Russell Brown is an agronomist and independent rural merchandise business owner who is passionate about the role of compost in broadacre cropping and grazing enterprises.

He has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) – Agronomy and Crop Science – from the University of Western Sydney Hawkesbury.

For the last 12 years he has been a Director of National Farmers Warehouse Pty Ltd (‘NFW’), an independent rural merchandising business with eight stores between the Liverpool Plains in northern NSW and the Darling Downs in Southern QLD.

For the last 10 years he has been a Director of National Rural Independents Ltd (‘NRI’). NRI is a buying group for independent rural merchandise outlets, with ~16% share in the farm input market, affording him insight into what farmers are thinking and purchasing.

For the last 12+ years he has been using compost produced from Sydney’s municipal organics on his farm near Gresford in the Hunter Valley – and marketing it to National Farmers Warehouse’s customers in Gunnedah.

He currently consults to compost producers on end use applications and market development.

Pete Lazer is one of Australia’s most sought-after hosts – from a top-rating dating show, to sporting crowds of over 100,000 people, from Miss Universe Finals to gala award dinners. Pete MC’s many live sporting events such as the AFL Premiership Season, Australian Open Tennis, Cricket, Netball, Soccer and F1. Pete is currently filming all over Victoria, reporting for Channel 7’s flagship Sunday afternoon program “The Great Weekend”.

Blake Almond provides strategic advice, executes transactions, and arranges capital for businesses leveraging sustainable real assets, with a focus on bioenergy and green fuels. He has 17 years’ experience, including a decade in investment banking at Macquarie Group across natural resources and infrastructure. Blake founded CIRC Partners in 2019 and works with private sponsors and government clients. He is an Associate Member of AORA and WMRR, and chairs WMRR’s Queensland EfW Working Group.

Minette Anthonisz is a Senior Project Officer in the Policy, Programs and Finance Division at the NSW EPA, focusing on organics end-market development and product quality. Her work includes advancing innovative technologies to manage contamination in organics streams. Minette brings 20 years’ experience from the global textile and apparel industry, where she specialised in supply chain transparency, traceability, human rights, and environmental impact programs, and advocated for circular economy principles.

Yvette Barrs has more than 20 years’ experience in the waste and resource recovery sector, delivering strategic, future-focused solutions across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions. She has led high-performing teams, facilitated complex cross-agency initiatives, and worked closely with industry and government to deliver projects with lasting regional impact. Yvette is recognised for her collaborative approach and strong focus on sustainable outcomes.

Sean brings over 15 years of international experience in the design and implementation of waste management facilities. He has held leadership positions, successfully overseeing large-scale projects throughout Australia and Europe. Sean’s innovative solutions are designed to meet clients’ objectives effectively. Additionally, he is a regular speaker at prominent industry events, where he discusses important issues and solutions related to organic waste management and sustainability.

Michael Bonanno holds a degree in Industrial Chemistry from UNSW and has over 20 years’ experience across the compost and organics sector. His career spans poultry farming, research, petrochemicals, wastewater, and solid waste processing. Michael leads process and product development for Cleanaway’s national organics business, with a strong focus on production improvement and quality outcomes. He is motivated by leaving healthier soils for future generations.

Ben Carr is an environmental professional with more than 30 years’ experience across private consulting, government, and the not-for-profit sector. His expertise includes environmental impact assessment, approvals, natural resource management, biodiversity, and carbon policy. Ben founded Carr Enviro in 2021 after several years with the Victorian EPA, including work on the Environmental Protection Act 2017. He is known for delivering outcomes that protect environmental values while supporting circular economy opportunities.

Brian Dorian, Technical Manager, has 18+ years in environmental engineering and wastewater system design. He specializes in PFAS remediation, industrial water treatment, and analytical method development. With expertise in polymers, specialty chemicals, and regulatory compliance, Brian leads design, construction, and commissioning of PFAS extraction and leachate treatment plants a the Environmental Group. 

Kate Dryden is a Partner at Sphere Infrastructure Partners and a senior leader in water and waste infrastructure with over 20 years’ experience delivering complex, high-value projects. A former Veolia executive, she brings an operator’s lens to commercial strategy, procurement and transaction management, helping clients land clear delivery models, smart risk allocation and bankable outcomes. Kate has led end-to-end procurements for recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives and has advised governments, utilities, and investors across the project lifecycle. She also co-hosts Loopholes, a podcast investigating the breakdowns and breakthroughs in circular systems and infrastructure, and is a former Non-Executive Director of Sydney Water.

Jan is the Head of Biomass and Bioenergy at the REMONDIS International Group, which operates more than 100 organics recycling facilities worldwide. Since joining REMONDIS in 2006, he has held several operations and project‑management roles within the Group’s organics business in Germany, before leading the development of REMONDIS’ organics operations in Australia from 2021 to 2024. Since 2025, he has been responsible for coordinating organics operations globally. Jan is committed to leveraging both local and international expertise to drive growth and innovation in Australia’s organics waste‑management sector.

His passion for anaerobic digestion and composting, combined with a strong commitment to economic feasibility and ecological benefit, drives his work. With this same dedication, he aims to support AORA in advancing a sustainable future for Australia.

Thomas Fox has worked in environmental education for over 15 years, supporting councils, schools, early learning centres, and community groups to adopt sustainable practices. In his role at Repurpose It, he promotes understanding of the circular economy through FOGO resource recovery programs. Thomas is known for his evidence-based engagement approach, which has delivered strong uptake and positive feedback across diverse education and community settings.

Bill Grant is an agricultural and environmental scientist with more than 30 years’ experience in organic resource recovery and compost research. His work focuses on improving soil productivity, depth, and drought resilience through the use of organic soil amendments. Bill advocates for a more holistic understanding of composts and the development of fit-for-purpose products that address specific soil constraints across agricultural systems.

Angus Johnston has over 25 years’ experience in organic waste recovery for composting and energy generation. His career spans private sector consulting, government planning and policy development, project delivery, and not-for-profit work. Angus is passionate about diverting organic waste from landfill and advancing circular economy outcomes. He is the Director of New Resource Solutions and serves on the Board of the Australian Organics Recycling Association.

Dr Sarah King has more than 25 years’ experience across waste, agriculture, water, forestry, IT, and research sectors in Australia and New Zealand. As Business Development Manager at Gaia EnviroTech, she works with organisations seeking value-add solutions for organic waste using in-vessel composting and anaerobic digestion. Sarah is also Principal Consultant at Keystone Impact Consulting and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Swinburne University.

Aurel Lübke has spent most of his professional career in the composting industry. Beginning in equipment supply in 1989, he later shifted into plant design and founded Compost Systems GmbH in 2002. Since then, the company has designed and delivered more than 250 composting and biological waste treatment facilities worldwide. Aurel is widely recognised for his expertise in large-scale organics infrastructure.

Alexandra Morris is a Senior Environmental Scientist at Loop Organics and a strong advocate for the sustainable and beneficial use of waste. She contributes to State and Federal policy feedback and is a member of AORA’s 2026 NSW Committee. At Loop Organics, Alexandra supports operations at a 55,000tpa open windrow composting facility processing food organics, garden organics, and biosolids into quality compost products.

Piya Nyunt is an environmental scientist specialising in waste management and the circular economy. He has extensive experience in strategy and analysis, including national material flow analysis, waste infrastructure planning, and greenhouse gas emissions modelling. Piya is a key analyst at Blue Environment and recently led analysis for the National Waste and Resource Recovery Report 2024.

Eric is the founder of CEMAC Technologies Pty Ltd, and has a degree in Mechanical and Chemical Engineering from the technical university of Aachen in Germany.

Eric gathered extensive experience in project management of turnkey production plants world-wide working for a German engineering company.

In 2003 Eric migrated permanently to Australia. After 14 years supplying European recycling and resource recovery technologies into Australia, he founded CEMAC Technologies in 2017.

CEMAC technologies has fast been established to be a key supplier of world leading recycling equipment solutions.

Martine Poulain is CEO of the Australasian Bioplastics Association, where she leads certification and advocacy for compostable products. She works closely with industry and policymakers to ensure compostable materials support organics recovery systems and soil health. Martine is a strong proponent of collaboration as a driver of circular economy outcomes across Australia and the region.

Stephanie Salinas is Waste to Energy Services Manager at Yarra Valley Water, overseeing the commercial and operational management of two bioenergy facilities, including the ReWaste business. She has six years’ experience with Yarra Valley Water supporting net zero and circular economy goals, and more than 15 years’ experience overall. Stephanie holds qualifications in biological science and a master’s degree in sustainability.

David Schumacher is an environmental planner with over 18 years’ experience across Australia and New Zealand. Since joining SOILCO in 2019, he has led planning compliance and approvals for organics facilities along Australia’s east coast. His expertise includes environmental planning, quality management, reporting, and system improvement. David is known for his pragmatic approach to navigating complex regulatory environments while supporting business growth.

Michele Smith has over a decade of experience delivering behaviour change programs at Brisbane City Council across water, active transport, and waste and recycling. She has led the development and delivery of engagement initiatives that support improved environmental outcomes, with the green bin engagement program being a career highlight.

Dr Attila Tottszer is ALS Environmental’s Australia and New Zealand PFAS Lead, with over 25 years’ experience in analytical laboratory operations and method development. He has played a key role in expanding PFAS testing services nationally and is recognised for his strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement. Attila is a recipient of the Weickhardt Medal and holds a PhD in Chemistry, an MBA, and a Bachelor of Science.

Jessica Wundke leads policy development and reform to support resource recovery and the circular economy in South Australia. Her work spans food and organic waste, single-use plastics, packaging, and events. Jessica led the development of South Australia’s food waste strategy, driving diversion from landfill and increasing productive reuse of organic materials.

Olympia Yarger is Founder and CEO of Goterra, an Australian waste technology company using insect bioconversion to transform organic waste into agricultural products. Founded in 2016, Goterra now operates 21 units across four states, serving major commercial and municipal clients. A former sheep farmer, Olympia was named 2023 ACT Australian of the Year and is a recognised international speaker on circular economy infrastructure and biological solutions.

Dr. Jianhua Zhang is an Associate Professor at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, specializing in water treatment, membrane technologies, and environmental remediation. With a PhD from Victoria University (2011) and degrees in chemical engineering and inorganic chemistry from China, he has secured over $4.18 million in grants since 2019, focusing heavily on remediating PFAS (“forever chemicals”) from soils, biosolids, wastewater, and recycling water using innovative methods like in-situ iron nanoparticles, UV/ozone oxidation, adsorption, and gas fractionation. He is the co-inventor of WO2022109676 with Mr Brian Dorian for PFAS reduction processes and collaborates with partners including EGL Water, South East Water, and CSIRO to deliver practical solutions. Dr. Zhang has published over 112 papers (H-index 43, mostly Q1 journals), mentors PhD and Master’s students, and has been featured in media for his PFAS research contributions to sustainable water management.