CAA announces new CEO to drive its next chapter

Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) has announced a leadership transition as it prepares for its next phase of growth in an evolving food innovation sector. 

Joanne Tunna, currently Chief Program Officer, will step into the Chief Executive Officer role starting this week, succeeding Sam Perkins, who has led the organisation since 2022. Perkins will remain closely involved through the end of the year and as a strategic adviser to CAA into 2027. 

The leadership changes come as CAA and the sector look to build on the momentum of recent years. 

As food biomanufacturing and ingredient innovation continue to mature, so too has recognition of their potential to strengthen food security, support regional industries, reduce emissions and build a more resilient food system. 

CAA has matured alongside the sector, growing significantly in scale and remit, most recently through its integration with Food Frontier. The organisation is now delivering larger, longer-term initiatives across policy, investment and ecosystem development. 

Chloe Dempsey, Chair, said the leadership transition reflected the organisation’s continued growth and the Board’s focus on ensuring CAA has the right leadership for its next phase. 

"Over the past four years, Sam and Jo have worked closely together to build CAA into a respected national voice for the sector. Jo has been fundamental to that journey and brings deep organisational knowledge, an exceptional ability to translate strategy into action, and a clear vision for CAA's next chapter. The Board is delighted to appoint her as CEO and looks forward to supporting her as she builds on that strong foundation." 

Perkins said Tunna had been instrumental in building CAA into the organisation it is today. 

"In 2022, Jo recruited me to lead CAA and I've had the privilege of building this organisation alongside her ever since. She was CAA's first employee and there's no one who understands this organisation, this sector, and the role CAA needs to play within it better than she does." 

"As we've grown, the organisation has needed to evolve with it. The next phase is about translating strategy into delivery, building the right structures and continuing to bring people together around a shared vision. Those are all things Jo does exceptionally well, which is why I couldn't be more confident that she's the right person to lead CAA into its next chapter." 

Tunna reflected on Perkins’ contribution to CAA and his role in positioning it as a sector leader.

"Sam's vision, deep sector knowledge and unwavering belief in CAA's capability have been fundamental to building the organisation we have today. He’s been catalytic in transforming CAA from a volunteer-led organisation into a growing team with multi-year funding and an important role in advancing Australia's food biomanufacturing and plant protein ingredient sectors." 

"He has been a constant champion of both the sector’s potential and the unique value CAA brings to the ecosystem. While this is a bittersweet moment, we're incredibly grateful for everything Sam has contributed and look forward to continuing to benefit from his advice and strategic input in the years ahead.” 

CAA has also appointed Ashley Mackinnon as Director, Policy & Advocacy. Mackinnon brings deep policy, government relations and agricultural sector experience, including leadership roles at Australian Dairy Farmers, the Victorian Farmers Federation and most recently as Senior Government Relations Manager at Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association. 

He will lead CAA’s work to develop the government support, policy settings and public investment the sector needs. 

Tunna commented, “We’re delighted to have Ashley joining us at such an important time. Government engagement and advocacy are core focus areas and Ashley brings an outstanding combination of skills, experience and long standing connections into traditional agriculture." 

She added that the changes within CAA reflect confidence about the opportunities ahead. 

"I'm incredibly proud of what we've built together and excited about leading CAA into its next chapter. With a fantastic team, supportive board and a clear strategy, we're well placed to build on that momentum to unlock a new generation of food and ingredient production in Australia." 

ENDS 

About Cellular Agriculture Australia 

Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) is Australia’s leading non-profit organisation advocating for emerging food production technologies and ingredient innovation, and their integration across the food system. CAA’s work aims to build the policy, regulatory, and investment settings required to unlock a new generation of food and ingredient production in Australia.