Trade Organic Export Masterclass – Indonesia

Najib Lawand has 25 years’ experience leading Australian food-export businesses and agri-food industry development teams.

He is well known for his capabilities in opening up new export markets and has worked extensively in the Middle East, North and South-East Asia. Since 2010, Najib has worked for NSW Trade and Investment, advising businesses and government on growth strategies for the agrifood industry. In his most recent role as General Manager Market Development with Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL), Najib collaborated with individual businesses, governments and industry groups to deliver projects that have resulted in new export market opportunities.

In June 2017, Najib founded Export Connect, which uses the skills, connections and expertise he has acquired over the past 25 years to help companies select the right markets, connect with the right buyers, and grow. Since June 2017, Najib and the Export Connect team have delivered over 140 market reports and assessments, covering more than 20 export markets for clients including Chobani, Masterfoods, Woolworths, Robert Timms and Birch & Waite.

Catherine Mudford is Director, Capability Development at Asialink Business, Australia’s National Centre for Asia Capability. Asialink Business helps individuals and organisations develop essential knowledge of Asian markets, business environments, cultures and political landscapes to engage more effectively with Asia.

Catherine is an experienced general manager with 20+ years’ experience in international business, gained across developed and emerging markets. She has lived in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore and worked extensively across the Asia region from these bases.

Until recently, Catherine was based in Singapore where she worked with the Singapore government to support the development of global leaders with a strong understanding of leading in Asia. She is passionate about helping leaders build the awareness and insight to help them be successful as they work across borders.

Dr Ackerman is a founding Director of PT Mitra Asia Lestari, a company focused on producing sound research, sustainable business development and increasing leadership capacity in South East Asia.

He has been in Indonesia for over 15 years with a focus during this time on disaster rehabilitation, reducing illegal fishing, minimizing trade barriers, improving animal welfare, managing smallholder farmer development programs, reviewing traceability systems, optimising logistic and transportation networks and promoting Australian capabilities.

Dr Ackerman has a background in biology and ecology, obtaining his PhD in 2004 from James Cook University, and currently holds a position as Adjunct Professor at the University of New England, Australia. He is a recipient of an Australian Day Achievement Award for his work overseas and sits on the Boards of the International Business Chamber in Indonesia and the Indonesia Australia Business Council.

Josefine Pettersson has a Masters of Organic Agriculture coupled with industry experience, at management level, in both cropping and livestock. Having worked in the EU and Australia, she brings a new perspective of Organic Agriculture and insight to advancing opportunities of Australian producers. As part of her new Technical Officer role at AOL, she is focused on standards development and market access to further advance the Organic industry.