2026 Australian Cotton Leadership Program Participants

Emily O’Shannessy, CGS Kununurra, began her career in cotton through her CRDC-funded honours project, which explored increasing potassium uptake in cotton. After university, she joined the Elders Graduate Program in 2021, spending most of her time in the Moree and Narrabri regions with B&W Rural. Working under Peter Birch, Emily advised growers across broadacre, irrigated, and dryland cotton. Her independent placement in Narrabri allowed her to manage several large-scale dryland operations, developing the skills and confidence that led to her current role in Kununurra.

Jason Salvetti is a cotton grower and picking contractor in Far North Queensland. He has grown cotton for three years and recently purchased a cotton picker, allowing him to harvest his own crop as well as other local farms. Jason has worked with Cotton Seed Distributors over the past two seasons, hosting variety trials and field walks on his property, and has also partnered with the DPI on numerous cotton trials. As President of FNQ Sustainable Cropping, he is focused on developing leadership skills to support local growers and promote cotton in the region, with the aim of establishing a CGA in his district.

Angus works in northern agriculture, supporting graziers and growers in developing key crops, including cotton, at Cloncurry. His experience in the cotton industry began in 2016 as a bug checker at Nutrien Ag Solutions Dalby, and after completing his studies in 2018, he joined Nutrien Dalby full-time as an agronomist. By 2019, Angus was managing his own cotton clients, finding the work challenging but rewarding through the season’s efforts. In 2022, he was a finalist in the Chris Lehmann Trust Young Achiever Award, recognising his contribution to the industry.

Bridget’s experience with cotton began on her family farm on the Downs, where cotton was one of the main crops. She studied agronomy at Armidale University, focusing on cotton production, and after graduating returned to the Downs to work as an independent agronomist. After 2.5 years, she moved to Emerald to join AGNVET Rural as an agronomist. Recently appointed secretary of the CHCG&IA, Bridget is keen to develop her leadership skills and sees the Future Leaders Program as an opportunity to grow professionally and personally while supporting her role in the industry.

Alexander works in Dalby as Crop Production Manager and oversees a cotton picking contracting business with the McVeigh family. He began his agricultural career after completing a Diploma of Agriculture at Australia Agriculture College Dalby, where he received a scholarship from Monsanto Australia (Bayer). Alexander has experience across the Darling Downs, Goondiwindi, and Moree regions, operating cotton machinery and managing crops. He was selected as an Australian Young Farming Champion in 2014–2015 and, in 2020, was awarded Rabobank Young Cotton Grower of the Year.

Lauren grew up on her family’s cotton farm on the Darling Downs and has been connected to the industry in various roles, from farm hand to bug checker during university. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, she assisted her parents in leading myBMP implementation and audit preparation on their properties. Lauren has also worked in a corporate role, including advising on the sale of Auscott, providing insight across the cotton supply chain. She is now actively involved in the day-to-day running of the family farm and serves as Secretary on the local CGA committee.

Liam has worked in the cotton industry for over 10 years, progressing from farm hand to farm manager, primarily in irrigated cotton. He is focused on developing his skills and knowledge to manage large-scale farming enterprises successfully and is committed to building his leadership and management capabilities within the cotton industry.

Henry is based in Goondiwindi, Queensland, where he helps run a family farming and contract farming business focused on irrigated cotton. Growing up on a cotton farm instilled in him a passion for the industry and the value of hard work and teamwork. He has been actively involved in the industry for six years through the Macintyre Valley Cotton Growers Association and the Cotton Field Day Committee, where he currently serves as Vice President of both. Henry is committed to supporting the cotton community and promoting a stronger, more connected, and sustainable industry.

Lachie began his cotton industry career in January 2022 as a junior agronomist. He has assisted senior agronomists with both irrigated and dryland cotton and now manages his own dryland cotton clients. Lachie currently serves as Chair of the Walgett Cotton Growers Association, where he feels a responsibility to improve himself so growers and the industry can trust he is the best leader possible for them. He wants to be part of the Future Cotton Leaders program for personal development and to further his knowledge in leadership.

Hugh began his cotton industry experience during university holidays, completing his first irrigating season in Wee Waa in 2017/2018 and continuing for three years. After graduating, he started full-time in 2021, including a short placement at Julia Creek to see cotton development in a new region. He progressed to a manager role in 2023 and became Farm Operations Manager in 2024, developing skills in communication, people management, and task management. Hugh is also involved in industry groups, serving on the Lower Namoi Cotton Growers Association committee.

Georgina joined AFF in February 2022 in a Grower Operations role based in Moree, NSW, and was promoted six months later to Grower Services Representative for the Gwydir region. In 2023, her role expanded to include Grower Services for the Gwydir, Macintyre, and Southern QLD regions, managing two operational sites and their grower bases. In early 2025, Georgina completed the International Cotton Association’s Complete Cotton School in Liverpool, UK, enhancing her technical and commercial knowledge of the global cotton supply chain. In her leadership roles—including Secretary of the Gwydir CGA, membership on the ACSA Sustainability & Traceability Committee, and the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference Committee—she applies and shares insights to support broader industry growth and engagement.

Natalie has worked in the cotton industry for five years, starting as a junior agronomist in Goondiwindi, supporting growers across irrigated and dryland cotton systems. She gained experience in crop monitoring, nutrition, irrigation, pest management, and season planning, and developed strong skills in communication, trust, and practical advice. In 2023, she joined Cotton Seed Distributors as an Extension and Development Agronomist, broadening her experience in research, trials, extension, mentoring, and industry engagement. Natalie is also actively involved in grower groups, serving as Treasurer of the Upper Namoi CGA, managing communications for the Lower Namoi CGA, and previously contributing to the Macintyre Valley Cotton Field Day Committee.

Megan grew up in Narrabri with strong family connections to the cotton industry. She has worked at CRDC for over 11 years, progressing from Project Administration Assistant to Innovation Administration Manager, where she manages a team and oversees CRDC’s grant management system, Fluxx. Megan’s team supports the management of approximately $20 million per year in research, development, and extension projects across the cotton industry. In 2026, she also took on the role of Program Manager for Leadership, overseeing CRDC’s leadership investments, program reviews, and participant selection, while building relationships across the industry.

Jessie has been involved in the cotton industry since 2015, beginning after completing the Memphis Cotton School. She works closely with growers, merchants, and ginners to manage ginning and lint selling negotiations, analyse P&D schedules, and optimise outcomes for clients. Jessie is actively involved in industry committees and grower events, delivering marketing presentations and educational sessions for younger farmers. She also contributes regularly to Cotton Grower magazine, sharing insights and knowledge with the wider industry.

Georgia grew up on her family’s cotton farm near Gunnedah, NSW, and has been immersed in the industry from a young age. After university, she returned to the farm for two years, gaining hands-on experience in sowing, irrigating, spraying, picking, and harvesting. For the past four years, Georgia has worked in Grower Services with Australian Food and Fibre, supporting growers with marketing, pricing, and gin scheduling. She is an active member of the Macquarie Cotton Growers Association and, in mid-2025, completed the American Cotton Shippers Association’s International Cotton Institute, deepening her understanding of global markets and the cotton supply chain.

Sam has been involved in the cotton industry for five years, returning full-time to the family farm in 2020. He is actively engaged in local grower groups and field days and currently serves as Chair of the SVCGA, having previously been Vice Chair. In these roles, Sam represents the valley at Cotton Australia meetings, participates in CRDC research updates, and contributes to community initiatives such as fundraising events. He is also on the 2026 Cotton Conference committee.

Ashley is Brand Relationships Manager at Cotton Australia. She joined the cotton industry in 2022 after a decade in the wool industry and has experience across the cotton and textile supply chains, from processing to finished production. Since joining Cotton Australia, Ashley has focused on deepening her knowledge of cotton production and advocating for natural fibres. She works closely with researchers, ginners, farmers, and product developers, helping farmers understand global developments, including EU legislation, traceability, and supply chain impacts.