Meet the Australia and New Zealand Fairtrade team

With bases in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team represents a wealth of expertise, passion and knowledge.

Our board of Directors

Dr Mike Briers AO

CEO

Dr Mike Briers AO

CEO

Mike is an active venture builder and conviction investor who has fostered new models for public-private partnerships to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges including food security, modern slavery, and climate change. He is a founding Director of the Internet of Things Alliance Australia and the Australian Agritech Association. Mike is the Executive Chairman of The Salmon Project, a partnership formed to support for-purpose companies to scale their impact. He is also an Industry Professor of Innovation at UTS Tech Lab where he supports industry engagement for sustainable urban development in Western Sydney. Mike has founded and co-founded 13 companies including a world-leading big data tech company with several spin-outs and 2 major CRCs in digital finance and digital agriculture.

John Buttle

Chair

John Buttle

Chair

John has a very keen interest in protecting the environment and corporate social responsibility. For more than 30 years, he led the financial services practices of major accounting firms in Australia, Asia and Russia. Today, John is an independent management consultant specialising in strategy, planning and risk management. He is currently a member of the board of the Sims Foundation and spends a great deal of time on humanitarian causes and related charities. He was formerly chair of The Mary MacKillop Foundation, an organisation that provides support to the neediest in our society and was also formerly chair of Northern Beaches Interchange, an organisation that provides support to children and young adults with disabilities and their families.

Josie Pagani

Board Member

Josie Pagani

Board Member

Josie’s dedication to global issues and international development has taken her across the globe. Currently New Zealand-based, Josie is the Director of the Council for International Development. She is also a regular media commentator on current affairs both here and abroad and has been involved in progressive policy think tanks in the UK. Josie has worked as a political advisor to governments, to Prime Ministers and ministers, and was a member of the government’s Trade For All Advisory Board in 2018-2019. She has high-level experience in the aid and development sector, including at the OECD DAC in Paris and a strong background in global public affairs, with a particular interest in development

Margaret Zabel

Board Member

Margaret Zabel

Board Member

Margaret believes it is critical for both organisations and individuals to do the right thing for the long term for the sustainability of our global economy. Her accomplishments span several areas including business transformation, brand strategy, innovation, corporate sustainability strategy, marketing communications, customer experience and change leadership. Margaret has 20 years of senior executive experience working across major companies and brands in FMCG, food, technology and communications industries including multinationals, ASX 100 and not-for-profits. Margaret has also served on the board of mental health charity R U OK? for five years. Margaret is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds an MBA from INSEAD, France.

Terence Jeyaretnam

Board Member

Terence Jeyaretnam

Board Member

Terrence’s interest and passion is centered on sustainability and the environment; with over 25 years of experience in advising governments and corporations on sustainability issues. Terence is currently a partner at EY in Melbourne and previously founded the Net Balance and Net Balance Foundation in 2006, growing the firm to Australia’s largest standalone sustainability and climate change practice, twice rated along the way by Business Review Weekly as one of the fastest 100 growth companies in Australia and one of the first B Corps in Australia. Terence also chairs the TCX Advisory Board and is on the boards of Food Frontier, Legal Sector Alliance and Knowledge Media.

John Thwaites

Board Member

John Thwaites

Board Member

John has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to sustainability and climate change-related issues. After a career in law and politics, John provided expertise to governments both state and federal on sustainable development issues and planning. He has served on a number of boards and advisory panels. He is a Professorial Fellow at Monash University, Chair of ClimateWorks Australia, the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Melbourne Water and the Peter Cullen Water and Environment Trust. He is also Co-Chair of the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network launched by the Secretary General of the United Nations to provide expert advice and support to the development and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. John is the recipient of several awards, including being named as one of the 100 Global Sustainability Leaders by ABC Carbon Express in 2016.

Fairtrade ANZ Constitution
Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy
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Fairtrade ANZ Board Conflict of Interest Policy
Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy (2)
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Our Team

Operational Effectiveness

Celia Xi – Accountant
Kavita Mascarenhas – Chief Operating Officer
Madeleine Jones – Company Secretary
Michael Zhu – Financial Controller
Molly Harriss Olson – Director Global Partnerships
Yasmin Duale – Certification & Compliance Officer

Advocacy and Community Engagement

Madison Robb – Digital and Campaigns Lead
Virginia Jones – Head of Marketing & Communications

Producer Support and Relations

Amy Child – Gender and Child Protection Advisor
Gabriel Iso – PNG Team Leader
Mukesh Kumar – Senior Liaison Officer
Nestor Messias – Timor Leste Project Officer
Sarah Lagente – Head of Producer Support Programs
Will Valverde – Senior Liaison Officer & Coffee Quality Advisor

Growth and Innovation

Gabriela Hrutkaiova – Growth and Innovations (Maternity leave)
Mark Suttie – Chief Growth Officer
Sam Platt – Commercial Partnership Manager NZ
Michael Dall – Commercial Partnership Manager AUS

Licensing and Certification Team

Isabella Drimer – Licensing and Commercial Support Officer

Work with us

People are at the heart of Fairtrade. The Fairtrade team is a passionate, dedicated and highly experienced group of individuals. Our regional offices are in Australia and New Zealand and we work throughout the Asia Pacific.

Our vision

A world in which all producers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfill their potential and decide on their future.

Our mission

To connect disadvantaged producers and consumers, promote fairer trading conditions and empower producers to combat poverty, strengthen their position and take more control over their lives.

Memberships

Australian Council for International Development Member

Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand is an active member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and adheres to the ACFID Fundraising Charter and ACFID Code of Conduct, which defines minimum standards of communication, governance, management and accountability of development for member non-government organisations (NGOs). 

Complaints relating to a breach of the ACFID Code of Conduct can be made to Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand through our Complaints Handling Policy or to ACFID through the ACFID Code of Conduct Complaints Handling Procedure.

View the certificate here.

Council for International Development Member

Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand is a member of the Council for International Development (CID) and is a signatory to the CID Code of Conduct. The Code requires members to meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability, and financial management.

Complaints relating to alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct by any signatory agency can be made to the CID Code of Conduct Committee. More information about the CID Code of Conduct can be obtained from CID at www.cid.org.nz, or email code@cid.org.nz.

View the certificate here.

Our members

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