Meet the Berries Australia team
Here is the team of talented individuals who have been brought together to deliver the Industry Development and Communications project for the berry industries in Australia as a service delivery partner to Hort Innovation.
CONTACT US
1300 201 713 | PO Box 578, Archerfield, Qld 4108
Berries Australia Team Members
Rachel Mackenzie
Rachel Mackenzie is the Chief Executive Officer of Berries Australia, bringing over two decades of leadership and advocacy experience in the horticulture industry. Known for her deep commitment to sustainable agriculture, Rachel has been instrumental in shaping policies that support growers, promote innovation, and strengthen the Australian berry industry.
With expertise in industry advocacy, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, Rachel has successfully driven initiatives addressing key challenges, including biosecurity, workforce sustainability, and market access. She works closely with growers, researchers, and government bodies to ensure the industry remains competitive and forward-focused.
Rachel’s leadership extends beyond policy; she is a passionate communicator, regularly engaging with growers through workshops, field days, and conferences to share knowledge and build community. Her vision for a vibrant, resilient berry industry underpins her work, as she continues to champion growers and foster growth in one of Australia’s most dynamic agricultural sectors.
Jen Rowling
Originally from Cairns, Jen started her career in the non-profit sector with Care Australia in Cambodia for 18 months. It was an eye-opening experience to understand how other cultures and countries tackle daily life.
Returning to Queensland with a new appreciation for the privileged lives we lead in Australia, Jen continued her career with another incredibly worthwhile cause - the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. She spent fifteen years working for a range of cause-related organisations doing her bit to make the world a much better place.
After a two year break to start a family, Jen & her partner made a move to the Sunshine Coast where she discovered the joys of horticulture as the Industry Development Officer for Queensland Strawberries.
Jen was the face of the 2018 industry crisis and has gone on to work in the aftermath, with Strawberries Australia, to make the industry stronger and more resilient.
As the Projects Manager for Berries Australia, Jen now has the ability to make an impact nationally across all the berry industries.
Dr Angela Atkinson
Angela was born in Melbourne and has spent much of her life around the Victorian capital city except for two interesting escapades; firstly, her father took the whole family on a change-of-life journey to the Darling Downs in Queensland to be cattle farmers for five years when she was a small child, and secondly, Angela spent a few years as a ‘trailing spouse’ following her husband’s career which took them to Singapore and Hong Kong.
Angela was teaching Horticulture at TAFE in Melbourne when someone suggested she apply for the Strawberry Industry Development role in Victoria. Despite her lengthy career, this was actually Angela’s first job interview ever and, luckily for us, she got the job and has held the position for the past 13 years.
In August 2024, she moved into the newly created role of R&D and Biosecurity Manager with Berries Australia.
Jane Richter
Jane is an independent consultant working in the horticulture industry. After a long professional career in FMCG marketing both here and in the UK, Jane and her husband made a tree change and became horticulture farmers in 2014.
Within a few short years, she found herself leading the competitive pitch for the industry communication project on behalf of her fellow growers and she has been heavily involved in horticulture ever since, both as a communicator and a marketing consultant.
As a former grower herself, Jane is passionate about ensuring that the statutory levy money invested by Hort Innovation on behalf of industries achieves the best possible outcomes and delivers real value for money.
Jenny Van de Meeberg
Jenny Van de Meeberg is the Principal Consultant at VDM Partners, an independent consultancy based in Canberra providing international trade services in the field of market access, market entry and market development for industry.
Jenny has extensive experience in the field of international trade having spent over 10 years in senior roles with Trade & Investment Queensland (TIQ), Austrade and more recently Hort Innovation.
Jesse White
Jesse White is a seasoned professional specialising in Horticulture international trade, market entry, and business development, with expertise in China and Southeast Asia. Fluent in Mandarin and having spent time living and working in China, Jesse has an extensive industry network and has invaluable on-the-ground experience. His career includes leading market access projects at Global Victoria for skincare and cosmetic businesses seeking improved export pathways to China, leading consumer marketing programs to launch and develop markets in Asia, as well as cross-border e-commerce and corporate advisory services to Australian businesses on trade and investment in China.
In addition to his work with Berries Australia, Jesse has led marketing programs for the Australian Table Grape Association and contributes to national advisory committees for both the Table Grape and Summerfruit industries.
From March 2019 to June 2021, Jesse was Project Director - International at Bastion Agency, where he led international marketing and PR projects into Asia for Australian clients. As Project Lead for Hort Innovation’s international marketing program, he successfully ran campaigns for Citrus, Table Grapes, Cherries, Summerfruit, Avocados and Apples & Pears, elevating the profile of Australian produce in eleven international markets.
With a Bachelor’s in Business & Commerce and a Master’s in Diplomacy & Trade from Monash University, Jesse combines academic rigor with practical insights to navigate complex international markets effectively.
