Staff Members

Jen Scoular
CEO, New Zealand Avocado
The NZAGA & AIC Board task Jen with developing and implementing a strategy to optimise profitability while growing a strong industry.
Mobile 021 741 014 |

Glenys Parton
Industry Systems Manager
Glenys manages the industry quality and export systems, including AvoGreen, and currently facilitates rot research and agrichemical efficacy assessment.
Mobile 0274 99 70 81 |

Edwina Aitchison
Executive Assistant
Edwina provides administrative support to Jen, the NZAGA & AIC Board members, industry stakeholder groups and the NZ Avocado team.
Phone 021 977 890 |

Bevan Jelley
Market Manager
Bevan works closely with exporters and NZ marketers to optimise grower investment in market development, and manages promotional activity in our key markets.
Mobile 021 994 097 |

Joanne Nunn
Administration Assistant
Jo is the NZ Avocado receptionist and also assists the the New Zealand Avocado staff with any administration tasks.

Jay Bent
Business Manager
Jay focuses on finances of the industry body, while also managing the collection and dissemination of industry data to industry stakeholders.

Brad Siebert
Biosecurity & Programme Manager
Brad manages the day-to-day of the NZ Avocado Primary Growth Partnership programme: NZ Avocados Go Global, and works to ensure the industry has a well considered biosecurity plan to protect the New Zealand avocado industry.
Phone 021 804 847 |

Phillip West
R&D Officer
Phillip works with growers on orchard trials, while also managing projects within the NZ Avocado Research Programme, analysing data and communicating results to growers.
Email Phillip.west@nzavocado.co.nz | Mobile 021 706 504 |

Marisa Till
Research Manager
Marisa facilitates the NZ Avocado Research Programme, ensuring effective research meets growers' needs for the benefit of the whole industry.
Email marisa.till@nzavocado.co.nz | Mobile 021 344 559 |

Logan Whenuaroa
Research Associate
Logan supports with the implementation of the NZ Avocado Research Programme.
Email logan.whenuaroa@nzavocado.co.nz | Mobile 0273739859 |

Anna Livingston
Market Manager
Anna provides support with promotional activities across export markets and in the NZ market with a focus on digital marketing.
Email anna.livingston@nzavocado.co.nz |

Melissa Conrad
Communications Manager
Melissa manages the stakeholder and corporate communications activities and events for NZ Avocado. She coordinates the development and creation of industry publications such as AvoScene and Avoconnect, while also managing the organisations PR and social media for the NZ market.
Email melissa.conrad@nzavocado.co.nz |

Melissa van den Heuvel
Industry Systems Associate
Melissa provides support for the wider team in her role, with a focus on AvoGreen and grower communication.
Email melissa@nzavocado.co.nz |

Sarah Sorensen
Project Manager
Sarah is on a six-month contract as project manager for research into post-harvest rots in avocado.
Email sarah.sorensen@nzavocado.co.nz |