AVS People

Chief Executive Officer

Michelle Goldsmith

As CEO of AVS, Michelle brings extensive experience in innovation, commercialisation and leadership across the agricultural and life sciences sectors.

Michelle leads the AVS team and their endeavours to transform agricultural research into commercial and industry‑ready outcomes, supporting productivity, sustainability and long‑term impact for farmers and the broader sector. Alongside the skill-based AVS Board, she is responsible for setting strategic direction and working closely with research, industry and government partners to turn capability into real‑world value.

Before joining AVS, Michelle held senior executive roles at Strategic Project Partners, Global Kinetics and The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, building deep expertise in strategy, technology transfer and intellectual property. With a strong background in biotechnology and IP, she is a recognised expert in research commercialisation and government–industry collaboration, and has worked with multiple venture‑backed companies. Michelle is an experienced Non-executive Director within Government and corporate environments.

Jane Banovac

Commercialisation Lead

Jane leads AVS’s commercialisation and investment activity across the Grains and Biologicals portfolio, with responsibility for shaping portfolio direction and developing investment and commercialisation opportunities to drive delivery of impactful outcomes for industry.

In this role, she works across investment design, partnerships, intellectual property and portfolio oversight, working closely with researchers, industry partners and government stakeholders to progress initiatives from concept through to delivery.

Jane brings 30 years of experience in the agricultural sector including roles spanning research commercialisation, agribusiness, product development and emerging industry R&D. Her background strengthens AVS’s investment, commercialisation and partnership capability and supports innovation and translation in the Grains and Biologicals portfolios.

Natasha Twigg

Head of Corporate Services

Natasha leads AVS’s Corporate Services functions, providing oversight of finance, legal, operations and organisational systems that enable delivery of the company’s strategic objectives. She plays a key role in ensuring AVS operates efficiently, with strong governance, robust processes and the capability to support growth and impact.

Natasha brings more than 20 years of experience across the Victorian Government, with a strong track record in operational leadership, investment management and the delivery of complex initiatives at the interface of government and industry. She has led large-scale programs, managed significant public investment, and built streamlined systems and processes to support investment attraction, innovation and business engagement.

At AVS, Natasha has been instrumental in strengthening operations and supporting strategic delivery, working closely with investment and corporate teams to improve business processes and organisational performance. Her leadership of Corporate Services ensures the foundations are in place for AVS to deliver high-quality outcomes for partners, industry and government.

Rocco Iannello

Commercialisation Lead

Rocco leads AVS’s investment and portfolio activity across the Horticulture and Dairy portfolios, with responsibility for shaping portfolio direction, developing investment opportunities and supporting delivery of industry‑relevant outcomes. In this role, he works across investment design, partnerships and portfolio oversight.

At AVS, Rocco works closely with researchers, industry partners and government stakeholders to progress initiatives from concept through to delivery. He brings a strong understanding of how research capability, collaboration and commercial pathways interact to support adoption across the value chain.

Rocco draws on more than 30 years of experience working across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and digital health, including roles spanning commercialisation, licensing, venture creation, strategic partnerships and intellectual property development. His background strengthens AVS’s investment capability and supports informed, practical decision‑making across the horticulture and dairy portfolios.

Kieran Jina

Head of Investment

Kieran leads AVS’s investment activity, with responsibility for assessing and allocating capital to agricultural innovation opportunities to deliver economic, environmental and industry outcomes.

In this role, Kieran evaluates investment proposals developed by the commercialisation team, applying due diligence and challenging assumptions. He allocates capital across the portfolio, actively balancing investments to optimise impact and financial returns.

Kieran brings more than 13 years’ experience as a venture investor, operator and director across agtech, biotech and deeptech sectors. He was previously Managing Partner at Pacific Channel, where he led investment activity across more than 40 companies and worked across the full lifecycle of IP-based businesses, from research grant through to exit. He has raised and deployed institutional capital and held executive roles including Chief Operating Officer of Engender Technologies through to acquisition by a global corporate.

Ben Thomson

Senior Commercialisation Manager

Ben is AVS’ Senior Commercialisation Manager for the grains portfolio, responsible for translating research outputs into commercial outcomes through licensing, IP management and investment project delivery. His work spans the full commercial life-cycle, from IP identification through to market delivery.

Ben brings a practical, deal-focused approach, with particular expertise in IP strategy, licensing negotiation and research contract management. At AVS, he manages a portfolio of active commercial agreements across the grains sector, working closely with partners in both domestic and international markets.

Before joining AVS, Ben spent more than a decade in senior commercialisation and IP strategy roles within the Department of Defence. There, he led technology transfer initiatives, established governance frameworks for science translation, and managed high-value research contracting programs. He brings this experience in complex, IP-sensitive environments to AVS’ grains commercialisation strategy.

Enrico Tronchin

Senior Business Development Manager - AgTech Translation

Enrico joined AVS as a Senior Business Development Manager in September 2023.

Enrico is responsible for leading the delivery of AVS’ core commercialisation objectives and functions to maximise the global impact and commercial value of AVR innovation through effective collaborations and business models.

Enrico has experience in building business functions, leading multidisciplinary teams, and managing large innovation project pipelines. Previously he managed IP commercialisation at Auckland University of Technology and redesigned the Newmarket Innovation Precinct at the University of Auckland. At the SfTI National Science Challenge he facilitated the commercialisation development of over 100 science investments across NZ

Kate Dawson

Senior Business Development Manager – AgTech Collaboration

Kate was appointed Senior Business Development Manager – AgTech Collaboration in May 2023.

Kate is responsible for leading major AgTech research and innovation opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations to deliver impact technologies that provide better environmental, economic, and societal outcomes.

With a background working across the grains, dairy, horticulture, animal health and nutrition industries in both Australia and overseas, Kate is highly experienced in leading the business development, technology transfer and commercialisation of new or novel products, services and technologies.

Dr Kemperly Dynon

Senior Commercialisation Manager

Kemperly was appointed as  Senior Commercialisation Manager in 2024, having joined AVS in 2019.

Kemperly is responsible for providing critical expertise in technology valuation modelling, commercialisation, IP protection and commercial R&D collaborations.

Having completed her PhD in Veterinary Science (Veterinary Virology) at The University of Melbourne, her MBA at La Trobe University and worked in the gene technology space managing contracts relating to OGTR regulation in plants, animals and microorganisms, Kemperly brings significant knowledge and experience to AVS in research, analysis and evaluations in current and future markets for AVS technology commercialisation.

Rae Bacon-Rowe

Intellectual Property Officer

Rae was appointed as  Intellectual Property Officer in December 2019.

Rae assists the Senior Intellectual Property (IP) Manager with the management of AVS' IP portfolio including patents, Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR) and trademark registrations and management, including supporting the design and delivery of IP administrative processes and systems, assisting the entire AVS team in managing and maintaining IP protection, obligations and general administrative and project tasks relating to AVS’ IP portfolio operations.

Jasmine Aquilina-Borg

Executive Assistant and Office Manager

Jasmine provides executive and operational support across AVS, working closely with the CEO and leadership team to support the day‑to‑day running of the organisation.

At AVS, she works across executive coordination, contract management, HR support and internal operations. Her role includes supporting the administration of commercial agreements, project delivery, team coordination, and the planning of key meetings and events, contributing to the effective delivery of core organisational activities. She also supports board operations, including board administration and governance processes, helping ensure AVS remains a well‑organised and responsive team.

Helen Liu

Senior Accountant

Helen was appointed as Senior Accountant in January 2012.

Helen is responsible for financial and management reporting for the Board, Committees and DEECA-AVR.   Helen also assists the Chief Financial Officer with financial planning, financial management and risk management.   She also has extensive and broad experience in statutory compliances, consolidated financial reports and financial planning.

In Chyi Lee

Senior Accountant

In Chyi was appointed by AVS as Senior Accountant in 2024 after having joined AVS in 2022

In Chyi has extensive experience in financial management and advisory services and supports AVS finance operations in ensuring company compliance with related regulatory requirements.

She provides management reporting, financial planning, and audit compliance assistance for ensuring the company's financial stability, as well as offers strategic solutions for sustained financial growth

Katie Macwhirter

Senior Project Officer