NAC Institute Board
Dr Karen Abbey
Chief Executive Officer
Director
B Sc. Hon Human Nutrition UNE
Grad Dip Nutr & Diet Masters Health Science Management QUT
PhD University of Queensland
Cert IV Training and Assessment
Cert III Commercial Cookery
Foodservices has played a central role in Karen career, working across the sector in consulting, management and teaching. Karen has a passion for foodservice science and translating it into practical solutions for foodservices. All of the parts of this website illustrate Karen's passion for foodservices and the NACI is bring the very best of foodservice science together.
Professor Sandra Capra AM
Chairperson
BSc(Hons) University of Sydney
DipNutr&Diet University of Sydney
MSocSc University of Birmingham
PhD University of Queensland
Fellow, Dietitians Australia
Fellow, Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences
My professional career started with 15 years in practice as a clinical dietitian, manager and in charge of nutrition and food services in Australia and New Zealand. I then ventured into a second highly respected academic career at QUT, the University of Newcastle and at the University of Queensland. In 2003 I had the honour of being appointed a Member, Order of Australia, for my contribution to nutrition and dietetics and community health. I am an experienced Director, serving three terms as President of the Dietitians Australia, and was President of the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations from 2004-2016. I have also served as one of three Independent Directors of Health Workforce Australia, 2010-2014 and on the NHMRC committees which developed the nutrient reference values for Australia released in 2006 and the Australian Dietary Guidelines released in 2013. In 2014 I was named one of the 100 Financial Review/Westpac most influential women in Australia. I have supervised more than 25 doctoral students including three in foodservice and am regularly invited to speak at local, national and international events. In 2019 I was appointed Emeritus Professor at the University of Queensland.
Associate Professor Wendy Gilleard
Director
Company Directors Course
Graduate Certificate in Higher Education
Doctor of Philosophy
Masers of Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Applied Science
As a business orientated and collaborative executive, I have substantial experience in research, monitoring, evaluation and assessing impact. I am very interested in supporting sustainable, innovative change based in research, monitoring and evaluation of the impacts of services.
My experience to date has been mainly centred in the Australian Higher Education sector. As a Deputy Dean of a regional multicampus, multidiscipline health school it was very important that we utilised sustainable, innovative reform and developmental approaches. Monitoring, quality review using multiple data sources, and engagement with the stakeholders ensured lessons learnt in one health discipline were used to support and develop others. Thus, expansion with continuous improvement was always grounded in evidence, nurtured and grew sustainably.
I have strengths in Governance frameworks and processes, performance monitoring and review, and liaison with professional, government and other stakeholders. I am looking to utilize my skills in governance, monitoring and review, sustainable strategy development, and associated compliance.
Dr Angeline Achariya
Company Secretary
Bachelor of Science (Honours)Food Technology Vic Uni 1996
PhD University of Melbourne 2003
Grad Cert Food Business Management Monash Uni 2008
Gradte (GAICD) AICD 2015
Angeline, a global luminary in industry and commercialising innovations, currently leads as the CEO of Innovation GameChangers and Australian Chair of AgriFood Innovation. Steering initiatives like G100: Mission Million and advising at Beanstalk AgTech, she epitomizes transformative leadership. With over 25 years’ experience in multinational giants such as J R Simplot, Mondelez International, Yum Brands, Fonterra and Mars Corporation, Angeline’s impact is profound.
Having commercialised 1200+ innovations globally across sectors like Agribusiness, FMCG, Foodservice, E-commerce, she is a trailblazer. Rooted in her agricultural upbringing, Angeline champions a sustainable agrifood system. Her mentorship extends to startups, SMEs, and individuals, nurturing, and scaling innovations to market. Beyond boardrooms, Angeline is an internationally recognised speaker, shaping discussions on resilient agrifood innovation, the future of food, and Australian exports. Her commitment to creating value-added products resonates with consumer needs, making her a force for positive change. Angeline’s journey is an inspiration – a testament to the transformative power of collaborative passion and dedication to a connected, sustainable world.
Louise Williams
Director
Bachelor of Education James Cook University
Bachelor of Psychology James Cook University
Masters of Organisational Psychology University of Queensland
A Brand Identity Photographer, Confidence + Mindset Coach & Brand Strategist.
Once a Psychologist in a former life, I now empower emerging & established leaders, trailblazers, and kick-ass over-achievers to accelerate their personal brand positioning & dial-up their visibility.
I blend photographic storytelling with identity psychology & archetypes. Using my skills to support brand development, social media and raising the profile of organisations. The NACi provides a new and exciting opportunity to support wellness and wellbeing.
David Fisher
Director
MAICD, GIA, AFAIM, BCompt(Hons)(SA)
A commercially astute, high calibre, and visionary leader bringing over 38 years of work experience in achieving operational and strategic organization, financial sustainability, and optimization, across a diverse range of industries, in both, not-for-profit and commercial organizations
John Murray
Director
MSc (Food Science), MBA, Graduate AICD
John has been a Director, General Manager, with over twelve years board level experience across the public and private sectors with particular experience in the logistics & supply chain, FMCG and Government. Recently in an executive capacity John was Director Food and Agribusiness at the Department of Industry Innovation and Science. Where he provided advice to Food and Agribusiness Business on business improvement and growth opportunities
Managing Business Turnaround, Developing Business Strategy and Implementation, Implementing Change Management, Managing End to End Supply Chain, Leading Mergers Acquisitions and Divestments, Innovation Systems, Managing Risk Management and Governance, Project Management.
NAC Institute Advisors
NACi Supporters
