Board of Directors
The Australian Organic Board of Directors are elected by AOL members. We are proud to have a diverse Board of six Directors representing a range of organic industry sectors including; vigneron, retail, wholesale, poultry, livestock and manufacturing.
Mike Brown and his wife Melissa own Gemtree Wines, an award winning certified organic winery in McLaren Vale, South Australia. Mike provides the board with a diverse level of wine industry experience ranging from viticulture and winemaking through to marketing and export. Mike has helped guide significant outcomes as the Chair of the Vigneron Advisory Committee. Mike took on the role of AOL Chairman in November 2022, having served on the Board as Director since 2020. EMAIL
Bernadette Favis originally worked as a corporate lawyer and governance professional before she rediscovered her love of plant based oils and established The Cocolife, a health food purpose driven company. Winner of the Young Organic Leader Award at the 2017 Annual Awards for Excellence, Bernadette Favis is recognised for her achievements and her sustainable outlook. EMAIL
David Keens of Manna Farms is a fourth-generation farmer and second-generation bio-dynamic farmer. In partnership with his brother, David farms Australia’s largest bio-dynamic and organic almond orchards and conventional citrus. David has extensive experience in not only bio-dynamic farming but also packing and marketing of fresh produce, with Manna Farms supplying the likes of Woolworths direct as well as wholesale markets both domestically and internationally. EMAIL
For the last 20 years Didi Lo has been at the forefront of healthier food and beverages. As founder, CEO and major shareholder of Soulfresh, he has overseen the growth across Australia before expanding internationally into NZ and then Europe. Didi’s expertise lies in innovation, category design, brand development, sustainability and impact, path-to-market development – local and international, and a wide array of food and beverage manufacturing. EMAIL
Iain Scholes, Braemar Investments Group, has grown his family certified organic beef cattle business at Mena Park over the last 20 years. Alongside the day-to-day management of Mena Park, Iain oversees and manages all properties within the Braemar Investment Group, supplying Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co. EMAIL
Leo Watling and his family have been eating certified organic products for over 20 years. When his wife suffered a serious health concern, exacerbated by the food she consumed they switched to organic foods. In 2013 Leo and his wife Jenny developed their own Certified Organic retail business, Apples and Sage Organic Wholefoods. EMAIL