Board of Directors
The AWI Board is committed to adopting corporate governance principles and best practice recommendations in broad terms consistent with the rest of the corporate business community.
Mr Laurie was elected to the Board in November 2015. He was appointed as Chairman of the AWI Board on 30 June 2021 following Ms Garnsey’s resignation as Chairman.
Mr Laurie and his family operate a farming business that consists of wool, lamb, beef and grain on properties at Walcha, Bendemeer and Gunnedah. Mr Laurie has also been actively involved in agricultural policy and lobbying since 2000. He spent four years as President of the NSW Farmers Association and two and a half years as President of the National Farmers Federation. During this period, he gained experience and training in both corporate governance and as a director. Through his role at the National Farmers Federation, he was exposed to international trade negotiations that are very important to the profitability of Australian agriculture. Mr Laurie has long term experience in the agriculture industry, and also ten years of board and agricultural policy experience. He aims to direct his skills at driving profitability in the wool industry.
Special responsibilities:
Audit & Risk Committee
Research Development Education & Extension Committee
People & Culture Committee
Marketing & Product Innovation Committee member
Georgia Hack was elected as a director in 2021.
Georgia Hack has a Masters in Marketing from the Melbourne Business School, and is an accomplished Marketing and business professional.
Georgia has led the marketing function of some of Australia’s leading retail and consumer products brands. Her earlier roles included marketing and communications responsibilities at well known Australian brands including Witchery, Sussan and Mimco.
From 2018 – 2023, Georgia oversaw the marketing function for Australia’s premium department store David Jones. Georgia built brand equity with a focus on premium positioning, navigated the consumer shift towards digital, and reimagined the in store experience.
In March 2023, Georgia joined L'Oreal Australia & New Zealand as Chief Digital & Marketing Officer overseeing Consumer Insights & Analytics, CRM / Loyalty, Customer Experience, E-Commerce, Media and Advocacy / Social Engagement.
She brings expertise across disciplines including branding, marketing strategy, digital and media, public relations, creative and content, as well as customer research and insights, segmentation and loyalty. She has a global network of retail, fashion, beauty industry contacts which can assist her in advising on international issues.
Special responsibilities:
Chair - Marketing & Product Innovation
People & Culture Committee member
Dr Humphries BVSc MAICD was elected to the AWI Board in November 2019.
Dr Humphries is a highly respected sheep veterinarian with more than 35 years' experience in the Merino industry. She sits on a range of expert advisory committees and boards and operates a commercial Merino enterprise in the Riverina region of NSW.
Dr Humphries owns and operates Livestock Breeding Services Pty Ltd, a sheep reproduction technology company with facilities at Jerilderie and Yass (NSW) and services clients across all wool-growing regions of Australia.
Dr Humphries is a wool industry representative on Animal Health Australia’s Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases and sits on the Wool Producers Australia Health and Welfare Committee. She has held previous roles as non-executive director of MerinoLink Ltd and Murray Local Land Services, executive committee member of Sheep, Camelid and Goat Veterinarians (Australian Veterinary Association), member of Australian Veterinary Association Policy Advisory Council, and member of DAFF Ruminant Genetics Trade Advisory Group.
She has completed further studies in Finance, Emergency Animal Diseases, Wool Science & Processing, and the AICD Company Directors Course.
Special responsibilities:
Chair, Research and Development Committee
Audit & Risk Committee member
Neil Jackson was elected to the Board in November 2023.
Neil is a third-generation farmer with 38 years hands-on experience. He currently runs his operation, Sunny Valley Farms which is now one of the larger family-owned wool farms in the Great Southern of Western Australia. He previously served as President of Stud Merino Breeders’ Association of WA, and also served on a variety of industry bodies including Industry Management Committee for the application of the Biosecurity in Agriculture Management Act, Chair of World Merino Conference 2006 and Ovine Johnes Disease Management Committee WA. Neil brings to the AWI Board, a depth of knowledge of the wool industry, its opportunities and challenges.
Special responsibilities:
Research & Development Committee member
Don Macdonald was elected to the Board in November 2017.
Don Macdonald has been involved in the wool industry since 1975 as a wool classer, shearer, wool broker and grower. He has extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of wool production, harvesting, marketing and logistics. As Managing Director of Macdonald & Co Woolbrokers in Dubbo, NSW, he has developed strong business skills and enduring relationships with the grower sector and the downstream exporting and processing sector. He has farming interests at Brewarrina, where he also operates a CRT outlet and Molong in NSW. Mr Macdonald has served as a Director on AWEX, Chairman of the Inland Wool Brokers Association, member of Industry Service Advisory Committee and member of NSW Farmers Wool Committee.
Special responsibilities:
Research Development Education & Extension Committee
Chair – People & Culture Committee
George Millington was elected to the Board in November 2023.
George is the owner and managing director of Collinsville Stud Merinos, where he led the acquisition and integration of the Merino studs of Collinsville and East Bungaree. He is also a director and majority shareholder of APD Parcel Delivery, a logistics company he acquired in 2012. George has a Bachelor of Economics and has worked extensively in the finance industry and has widespread experience in corporate governance and expanding businesses. Through his lived experience, George recognises the many challenges faced by woolgrowers across the country and works towards the goal of elevating the market value of wool and ensuring a sustainable industry for future generations.
Special responsibilities:
Audit and Risk Committee (Chair)
Marketing & Product Innovation Committee member
Emma Weston was elected to the Board in November 2023.
Emma Weston is the CEO and a Co Founder of AgriDigital. She holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management, a Bachelor of Laws, awarded with Honours, and a Bachelor of Arts. She is a trained executive coach, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Emma lives and works from her family's mixed farming enterprise in Warren, New South Wales.
Special responsibilities:
Audit & Risk Committee member
