Ash Rootsey Email & Phone Number

I am currently leading a multimillion dollar portfolio of agtech R&D projects using AI, robotics, satellite, IoT and related technologies across animal, plant and seafood industries. I manage project coordination, reporting, and impact assessment of these multinational projects, which have a 100% completion record and are forecasted to add >$300m to the national agricultural sector through improved productivity and sustainability.

Prior to this role, I worked for Food Agility as a specialist in facilitating the design, delivery and impact evaluation of over 30 agtech R&D projects. Each of which builds multi-disciplinary teams and combines the capabilities and expertise of major agribusinesses, technologists, researchers and regulators.

Ultimo, Nsw, Australia

When first joining Food Agility I helped establish the processes used to build, assess and deliver innovative R&D projects according to design, lean and agile principles. I also supported initial communications and branding.

As part of a global collaboration with Food Agility, Yamaha Motor Co, Treasury Wine Estates and University of Technology Sydney, I was seconded part-time to The Yield to manage their portfolio of R&D projects combining AI harvest prediction, robotics automation, satellite remote sensing and IoT technologies.

I served for one year in the GS1 National Traceability Advisory Group, providing oversight and support to emerging traceability technologies and projects in agrifood processing and distribution.

I co-led the AgriFood Workstream of the Internet of Things Alliance Australia for over 3 years, creating communities/events and fostering collaboration around the emerging field of IoT and related technologies in agricultural and food systems.

I was a member of the foundation team who ideated, built and designed the Agtech Finder platform, a tool used by thousands of farmers to browse and identify over 200 agtech products available for deployment on the Australian market. This involved extensive user interviews and testing, strategic decision making and partnership management.

Mascot, Nsw, Australia

Whist studying my Bachelors I worked part-time managing media releases, newsletters, member correspondence, website and social media for NSW dairy farmers, processors and distributors in Australia. This role included supporting members through milk retail pricing crises, milk labelling debates,labour shortages and managing global collaborations for Australian dairy.

I worked in the Marketing and Communications team at one of Australia's predominant agribusinesses focused on grower and consumer services. The role involved collaboration with the Marketing and Communication Manager in working to develop and expand channels to market through existing touch points, traditional media, expanding online platforms, sponsorship, public relations and events.

Battambang, Cambodia

I worked as part of the ACIAR CSE/2015/044 project's Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) research team, in conjuction with conducting my own social research for my B. Food & Agribusiness honours thesis. The PRA was a culmination of 144 interviews conducted over 8 regional villiages in Cambodia's north-west provinces. The findings were compiled and trends were gathered to be used for guiding the future directions of this ACIAR aiming to alleviate poverty among rice growers in this region.

Brookvale, Nsw, Australia

I completed a three-month internship at one of Australia’s fastest growing craft breweries. I was assigned to develop a number of environmental and community-based company policies as part of their application to become a certified B-Corporation; also aided the execution of a company-wide carbon audit and supplier engagement programs.

Master'S Degree, Development Economics And International Development

I completed an intensive Master’s program in Barcelona which addressed major themes and issues in development such as poverty, growth vs.

Bachelor Of Food Science And Agribusiness, Food Science, Hons. (First Class)

Activities and Societies: Food Wastage Fighters Society, Sydney University Agricultural SocietyMy undergraduate studies combined.

Higher School Certificate

Activities and Societies: Football, Cricket, Basketball, Cadets, Extension Maths, Headmaster's Award for Endeavour - 2010 and 2012.