Executive team

Dr Kelly Pearce is an Agricultural Scientist with more than 22 years of research, development and extension experience in industry and academia. She runs a farming property in the Western Australian Wheatbelt with her family. Kelly is a 2012 Nuffield Scholar, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Research Fellow with the Australian Farm Institute. She holds various board appointments including: Western Australian Meat Industry Authority board member, Biosecurity Council of WA Advisory Committee member and Advisory Member of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee with the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Kelly most recently held the position of Facey Group Chief Executive Officer. She has a degree with Honours in Agricultural Science (UWA) and a PhD in the field of Farming Systems from Murdoch University.

Debra Mullan graduated from The University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management and since then, she has gained extensive experience working in the research and agricultural sectors. Most recently, Deb was Business Manager for the National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Resilient Landscape Hub. She previously held positions as Business Manager for The UWA Institute of Agriculture and Executive Manager for Rural Edge. Throughout her career, Deb has built a broad depth of knowledge in operations management, planning, budgeting, financial control, resource allocation and reporting.

Dr Kirsty Moynihan is an experienced executive leader who excels in strategic management of complex programs, bringing together key stakeholders to develop collective purpose and driving achievement of common goals. She has more than 20 years’ experience in research, strategy, governance and evidence-based policy-setting. Kirsty is passionate about achieving collaborative and innovative solutions to support long-term regional resilience, sustainability, food security and profitability across Western Australia’s agrifood sector. Kirsty has worked across the Western Australian Government in various roles with the Departments of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Premier and Cabinet (DPC) and Jobs, Tourism, Science, and Innovation (JTSI).

Dr John Statton is a strategic research leader with a proven ability to align complex programs, stakeholders, and research initiatives toward shared goals. With over 15 years’ experience spanning academia, industry, and executive leadership, including as Director and Chief Scientist of an AgTech venture, John is known for connecting science with real-world outcomes that benefit industry and regional communities. Drawing on his deep roots in WA’s academic and innovation ecosystem, John brings a systems-thinking approach to program design and delivery. He is passionate about fostering collaboration and driving impact through partnerships that blend research excellence with commercial and practical relevance.

Jenny Crisp has had a long and diverse career at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). She started as a Development Officer in the Western Australian Wheatbelt, which inspired her to undertake postgraduate studies in agricultural extension. Since then, Jenny has developed and managed a WA extension-related capacity building program, developed and implemented an agency-level evaluation framework, managed a Biosecurity Research and Development Fund, and provided planning and evaluation analysis support to a wide range of agricultural programs and projects. Jenny’s key skills include strategic program planning and evaluation, program logic development and analysis, community development and engagement, extension and capacity building.

Sian Orchard has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist, editor, and strategic communications and stakeholder engagement specialist across both private and public sectors. Her diverse communications career has spanned print and digital media, education, agriculture and food, primary industries and regional development, and water and environment. The experience she gained working as a journalist and editor for Rural Press provided the foundations of a strong, transferable skill set. To be part of the editorial team at one of Australia’s biggest weekly community newspapers, the Mandurah Mail, honed her skills in storytelling, relationship building, creativity, and versatility. Sian has held various Communications Adviser roles at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in Grains, Food Industry Innovation, Media and Internal Communication, and Incident Management (Biosecurity and Sustainability). Her key skills include strategic communications planning and delivery, media and event management, brand strategy development, multi-organisational collaboration, print and digital content creation, and change management communications.

Paulette Szczurowski has over 35 years’ experience across both the private and public sectors. She has developed a strong expertise in project administration and operational management. Her career with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) began as an Administration Officer for the eConnected Grainbelt project, where she was responsible for administering grant programs through SmartyGrants. She later assisted in managing grant administration and coordinating Ministerial events for the Food and Beverage Fund as part of the Agribusiness Food and Trade team. Paulette currently provides comprehensive Project Support for the eConnect+ Project overseeing program administration, operational procedures, and project reporting. She ensures the efficient monitoring of progress reports, milestone achievements, and payment schedules. Previously, Paulette gained extensive experience in property development and valuations, successfully managing project delivery, office operations, and strata management in her roles as Administrator and Office Manager.