Fifteen emerging leaders have graduated from Future Leaders, the flagship professional development program available to Australia’s grape and wine sector, bringing the total number who have enhanced their careers through the initiative to 164.
Funded by Wine Australia and supported by Australian Grape & Wine, the bi-annual program focuses on fostering mid-career professionals to meet the sector’s evolving needs and challenges.
“The calibre of this year’s cohort speaks volumes about the depth of talent and drive across our sector,” says Martin Cole, CEO of Wine Australia. “Navigating the complexities of the current environment, from climate pressures to market changes, requires bold thinking and genuine, collaborative leadership.”
According to Australian Grape & Wine CEO Lee McLean, the Class of 2025 brought fresh perspectives, collaboration and the right mindset to lead through change.
“Investing in our emerging leaders is central to securing a sustainable, resilient future for Australian wine,” he adds.
Since its inception in 2006, Future Leaders has built an impressive network of more than 150 alumni who continue to influence and make valuable contributions to the Australian grape and wine industry.
As part of the 2025 program, all 15 students were required to author thought leadership articles addressing key challenges such as workforce development, sales and marketing, customers, and sustainability.
One of these 15 alumni was Shaw & Smith’s Direct to Consumer and eCommerce Manager Lachlan Aird.
“While this current Future Leaders program might be coming to a formal conclusion, in other ways it feels like just the beginning,” he said.
“Not only will the new skills we’ve acquired throughout the course help us navigate future leadership challenges, but our cohort will also keep the conversations, connections and sense of community going well beyond 2025.”
Another Class of 2025 graduate was Marianne Duluk, Manager of Food and Wine Exports with SA Department of State Development, who adds: “The tools and strategic models matter, but the connections and friendships forged matter even more and have been a driving force in the cohort in how we think about change and leading our industry forward.”
The full 15 graduates from Future Leaders 2025 are as follows:
Lachlan Aird, Shaw + Smith (Adelaide Hills)Nick Baverstock, Treasury Wine Estates (Coonawarra)Emma Brown, Brown Family Wine GroupMatt Duggan, Domaine Chandon Australia (Yarra Valley)Nick Dugmore, STOKE Wines (Kangaroo Island)Marianne Duluk, SA Department of State DevelopmentBrendan Hawker, Yering Station (Yarra Valley)Callie Jemmeson, PachaMama/Joval Family WinesMadeleine Marson, Vinea Marson (Heathcote)Chris Mein, Longview Vineyard (Adelaide Hills)Daniel Mortimer, Mortimers Wines (Orange)Nicola Reid, The Real ReviewAndi Roberts-Davison, Melbourne PolytechnicAshleigh Seymour, BHF TechnologiesTash Stoodley, Savvy
“Every single one of these leaders have embraced the challenges in this program with their whole heart and their connection as a group is unparalleled,” said Alison Hill from Pragmatic Thinking, the program’s provider.
“This industry is in great hands with these Future Leaders driving change.”
The Wine Australia, Australian Grape & Wine and Pragmatic Thinking Future Leaders professional development program has been named as a finalist for Best Education & Transmission at the international Vinexposium V d’Or Business Awards, which recognise the most impactful and responsible initiatives in the global wine and spirits industry.
The winner, along with the results from the rest of the category awards, will be announced in Paris on 8 February.
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