FOMENT DELIVERY TEAM

CARLA DIAS WADEWITZ
Lecturer & Acceleration Program Coordination -
Flinders New Venture Institute
​Carla has spent the last 10 years working with companies and start-ups across Europe, US and Asia, mentoring in health, manufacturing/industry 4.0, retail and tourism. She lectured in Entrepreneurship at some of Europe’s top business schools and is currently lecturing at Flinders University. Carla develops and delivers national and international acceleration programs to entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs. 
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DR. DARREN OEMCKE
Partner and Marketing Director -
Hydra Consulting
Dr Oemcke is a partner at both boutique management consulting firm Hydra and a wine tourism business, whilst also being a board member of several SA based tech start-ups. Darren is a specialist in growing businesses, utilising his skills in strategy, marketing, product development and project delivery with a very strong focus in tourism and wine. He has mentored many startups both independently and through accelerators and incubators.
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CHRISTINA BELPERIO
Business Consultant -
​Hydra Consulting
Christina Belperio is a highly experienced project and program manager and a
strong focus on stakeholder engagement. Christina is passionate about helping
industries and communities solve their economic growth challenges and
develop strategies to tackle them head-on. She has developed and delivered numerous industry development programs designed to increase business innovation with a focus on food, wine and agribusiness.
SHIRLEY FRASER
Executive Officer –
Wine Industry Suppliers Australia
​Shirley is a wine strategy professional. As an innovative problem solver, she draws on over 20 years of wine industry experience to facilitate business improvement that is relevant and effective for the organisation, brand and broader sector. Shirley is dedicated to unlocking the potential of each business she works with, whether global corporate, boutique, SME, family-owned or regional body. Cultivating their authentic stories and richness, innovation and causes, to build connections between brands in their route to market to achieve sustainable success.
ELEN CUÑA
Founder – Briefing Room and Marketing Support –Flinders New Venture Institute
​Elen is a Marketing and Communications professional with 15 years of corporate experience in Australia and Brazil. Responsible for planning and executing all things marketing, with a special interest for digital marketing and content strategy.








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FOMENT STEERING COMMITTEE

RON VAN BUUREN
​Partner and Managing Director -
​Hydra Consulting
​Ron is co-founder of Hydra Consulting. Ron utilises his unique background in major projects delivery in manufacturing, production and processing, global supply chain, business development, R&D and engineering. Ron has mentored start-ups and multinationals through improved governance, management, teamwork, collaboration and creating effective processes to deliver growth. Ron brings to the FOMENT team a unique take on the industry with a vast amount of experience across the wine and tourism sectors.
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JASON AMOS
Lallemand Australia; Commercial Director Oenology – Oceania & United Kingdom
Jason is an experienced director with a demonstrated history of working in the
food production industry. He is a strong sales professional skilled in beverage
fermentation and the commercialisation of R&D innovations for wine, beer and
cider production. He is a collaborative leader managing an international team and
executing profitable business strategies globally.
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VERITY KINGSMILL
Director -
​Flinders New Venture Institute
Verity focuses on leading progressive practice in the groups she works with, including experiential, innovative
and alternative practice-based learning. Her background has been in executive recruitment, training, assessment/ development centre methodology and design, and emotional intelligence in practice.





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PETER HAYES
Wine Industry Strategist and Advisor

​Peter has extensive experience across education and training, R&D investment and management, viticultural operations, irrigation sector, and government and industry affairs in a 30+ year career in the wine industry. His current roles include: Independent Chairman, Almond Board of Australia; Presiding Member, Wine Australia Selection Committee; Member, Wine Australia GI Committee; President, Lien de la Vigne/VineLink: Business Editor, Wine Economics and Policy Journal; and Honorary President, International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) with related Expert Groups activity.



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DAMIEN GRIFFANTE
Manager, Policy and Market Access -
​Australian Grape & Wine
After over 10 years of experience providing broad support for Australian wine industry engagement, policy and strategy, Damien now focuses on the trade and market access work of Australian Grape & Wine. Damien also manages the Australian Grape & Wine national advisory committees, including the Wine Industry Technical Advisory Committee, Research Advisory Committee, Code Management Committee, Packaging Committee and the Wine Industry Market Access Group. With both a national and international perspective, Damien focuses on engagement and maintaining Australian wines' leading role in guiding strategic priorities across a number of forums including World Wine Trade Group, OIV, Codex and APEC.​