Dr Mark Krstic is the Managing Director of the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI). He has more than 25 years of experience in grape and wine research, development and extension in roles within the AWRI, GWRDC (now Wine Australia), Victorian Government and CSIRO. Mark chairs the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference Inc. and is on the Boards of the National Wine Foundation and the South Australian Genomics Centre. Mark is also a past President of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology, Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University and graduate of the Wine Industry Future Leaders Program (2010).

Dr Martin Cole is the CEO of Wine Australia. He joined the organisation on 15 November 2021, after working as Head of School, Agriculture, Food and Wine at the University of Adelaide. He is internationally regarded for his work as a food scientist, with expertise in food safety, food trends and innovation, processing and nutrition, and the translation of science into community and commercial outcomes. Along with his wine sector experience, Dr Cole brings more than 25 years’ experience in research management across government, academia and industry – including the broader agricultural sectors. Described as an “influential, inspirational and visionary leader”, Dr Cole has held leadership positions with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industry Research Organisation (CSIRO), overseas and in larger commercial companies.

Bryan Fry is the Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Winemakers, responsible for the global Pernod Ricard wine production, sales, marketing and distribution, in addition to the distribution of the champagne and spirits portfolio across Australia and New Zealand. Bryan has worked for Pernod Ricard for 24 years, starting in Operations in South Australia before successfully undertaking various sales, marketing and leadership roles across Australia, Asia Pacific, Brazil and the US. Prior to returning to his homeland in Australia to lead the Pacific Distribution business, Bryan was President and CEO of Pernod Ricard USA. Bryan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Adelaide and a Graduate Diploma in Economics from the University of New England.

The Hon Julie Bishop served as Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2013 until her resignation in 2018. She was the first female to hold the role as well as the first female Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, serving for 11 years. As Foreign Minister, Ms Bishop was responsible for strengthening Australia’s key strategic and economic relationships with Ministerial responsibility for more than 5,000 departmental staff, 110 overseas missions as well as government agencies Australian Secret Intelligence Service and Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research. In 2014, she led the international response to the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine, and was awarded the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under her leadership, the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper was developed, providing a comprehensive policy framework for the next decade; and the New Colombo Plan was established, enabling Australian undergraduates to live, study and work in the Indo-Pacific region. Within five years more than 40,000 students have participated in the Plan. In a political career spanning over 20 years, Julie also served as Minister for Education, Science and Training, Minister for Women’s Issues and Minister for Ageing. Prior to entering politics, Ms Bishop was Managing Partner of the law firm Clayton Utz in Perth. In 2020 Julie was awarded a Fisher Family Fellowship for the Future of Diplomacy Project at Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs. In 2021 Julie was awarded the Kissinger Fellowship at the McCain Institute of International Leadership at Arizona State University. In 2021 Julie was appointed by the UK Government to the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC) She is also a member of the Trilateral Commission Capitalism Task Force and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) AI Policy Forum Steering Committee. Julie was chosen by Mattel Australia as the 2021 Aus Shero Official Role Model as part of the Barbie Dream Gap Project for her inspiring career and iconic contribution as Australia’s first female Foreign Minister. Julie is the Chancellor of Australian National University, Chair of Telethon Kids Institute, Chair of Prince’s Trust Australia, member of the international advisory boards of Afiniti and the Human Vaccines Project and is a member of the Global Board of Advisors of the Council on Foreign Relations. She is the also the Patron of Shooting Stars (an education programme for young aboriginal girls) She has also established a boutique advisory firm, Julie Bishop and Partners.

Mickey O'Brien (Kumatpi) is a Senior Aboriginal Man. MickeyO, as he is called, is a descendant of the Kaurna (Adelaide Plains) and Narrunga (Yorke Peninsula) peoples. MickeyO has been sharing cultural engagement for a number of years now. It is a role handed to him by his father, Yerla Burka (Old Man of the Sea), a position he honours and respects greatly. He is a foster parent of seventeen years, to three beautiful children. MickeyO has travelled and worked across Australia, living and working in a number of Aboriginal Communities, delivering programs and benefits. He enjoys the opportunity to support the Aboriginal community, sitting on boards and advisory panels. At the 18th AWITC he will share his cultural knowledge and welcome to country with us. His father has told him “Aboriginal people have always welcomed people to this country, we just never told them to go home”.