Fifteen talented and driven professionals from across Australia have been announced as the Future Leaders 2019. They will join a growing alumnus of committed individuals ready and willing to drive the future success of the grape and wine community.
The Future Leaders of 2019 are:
| Andy Clarke | The Dirt Dude Ag Advisor (Bendigo) |
| Armando Corsi | University of South Australia, Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science (Adelaide) |
| Carrah Lymer | Emerge Creative Agency (Griffith) |
| Catherine Kidman | Treasury Wine Estates (Coonawarra) |
| Chris Thomas | Dowie Doole (McLaren Vale) |
| Dylan McMahon | Seville Estate (Yarra Valley) |
| Hayley Purbrick | Tahbilk (Nagambie) |
| Jessica Chrcek | Moothi Estate (Mudgee) |
| Kavita Faiella | Shaw and Smith (Adelaide Hills) |
| Keira O'Brien | Winemaking Tasmania (Hobart) |
| Marco Gjergja | Kooyong Wines Port Phillip Estate (Mornington Peninsula) |
| Mark Fogarty | Fogarty Wine Group (Western Australia) |
| Matthew Bahen | DeBortoli Wines (Yarra Valley and Hunter Valley) |
| Nadja Wallington | Philip Shaw Wines (Orange) |
| Tom Donegan | Voyager Estate (Margaret River). |
Coordinated by Wine Australia and supported by Australian Grape and Wine, Future Leaders is a professional and personal development program that invests in the next generation of Australia's wine sector leaders so that they are prepared for the challenges facing the sector and can be catalysts for innovative change.
Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Future Leaders 2019 selection panel Andreas Clark said this year's participants were selected from a highly competitive field across Australia's grape and wine sector.
'The application process itself demonstrates the breadth and depth of innovation and talent across our grape and wine community; people who are already doing incredible work. This year's 15 Future Leaders are indicative of the excellence that exists within our sector', said Mr Clark.
'The Future Leaders program will bring together these 15 emerging leaders and guide them through opportunities to develop their leadership skills and to work collaboratively towards solutions for our sector's long-term prosperity.'
On learning of his selection in this year's program, Andy Clarke said 'I am thrilled to be a participant in the Future Leaders 2019 program. This group's diversity, with expertise, experience and perspectives from all sectors and regions of the industry, will provide a great environment to challenge our leadership ideals. What an amazing opportunity to build networks, share ideas, develop skills and grow as a person.'
For Hayley Purbrick, as a parent of three living in a regional area 'the opportunity to network within the Australian wine sector is limited. It's the nature of the beast. To be accepted into the program was a happy surprise and I'm excited by the prospect of being challenged to think and learn about our diverse industry by people who love it as much as I do.'
Jess Chrcek said her acceptance into the program was an honour, 'and I am excited to have the opportunity to learn and grow with my fellow participants. I anticipate it will be a challenge and expect it won't be easy but I'm really looking forward to it!'
Future Leaders 2019 program
This year, the Future Leaders will be guided on a personal leadership journey and be asked to consider the opportunities and challenges facing the Australian grape and wine community.
Over six months they will explore leadership skills, hear from world class speakers and receive their input on topics such as innovation, thought leadership, culture and sector impact.
Previous Future Leaders alumni will also act as mentors throughout the program; to provide their wisdom, build greater networks and support an exciting future for the Australian grape and wine community.
Future Leaders from top left to right: Andy Clarke, Carrah Lymer, Armando Corsi, Catherine Kidman, Jessica Chrcek, Nadja Wallington, Hayley Purbrick, Matthew Bahen, Mark Fogarty, Kavita Faiella, Marco Gjergja, Chris Thomas, Keira O'Brien, Dylan McMahon and Tom Donegan.
