Trade Organic Export Masterclass – Malaysia

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.

Sharon Karamsingh is a Learning and Talent Development specialist, with over 30 years’ experience working with multinationals and with the Malaysian International Medical University. She is also an iCF accredited coach focusing on organisational Coaching, Career Transition and Outplacement. Sharon is passionate about cultural intelligence and embeds her knowledge of Malaysian culture in her trainings and development modules and she currently trains senior executives arriving to Malaysia on cultural integration.

Sharon has a Post Graduate Diploma in HRD and Training from the University of Leicester, UK, and a BA from University of Adelaide, South Australia, majoring in Psychology and Anthropology. She is also a Licensed Practitioner of NLP and is an ICF ACC accredited coach.

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.