Our executive
Chief Executive
Professor Mehdi Doroudi PSM, GAICD
As Chief Executive, Professor Mehdi Doroudi's primary focus is on advancing the prosperity and sustainability of South Australia’s primary industries and regional communities.
Professor Doroudi works in partnership with all levels of government, industry, regional communities and research organisations to:
- increase productivity of our primary industries and agribusinesses
- grow regions by supporting key regional development drivers
- lead and influence evidence-based policy, programs and regulatory frameworks to drive efficiency, effectiveness and unlock potential
- secure production through biosecurity, food safety standards and efficient and sustainable use of agricultural and aquatic resources
- deliver and facilitate the adoption of applied science that leverage South Australia’s competitive advantages
- manage adverse events effectively and help primary industries and regional communities improve preparedness, resilience and recover well
- enable market access by working with primary industries to respond to evolving requirements of domestic and global markets and consumers
- champion South Australian primary industries and regions in relevant state, federal and global forums.
Professor Doroudi is a proud and passionate leader in agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry with over 30 years of experience. Prior to becoming the Chief Executive, he was the Deputy Chief Executive of PIRSA where he was responsible for the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Fisheries and Aquaculture, Biosecurity SA, Forestry and Agriculture, Food and Wine.
He has also held executive positions within the Department of Primary Industries in both Victoria and New South Wales and in the private sector.
Professor Doroudi completed his degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Tehran University and his PhD at the School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University and holds an Affiliate Professorial position with the University of Adelaide.
He was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal in 2019 for outstanding public service for his efforts in the advancement of science to inform policy and the management of primary industries in South Australia.
Deputy Chief Executive
Jo Collins
As Deputy Chief Executive of PIRSA, Jo has responsibility for industry and regional development, biosecurity, emergency management and communication and engagement portfolios, where she brings people together to grow and protect industries, strengthen regional communities and drive South Australia’s economic success.
With over 30 years’ experience across government, Jo has built a reputation as a collaborative leader who gets things done. She’s passionate about working with industry and stakeholders to create opportunities, tackle big challenges and deliver lasting change.
Throughout her career, Jo has delivered significant initiatives that have shaped South Australia’s economic and policy landscape. She led the development of the Food, Wine and Agribusiness Growth State Plan to grow the sector to $23 billion by 2030, established the Seasonal Worker Regional Quarantine Facility at Paringa during COVID-19 and oversaw major legislative reforms including the creation of a new Biosecurity Bill and the introduction of regulations allowing the cultivation of genetically modified food crops.
Jo also secured South Australia's membership in the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network, spearheaded the Fight for the Murray campaign to secure an additional 450 gigalitres of water for the state, and led the communications strategy underpinning Water for Good, South Australia’s plan for long-term water security.
Jo’s career has spanned environment, water, health and agriculture portfolios. She currently serves on the Minister’s Forest Industry Advisory Council SA, the Forestry Centre for Excellence and is the elected President of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. She has also held previous board roles with the South Australian Tourism Commission, the Goyder Institute for Water Research, the Local Advisory Board for Economic Growth on Kangaroo Island and Rural Assistance Appeals Committee.
Executive Director, Biosecurity
Georgie Cornish
A highly respected government leader, Georgie has previously served as Deputy Chief Officer at the SA Country Fire Service (CFS) with responsibility for overseeing a $130 million budget, the largest fleet in the state and 13,000 personnel volunteers. Prior to that, she was the CFS Executive Director, Frontline Services Support and Director, State Disaster Recovery at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, where she was instrumental in developing policy and coordinating recovery operations, including during the 2019–20 bushfires followed by COVID-19. She has also worked at the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs in Operations and as an Intelligence Officer and Analyst.
Georgie has successfully established and championed policy and programs that focus on preparedness, response, recovery and resilience and has been passionate about establishing these programs in direct response to the forecast of risk in the emergency management landscape. Georgie is excited about the opportunity to lead PIRSA’s Biosecurity division in addressing the diverse and changing tasks that are inherent in biosecurity management.
Executive Director, Corporate Services
Michelle Griffiths
As Executive Director of Corporate Services, Michelle Griffiths' primary focus is to work in partnership with the Department’s divisions to provide high quality, customer focussed corporate services, aligning with divisional needs and the Department’s directions.
Michelle joined the Department in January 2018 and brings diverse experience in corporate services.
Michelle represents PIRSA on the Across Government Facilities Management Arrangements led by the Department of Planning, Transport, and Infrastructure, as well as the State Emergency Relief Fund Committee, specifically for the SA Bushfire Appeal.
She has held roles as Director Finance and Business Services and Chief Financial Officer in the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) from 2012 to 2018.
While at DEWNR, Michelle worked on a large accommodation project, consolidating city and metropolitan sites, reducing the footprint for the agency and contributing towards the achievement of a five-star green star rating.
Michelle has previously held roles in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the Auditor-General's and the former Department for Water.
She leads a dynamic group of people in People and Culture, ICT, Asset Management and Facilities, Business Services, Procurement, Finance and Prudential Management.
Michelle holds a Bachelor degree in Economics (Accounting), a Master in Business Administration and is a Fellow CPA.
She is also a member of the South Australian Police Risk and Performance Committee.
Executive Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Professor Gavin Begg
Professor Gavin Begg was appointed Executive Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division in November 2020, to oversee the delivery of legislative and regulatory outcomes to grow the commercial, recreational and Indigenous fishing and aquaculture industries and opportunities in South Australia.
Professor Begg is responsible for the collaboration with industry, other government departments and other divisions within PIRSA, such as the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Agriculture, Food and wine, Rural Solutions SA and Biosecurity SA to deliver a range of fisheries and aquaculture related services.
He brings with him more than 20 years’ experience in research, policy, scientific management and leadership advice in the fisheries sector.
Prior to joining the Division, Professor Begg was Research Director at SARDI, and also worked in the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority in Canberra, the CRC Reef Research Centre at James Cook University Townsville, the Marine Research Institute Iceland, and the National Marine Fisheries Service USA.
Professor Begg has completed a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Queensland, as well as a Bachelor of Science at the University of New South Wales.
Acting Executive Director, Industry, Strategy and Partnerships
Rob Robinson
Rob Robinson leads the Industry, Strategy and Partnerships division within the Department of Primary Industries and Regions and is responsible for the oversight of strategic policy and legislative reform; industry partnerships and intelligence; forest industries; and communications and engagement.
Since joining PIRSA in 2006 Rob has managed policy and industry development with an emphasis on achieving social and economic outcomes from the state's forest industries. His achievements include developing the state's first forest industry strategy.
Rob is Executive Officer to the Forest Industry Advisory Council of South Australia, which provides advice to the Minister for Forest Industries, and supports a master plan to develop the sector. He also drives forestry research and development through the Forestry Centre of Excellence in Mount Gambier.
Previously he held senior positions in PIRSA as General Manager Agribusiness Development, and as Manager Community Forestry with ForestrySA. He holds tertiary qualifications in physical geography, wildlife and park management and is a graduate of the Public Sector Management program.
Acting Executive Director, Major Programs and Regions
Brett Bartel
Brett Bartel is the Acting Executive Director for the Major Programs and Regions division. Major Programs and Regions works in partnership with industry and community as well as local, state and federal government agencies to develop and deliver initiatives to realise economic and community development opportunities in South Australia’s regions. The division has a critical role in supporting primary producers and communities recover from and build resilience to adverse events, including natural disasters, drought, climate change and biosecurity outbreaks.
Brett is nationally accredited in biosecurity and emergency management, and a trained engagement practitioner. In additional to his undergraduate science qualifications, he has completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is a Fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Foundation.
Brett has been a director, manager and technical leader in the primary industries, disaster recovery, environmental management, and regional development field for over 30 years. His experience from being raised on a family farm on the Eyre Peninsula and working extensively across Australia has given him an intricate understanding of primary industries and regional challenges.
Throughout his career, Brett has managed a number of significant recovery resilience and building programs. Through this experience, Brett has established strong networks with government, industry and community stakeholders. In his work Brett strives to create sustainable and resilient regions by bridging the interface between industries, stakeholders and government.
Executive Director, South Australian Research and Development Institute
Professor Mike Steer
Professor Mike Steer is the Executive Director of the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research arm of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions within the South Australian Government. SARDI’s mission is to deliver world-class, independent, applied research outcomes that support primary industries, communities, and regions to grow and prosper. With a focus on advancing the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of South Australia's primary industries, SARDI's work spans agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, biosecurity, livestock and food sciences.
Professor Steer brings over 20 years of experience in scientific and leadership roles, having previously served as the Research Director of SARDI's Aquatic and Livestock Sciences. His strategic leadership and scientific expertise have been instrumental in shaping South Australia's seafood industry, enabling impactful advancements that have enhanced the sector's capabilities and reputation for sustainability.
In his role as Executive Director, Professor Steer is dedicated to strengthening partnerships across all primary industry sectors, including crops, livestock, food, and aquatics. His commitment to fostering collaboration with industry partners, universities, and other research institutions is foundational to his vision for SARDI's future.
Professor Steer holds a PhD from the University of Tasmania and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from James Cook University, Queensland. His work exemplifies SARDI's mission to empower South Australia's industries and communities.