional journalism across the state. She also spent time working in a regional electorate office while also running her own copywriting business specialising in agriculture and regional Australia.

Chloe Dutschke

Training and Career Development Coordinator, AgCAREERSTART

Chloe Dutschke

Chloe joined the NFF team in February 2022 as part of the AgCAREERSTART program. She studied a Bachelor of Animal Science at the University of Adelaide and is passionate about the future of young people in agriculture. Chloe joins the NFF after spending two years working on a merino sheep station.

Tony Mahar

Chief Executive Officer

Tony Mahar

Tony comes from a farming background in south western Victoria and has worked in and around agriculture for the majority of his working life. He has experience in working with global food manufacturers, major Australian agribusinesses and the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture. He was appointed NFF CEO in March 2016 after holding the positions of Trade and Economics manager and Deputy CEO. He has tertiary qualification in agricultural commerce from Sydney University and a masters degree in industry policy from ANU.

Larisa Medenis

Digital Coordinator, NFF/AASF

Larisa Medenis

Larisa's joined the NFF team after working six years as the communications lead for Earth Sciences at the Australian National University. Her experience stems from working within property, media, education and she will be bringing her creative skills to AASF/NFF.

Ben Rogers

General Manager, Workplace Relations & Legal Affairs

Ben Rogers

Ben Rogers joined the NFF team in June 2017 bringing his experience in workplace relations and law to the role of General Manager, Workplace Relations and Legal Affairs. Ben comes with a wealth of experience in the Industrial Relations/Workplace Relations area as Principal Solicitor in the ACT Government, and previously with Comcare and private legal practices in New South Wales.

Charles Thomas

General Manager, Corporate Affairs

Charles Thomas

Charlie helps establish partnerships with likeminded organisations to enhance our advocacy and initiatives, as well as guiding campaign strategy and online communications. Raised on a farm near Condobolin, NSW, Charlie started his working life with a prominent law firm before pursuing a career in political advocacy.

Bec Wilde

Marketing & Events Lead

Bec Wilde

Bec brings a background in design, coordination and implementation of national ag events and leadership programs as well as experience in the not-for-profit and financial industries. Hailing from Central West NSW, Bec is passionate about building the capability and relationships between individuals, businesses and government in the industry.

Harry Young

Policy Officer, Workplace Relations & Rural Affairs

Harry Young

Harry joined the NFF in June 2022 as the workplace relations and legal affairs policy officer. Harry has a Bachelor of Business majoring in economics and a Master of International Relations. He originates from a broad acre farm in South Australia which drives his passion for the industry.

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