Our Team

John TyasJohn Tyas
Chief Executive Officer
John has held the position of CEO since May 2012. Reporting to the board of Avocados Australia, John’s role is to lead all facets of the organisation and implement plans agreed with the board.Click here to read John’s full bio
Louise DunkerAvocados Australia logo (map)
Administration & Finance Manager
Louise joined Avocados Australia in 2021. She oversees the administration and finance, as well as providing project support. Click here to read Louise’s full bio

Amanda MaddenAmanda Madden
Administration Assistant
Amanda joined Avocados Australia in 2008, she provides administration, event and project support to the team. Click here to read Amanda’s full bio
Anna Petrou
Communications Manager
Anna joined the Avocados Australia team in 2021. She oversees the delivery of avocado industry communications, including the popular industry magazine Talking Avocados and the Guacamole newsletter. Click here to read Anna’s full bio

Flora ZhangFlora Zhang
Export Development Manager
Flora joined the Avocados Australia team in 2021. Her role is to manage a range of export development activities. Click here to read Flora’s full bio
Daniel MartinsDaniel Martins
Data Analyst
Daniel joined the Avocados Australia team in 2019. He compiles and analyses the industry’s data, including for Infocado, OrchardInfo and other reports. Click here to read Daniel’s full bio 

Anne LarardAnne Larard
Strategy and Projects Consultant, Partnerships Director
Anne has been working with Avocados Australia since 2021. Her current role involves providing support to key industry projects and managing the delivery of valued services to Avocados Australia partners. Click here to read Anne’s full bio
Hayleigh DawsonHayleigh Dawson
Market Development Manager
Hayleigh joined the Avocados Australia team in 2020 as the Domestic Market Development Manager where she supports key industry investments across a range of areas. Click here to read Hayleigh’s full bio

Richard MagneyRichard Magney
Chief of Export – Market Access
Richard joined the Avocados Australia team at the end of October 2022. His role is to drive market access for Australian avocados into priority new markets. Richard’s main focus will be to develop and drive our export market access strategies. Click here to read Richard’s full bio
Grant TelfordGrant Telford
Project Manager – Avocado Biosecurity Strategy Project
Grant joined the Avocados Australia team in July 2022 to oversee AAL’s new 5-year biosecurity strategy project. Grant’s 33 years in biosecurity, working across all facets of biosecurity, makes him the ideal candidate to take on the project management and coordination role for AAL. Click here to read Grant’s full bio

Mary BurtonMary Burton
RD&E Coordinator
Mary is working at Avocados Australia to optimise the performance of the Hort Innovation avocado RD&E investment program. Click here to read Mary’s full bio