FAN is a not-for-profit Australian public company limited by guarantee. FAN has a Constitution in place and is governed by a Board of voluntary directors who bring a unique combination of skills, expertise and knowledge to the organisation. FAN’s daily operations are run by a team of four, part-time contractors who have skills aligned to the key objectives of the organisation.
FAN also has a Strategy committee and Events committee that meet periodically and provide insights and recommendations to the Board.
Meet the Team – Our Board
Jacqui Wilson-Smith
Chairman
Jacqui Wilson-Smith thrives on a challenge. An advocate of the term ‘disruptive innovation’, she is constantly pushing the boundaries of the status quo, highly motivated to deliver improvements to her products in a way that the market just does not expect.
Tony Sowden
Secretary
Tony Sowden is a well-known Sunshine Coast lawyer having owned and managed commercial law firms in the region since 1992, with an expertise in organisations law, governance, corporate advisory, not-for-profit and agribusiness.
Mark Peters
Membership
Mark Peters has held CEO roles in multinational organisations involved in the process control industry as well as Management Consulting roles preparing strategic, marketing and structure re-organisation plans for a diverse range of small to medium enterprises.
Lauren Brisbane
Sponsorship
Lauren Brisbane is the Director of QCamel on the Sunshine Coast and is currently Chair of the Australian Camel Industry Association, where she has been Chair and a founding member for the past 7 years. She has worked in agri-business in Queensland for the past 18 years and has worked in the camel industry in Australia for the past 12 years.
Jacqui Price
Events
Jacqui is a passionate consumer marketer, with extensive experience in marketing and branding strategy in food and agribusiness. From mid 2012 to February 2017, Jacqui headed up Marketing at Buderim Group, where she completed a major repositioning of the Buderim Ginger brand, and was heavily involved in the company’s macadamia businesses (Agrimac and MacFarms of Hawaii).
Sean McGowan
Marketing
Sean McGowan’s professional success is built on strategic collaborative partnerships and networking. Almost two decades of experience in restaurant and venue management, boutique wine retail sales, multi-site management abroad, and sales and marketing management have gifted him broad experiences and a keen eye for forecasting business development opportunities.
David Andrews
Finance
David is a strategy consultant with over 15 years’ experience working with global professional services firms in Australia, the US and throughout Asia on engagements spanning behavioural economics, management science, entrepreneurship and rapid business expansion.
Meet the Team – Our Staff
Emma Greenhatch
General Manager
Emma Greenhatch has a strong background in the food industry and has held senior roles in government and private sectors including export markets, business development, strategic planning, research, sales and marketing.
Tanya Arnold
Events
Tanya Arnold is a hospitality and project management professional with experience working for both private and government organisations. Tanya commenced her career working in the hotel and tourism industry and in 2003, was awarded with the Ann Garms Award for Excellence in Hospitality. This scholarship provided Tanya with the opportunity to work in London at the world-class Great Eastern Hotel, managing all departments of the hotel, including private dining and events such as FICOFI Wine Events, Weddings and Conferences.
Jen Sharpe
Marketing
Jen Sharpe is an international marketing manager with over 10 years experience working with global events, tourism and lifestyle brands. A brand strategist with creative blood, in 2016 Jen founded her own marketing consulting company to pursue her passion of working in the health and wellness sectors. With a true love for local produce and the region, she is delighted to bring her experience into the industry and help put Sunshine Coast on the map as a food destination.
Sam McKerrow
Business Coordinator
With a Degree in Engineering, Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment and Graduate Certificate in Sustainability, Sam brings a wide variety of skill sets and experience to FAN. Sam was nominated for ‘Young Engineer of the Year’ during her time working at GHD-Longmac Pty Ltd, before moving to a Quantitative Analyst role with NSW Treasury Corporation.
Martin Duncan
FAN Ambassador
Martin is a Food Tourism Consultant and Farm Tour Guide, Chef, former Restaurateur and People Connector. He delights in hosting chef and producer events, showcasing the Sunshine Coast and Mary Valley’s fabulous local produce, as well as hosting fun farm-gate tours, corporate high teas and long lunch events on farms.
Petra Frieser
FAN Ambassador
Petra Frieser is the administrator and designer of Local Harvest – The Sunshine Coast and Surrounds Regional Food Directory. She is also a creative director (award winning), designer, photographer, product developer, author, publisher, reviewer, web designer, small business consultant, ‘major ideas person’ and self-proclaimed dreamer and entrepreneur.