ACIAR has an executive management governance structure. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) manages the administrative and financial affairs of ACIAR and its staff, subject to, and in accordance with, any directions given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The CEO leads an executive team, which provides strategic leadership of the agency to ensure program delivery is consistent with government policy objectives to an appropriate level of performance.
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Dr Nick Austin has extensive experience in international agricultural development and a long association with ACIAR, most recently as current President of the Policy Advisory Council.
He holds a PhD in sustainable agriculture, a master degree in management and has held senior roles in international bodies, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the CGIAR and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. Dr Austin is an elected fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He previously served as the ACIAR Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2016.
General Manager, Research
Dr James Quilty is General Manager Research at ACIAR, where he leads the organisation's strategic science agenda and oversees its research and capacity development portfolio. He provides leadership to Research Program Managers across ACIAR's research areas and guides engagement with Australia's research and innovation system.
James brings extensive experience in international agricultural research for development, strategic portfolio leadership and partnership building. He has a long association with ACIAR, having previously served as General Manager Research and Research Program Manager, giving him deep insight into the organisation's approach to international agricultural research for development and its global partnerships.
Before first joining ACIAR in 2019, James spent seven years with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, and more recently has worked as an independent consultant supporting research and development programs across Asia and the Pacific. Throughout his career, James has focused on strengthening research impact, building effective partnerships, and advancing agricultural science and innovation to support sustainable development outcomes across the Indo-Pacific.
General Manager, Partnerships
Dr Suzie Newman oversees multilateral and strategic partnerships at ACIAR. She leads a multidisciplinary team that engages with stakeholders, undertakes impact evaluation and communicates the value of ACIAR-funded initiatives. The team also facilitates partner country engagement through ACIAR’s locally engaged country network.
Dr Newman joined ACIAR from The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited where she founded and led their International Development Unit. Established in 2017, the Unit has a portfolio of horticultural and seafood sector projects across Asia, Africa, the Pacific and the Caribbean. She has extensive leadership and program management experience in international development having worked in both government and academic sectors. She brings strong technical skills in agribusiness, horticultural production and postharvest management research and extension.
From 2009-2016, she was based in Hanoi, Vietnam leading a series of regional projects in Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar for ACIAR. She has also worked in Papua New Guinea, China and Africa. She is an experienced leader of complex, inter-disciplinary and multi-partnered projects. In 2012, she was awarded the MARD Medal for her contribution to Agriculture and Rural Development in Vietnam and in 2016 the Vietnam Women’s Union award for contribution to women’s development and empowerment in Vietnam. She holds a PhD in Plant Science (Postharvest Physiology) and a BHortSci (Hons) both from Massey University, New Zealand.
Acting General Manager, Corporate
Natalie Mogridge is the General Manager Corporate at ACIAR. She leads the organisation’s finance, information and communications technology, business engagement and assurance, and people and culture functions. The role ensures strong corporate governance, financial management and legislative compliance, while improving systems and practices to support efficient program delivery and a culture of integrity.
Natalie brings to the role extensive experience across corporate services, including law, governance, risk and organisational change. She has worked in both the public and private sectors, having most recently holding senior advisory roles at the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the National Blood Authority and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
Natalie holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Diploma in Modern Languages (Japanese), with additional training in change management, program management and governance.
