The next cohort of dynamic talent selected by Wine Australia for the flagship leadership development program for the coming year has been announced.
The fifteen successful candidates were selected from more than 100 applicants, and this year's cohort reflects the diversity of applications received, with 62 per cent female representation this year.
Dr Martin Cole, Chief Executive Officer at Wine Australia, said the selection panel, comprising six Future Leaders alumnus, including Lee McLean, Chief Executive of Australian Grape & Wine, were impressed by the quality of the applications received.
"It was a highly competitive process and the selection panel all volunteered a significant amount of time to ensure that this cohort was not only the best of the best, but that it reflects the diversity within and the range of roles across our sector.
"The Future Leaders chosen demonstrated exceptional thought leadership to address immediate challenges facing our sector especially around business restructuring, diversification of our export markets, innovation in products, and in sustainability and ESG," said Dr Cole.
Andrew Shedden, Head of Fine Wine at Endeavour Drinks Group, said of his selection: "It's an incredibly exciting opportunity. On a personal level, I've spoken to a number of individuals who have been through this program and they rave about the quality of the people and the outcomes associated with it.
"Professionally, I'm looking forward to spending some solid time with a real cross-section of people from across the wine industry to better understand how I can continue to contribute the growth and success of the Australian wine sector," he said.
Eloise Jarvis, fellow Future Leaders 2023 candidate and Senior Winemaker at Cape Mentelle Vineyards, said: "I hope to come out of the Future Leaders program with increased confidence to fulfill my ambitions of continuing to facilitate the link between national programs and strategies with regional communities at the grass roots level, helping those people and businesses reach their full potential."
The Future Leaders will embark on a tailored six-month program coordinated and funded by Wine Australia, supported by Australian Grape & Wine and delivered with Pragmatic Thinking.
The full list of Future Leaders for 2023 include:
| Amy Blackburn | AVL Wines (Sunraysia) |
| Andrew Duff | Hart & Hunter Wines (Hunter Valley) |
| Andrew Shedden | Endeavour Drinks Group (Melbourne) |
| Belinda van Eyssen | The Cutting (Barossa) |
| Bodhi Edwards | Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (Adelaide) |
| Caitlin Davies | Jericho Wines (Adelaide Hills & McLaren Vale) |
| Eloise Jarvis | Cape Mentelle Vineyards (Margaret River) |
| George Taylor | Treasury Wine Estates (Barossa) |
| Jamie Pike | Pikes Wines (Clare) |
| Katie Spain | Wine journalist and feature writer for Good Food, WBM, and Gourmet Traveller (Adelaide) |
| Kendall Clements-Virag | Pernod Ricard Winemakers (Adelaide & Barossa) |
| Lucy Etheridge | Yarrawalla Vineyards (Yarra Valley) |
| Monica Gray | See Saw Wines (Orange) |
| Ray Ruiming Chen | Endeavour Drinks Group and Rongo Wines (Melbourne & Yarra Valley) |
| Steven Paul | Oakdene Wines (Geelong) |
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