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Originally from a sheep and cattle property near Cunnamulla in far SW Queensland, Jo has worked across a number of industries from agriculture, small business and local government to education, communications and the NFP sector developing skills in both public and private sectors.

Jo previously operated her own business for 10 years delivering Vocational Education and Training to the agricultural industry partnering with RTO’s across Queensland and NSW.

Formerly an elected councillor for 12 years including Mayor for 4 years with the Paroo Shire Council, Jo has a sound understanding of regional and remote Queensland and extensive experience in economic development and advocacy.

Other roles have included CEO with the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, and Director – Stakeholder Engagement with the University of Southern Queensland, Jo is now CEO with the Queensland Farmers Federation. QFF is Queensland’s peak agricultural representative body, working collaboratively with its peak body members to progress issues and challenges facing farmers across the State. Collectively, QFF through its peak body members represent over 13,000 Queensland farmers.

Jo holds a Bachelor of Business (University of Sydney), a Diploma in Executive Leadership (Oxford University), a Certificate in Sustainable Investing (Harvard Business School), is an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and has held a number of board and advisory roles including previously Commissioner with the Queensland Local Government Grants Commission, Director with Sunwater, and Chair of Eco-Markets Australia. Jo is currently a director with the Clean Energy Regulator.

Jo is a strong advocate for the agricultural sector and has a special place in her heart for regional and remote Queensland.

Adam Knapp is QFF’s General Manager for Policy and Projects, leading the strategic development and delivery of policy initiatives that strengthen Queensland’s agricultural sector.

With more than 25 years’ experience across government, industry and research, Adam combines critical analysis, policy expertise and stakeholder engagement to address complex issues in sustainable agriculture, biosecurity, water management, climate change and natural resource management. He provides high-level policy advice to QFF’s CEO, Board and members, and oversees a diverse portfolio of projects and staff working across Queensland.

Adam’s work includes driving legislative submissions, shaping QFF’s advocacy priorities, and building partnerships that deliver practical, future-focused solutions for farmers and rural communities. Prior to joining QFF, he held roles with the National Native Title Tribunal, Seafood Services Australia, Harrods and Ernst & Young in London.

Adam holds qualifications in behavioural science, political science and leadership.

Dr Alicia Kennedy is QFF’s General Manager for Water and Energy, leading strategic initiatives that enhance the affordability, security and sustainability of water and energy for Queensland agriculture.

With more than 20 years’ professional experience, Alicia has worked across land and water research, government policy, community engagement, industry leadership and advocacy. She is passionate about collaborating with industries, research organisations, governments and communities to identify practical, evidence-based solutions to complex challenges.

Alicia oversees QFF’s member services and industry representation across both water and energy portfolios, engaging with state and national stakeholders to address system inefficiencies, support innovation, and drive improved outcomes for farmers and rural communities.

Rebecca Donohoe is QFF’s Chief Operating Officer managing strategic operations and governance, as well as special projects. She also serves as Executive Officer of Agritourism Queensland, the state’s peak body for farmer-led agritourism, guiding its establishment and growth to strengthen connections between agriculture and tourism across regional communities.

With over a decade at QFF and a strong 20-year background prior to that in executive leadership, administration, and stakeholder engagement, Rebecca brings extensive experience across industry associations, education and community services. 

Rebecca is passionate about advancing sustainable growth for Queensland agriculture through collaboration, innovation and regional development.

Siobán is QFF’s Administration Officer, providing high-level administrative and operational support across the organisation. With more than 20 years’ experience spanning administration, operations, project coordination and marketing, she brings exceptional organisational skills and a calm, solutions-focused approach to her role.

Prior to joining QFF, Siobán held senior administration and operations roles across a range of sectors including health, tourism, finance and investment management. Her experience includes coordinating complex logistics and schedules, supporting senior executives, managing stakeholder relationships, and developing and embedding efficient business processes.

Siobán previously worked with St John Ambulance Queensland, supporting the delivery of mobile ophthalmic services to remote and vulnerable communities, and spent more than a decade with Apollo Motorhome Holidays in senior operations coordination roles. She has also supported executive leadership teams within the investment and financial services sectors.

Siobán holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and is known for her adaptability, attention to detail and commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality outcomes in fast-paced environments.

Jo Martin is QFF’s Water Policy Advisor, leading policy development, analysis, and advocacy across Queensland’s water sector. She works closely with industry, government, and technical experts to promote fair, efficient and sustainable water management frameworks that support the long-term productivity and resilience of Queensland’s farming businesses. 

With experience spanning water planning, regulation, and strategy, Jo provides clear, evidence-based advice to inform QFF’s policy positions and submissions. Her work focuses on ensuring farmers have access to secure, reliable and affordable water resources, while navigating emerging issues such as climate variability, metering and measurement reforms, and infrastructure investment. 

Jo is committed to building constructive relationships that bring together producers, peak bodies, and government agencies, helping shape practical policy solutions that reflect on-farm realities. 

Stephanie McKechnie is QFF’s Energy Engagement and Education Advisor, working with state and national peak agricultural bodies, the energy sector and government to support policy and project development relating to Queensland’s renewable energy transition.

Supported by Powerlink, Stephanie’s role provides a vital connection between the energy sector and QFF’s 18 peak body members, representing more than 13,000 primary producers across the state. She works closely with members to identify and leverage opportunities arising from renewable energy, while helping to mitigate risks and ensure positive outcomes for agriculture and regional communities.

With extensive experience across leadership, project design and delivery, change management, corporate communications and strategic planning, Stephanie brings a people-focused, solutions-driven approach to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing and Public Relations) from QUT, Prosci Certification in Change Management, and qualifications in Implementing Innovation and Continuous Improvement from the Australian Institute of Management.

Contact
Email: Stephanie McKechnie • Phone: 07 3837 4739

Andrew Chamberlin is QFF’s Project Manager for Energy, overseeing the federation’s energy project portfolio and delivering initiatives that support Queensland farmers to improve efficiency, sustainability and resilience.

With a background in environmental science and town planning, Andrew brings extensive experience across sustainability, property, and agriculture. Over the past decade, he has managed numerous strategic energy projects in collaboration with QFF’s member organisations, the Queensland Government, Ergon Energy and other industry partners.

Andrew has coordinated more than 400 on-farm energy audits, developed case studies and resources for the Queensland Ag Energy Hub, and served as project manager and lead author of the Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit. His work also includes pioneering projects such as the QLD-NSW virtual microgrid pilot, tariff attitude surveys, and agtech trials focused on real-time metering and energy innovation.

Driven by a passion for sustainability and community, Andrew helps ensure Queensland agriculture remains at the forefront of Australia’s energy transition.

Jonathan Mendez Gonzalez is QFF’s Energy Project Engineer, specialising in energy efficiency, sustainability and decarbonisation across Queensland agriculture.

A Mechanical Engineer with a Master’s in Sustainable Energy, Jonathan brings more than a decade of experience across the energy sector, including oil and gas, solar PV, biogas and hydrogen technologies. He combines strong technical expertise with practical on-farm implementation, ensuring energy projects deliver measurable results for producers and communities.

Since joining QFF, Jonathan has led the delivery of on-farm energy and water efficiency initiatives, partnering with utilities, industry and farmers to identify savings, improve reliability and support the energy transition. His work has helped Queensland farms achieve significant cost and emissions reductions while building resilience to future energy challenges.

Jonathan holds Green Belt Six Sigma certification and is a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ). He continues to play a key role in advancing QFF’s energy and sustainability programs.

Adam Curcio is QFF’s Project Manager for Workforce and Skills, leading initiatives that strengthen Queensland’s agricultural workforce through strategic planning, capability building and digital innovation.

With more than 25 years’ experience across agriculture, natural resources, civil construction and finance, Adam brings a systems-thinking approach to program design and workforce transformation. 

He has managed major projects across sectors and most recently led the Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance and delivered workforce capability, supervisor training and digital ag-tech initiatives in collaboration with industry, government and training providers.

Adam’s work focuses on building regional resilience, embedding future skills, and creating meaningful career pathways across Queensland’s food and fibre industries. 

Eloise Cosgrove is QFF’s Project Manager for Graduate Programs, supporting pathways that connect early-career professionals with opportunities across Queensland agriculture.

Having grown up on a mixed broadacre cropping and livestock operation between Dalby and Cecil Plains, Eloise developed a strong foundation and lifelong appreciation for farming. She went on to complete a Diploma of Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham College and gained diverse experience across Queensland, the Northern Territory and abroad, spanning broadacre cropping, grazing, dairy, lot feeding and agri-finance.

Since joining QFF, Eloise has contributed to projects within the Risk, Recovery and Resilience portfolio, including the Farm Business Resilience Program and the Industry Recovery and Resilience Officer initiative. Her work focuses on helping producers identify risks, build adaptive strategies and strengthen the long-term viability of their farm businesses.

Eloise is passionate about connecting people, sharing knowledge and supporting a resilient and future-focused agricultural workforce.

Contact:
Email: Eloise Cosgrove • Phone: 07 3837 4700

Julia brings a vibrant mix of education and real-world industry insight to her work, grounded in a Bachelor of Arts in Law, International Relations and Human Rights, alongside ongoing studies in agricultural marketing and project management in agriculture. This strong academic foundation fuels her confidence in communicating clearly, navigating diverse stakeholders, and designing training that truly lands with producers. In her role as a SmartAg Project Manager, she brings energy and enthusiasm to identifying skill needs and delivering training across the four pillars of production, business, technology and safety—working with growers and industry partners to help build a stronger, smarter and more future-ready agricultural workforce.

Born and raised in South Africa, Julia carries a lifelong passion for agriculture and the people who make it thrive. Since moving to Australia in 2014, she’s immersed herself in the horticulture sector—from hands-on quality assurance and dispatch to managing sales portfolios with major fresh produce businesses. Her time with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation further strengthened her industry impact across all sectors in agriculture, where she helped deliver more than 100 flood management plans and co-delivered crisis communication training across the state.  Julia is committed to empowering producers, strengthening skills and championing a resilient and innovative Queensland agriculture sector.

Kym Wessling is an Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor (ISJA) for agriculture and horticulture, playing a critical role in advocating for industry workforce needs across Queensland. She works closely with employers, small businesses, training providers, and industry stakeholders to provide evidence-based insights that guide training priorities, strengthen workforce pathways, and inform national vocational education and training (VET) reforms.

With more than 25 years of experience in government, including ten years working directly with the agriculture sector, Kym brings a strong understanding of workforce planning, skills development, and business resilience. Her work supports industry in navigating change, responding to labour market pressures, and capitalising on emerging opportunities for growth.

Kym specialises in translating labour market data and workforce intelligence into practical, industry-led solutions. Her experience in vocational education, project management, and stakeholder engagement enables her to build strong connections between industry, government, and training providers.

Collaboration sits at the centre of Kym’s approach. She believes meaningful innovation is driven by diverse perspectives, underpinned by mutual respect, shared responsibility, and open, honest communication.

Kym’s role is delivered through the Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor Program, supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

Jake Moore is an Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor (ISJA) for agriculture and horticulture at QFF, working alongside Kym Wessling to support industry-led approaches to workforce development across Queensland. His role focuses on helping employers, small businesses, training providers and industry stakeholders navigate skills and workforce challenges through evidence-based insights that inform training priorities, strengthen workforce pathways and contribute to national vocational education and training (VET) reforms.

Jake brings valuable agricultural extension experience, focussing on irrigation automation projects. This experience has given him a strong understanding of the day-to-day realities faced by producers and the complex decisions required to achieve successful outcomes season after season.

Driven by a passion for efficiency and practical solutions, Jake applies his scientific background to ensure modern workforce and training approaches are grounded in traditional farming practices. New to the skills and training sector, he is motivated to help shape a sustainable and resilient agricultural workforce for the future.

Jake’s role is delivered through the Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor Program, supported and funded by the Queensland Government.