Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology IWD2024 Breakfast

When: March 8, 2024

Where: Perth, Australia

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Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.

Join the AIFST WA Branch for breakfast to celebrate women's achievement.

Our speakers:

Mei Young, Director – Turban Chopsticks

Mei has over 20 years of hands-on experience in the F&B and FMCG industries, with a deep family history in operations spanning Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.

Mei is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of My PlantCo – a plant-based WA company focused on creating products that are loved by people and planet. Mei has been involved in the launch and evolution of each of My PlantCo’s three distinct brands – Real Oats, Kado and Turban Chopsticks.

Additionally, Mei holds a number of roles including as an Advisory Member of Curtin University’s Molecular & Life Sciences Faculty and Murdoch University’s Launchpad and as a Mentor to WA Female Founders.

Mei is passionate about adopting an impactful approach and has strong interest in several initiatives, including commitments to employing women and young people with disabilities, mentoring and championing female start-ups, closing the gap for food sustainability and waste minimisation between farmers and consumers, and importantly, through powerful collaborations where long-term win-win relationships can be formed to benefit all impacted stakeholders.

Suzanne Daubney, Managing Director – Bannister Downs Dairy

As a multiple award winning business owner, innovator and entrepreneur, Suzanne (Sue) Daubney is Managing Director of Bannister Downs Dairy; WA’s leading premium dairy producer.

Celebrating almost two decades at the helm of the pioneering family dairy business, Sue leads a team of more than 50 dedicated employees to provide Western Australian families, stores and food businesses with fresh, high quality local milk products.

Sue, with her husband Mathew (Mat) realised early in the process that innovation and maintaining the end price point, was critical to building a sustainable business.  

This market lead approach continues in a partnership with Mrs Gina Rinehart, notably one of the most successful business people in Australian history and the combined investment in a state of art facility ‘The Creamery’, which includes an automatic processing facility and WA’s first voluntary automatic milking rotary.

Being a proud, local family owned business is at the heart of Bannister Downs Dairy and this is reflected in its Hand in Hand program.  Sue is committed to the provision of local employment in the South-West region and supporting local charity projects within the capabilities of the business.

Sue has completed a Bachelor of Science from Murdoch University, a Bachelor of Nursing and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from Edith Cowan University.

Sue was awarded a Telstra Business Women’s Innovation Award for WA in 2006 and won the First Amongst Equals at the WA Business News 40 under 40 in 2010.  

Sue held a 3 year term as Chair of the Food Committee at CCI Perth, 3 years on the Reserve Bank’s Small Business Advisory Committee, sat on General Council of CCI and on the Board of the Food Industry Association as well as being Deputy Chair of the South West Development Commission and completing a 6 year term.  Sue is currently a Board Member on the Hale School Board of Governors.

Kate Sinfield, CEO – Sin Gin Distillery (Kate's Bio coming soon)