Australian wine sector’s leadership innovators and change-makers announced — Future Leaders 2025

An exciting new cohort has been selected for the Australian grape and wine sector’s peak leadership development program, Future Leaders.

Representing roles across the wine sector’s value-chain, the Future Leaders for 2025 are:

Offered every two years, Future Leaders continues to cement its reputation as a premier opportunity that delivers significant personal and professional transformation for participants. 

“Recent years in particular have seen unprecedented challenges across the sector, including market volatility, declining global consumption, and the imperative for innovation and sustainability,” said Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Dr Martin Cole.

“Future Leaders plays a vital role in developing individuals with the strong and adaptable leadership response required to navigate this complexity, demonstrating clear alignment with the One Grape and Wine Sector’s strategic objectives.” 

Lee McLean, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Grape & Wine, said the Future Leaders program played a critical role in ensuring the long-term prosperity of Australia’s grape and wine sector.

“These emerging leaders bring the fresh thinking, resilience and strategic foresight our industry needs to navigate change and seize new opportunities. We’re proud to support a program that’s equipping the next generation to help shape a stronger, more sustainable future for Australian wine,” Mr McLean said.

Callie Jemmeson, winemaker for PachaMama and Joval Family Wines, said she was “looking forward to stepping out of the day-to-day and into some big-picture conversations” through her participation in Future Leaders.

“I’m genuinely excited (and a little humbled) to be part of Future Leaders. It’s a chance to learn, to challenge myself and to connect with others who care deeply about where this industry is going — and want to be part of shaping what’s next,” she said. “I’m hoping to stretch my thinking, see things from new angles and walk away with a few fresh ideas.”

With a background in viticulture, Matt Duggan from Domaine Chandon said he recognised that to make a significant contribution to the Australian wine industry, leadership skills were paramount.

“I see leadership as something you've got to actively work on, not just something that comes with the job. I hope that Future Leaders will enable me to become a strong voice for change and help push the industry forward,” he said.

“I look forward to the networking opportunities this program offers. I am confident that I will connect with inspiring individuals and forge lasting relationships,” he continued.

“Being accepted into the 2025 Future Leaders program is a huge honour and an opportunity to really step up and champion our industry with other passionate leaders to look outside of the box in how we drive a successful future,” said Emma Brown, head of innovation at the Brown Family Wine Group. “We are so lucky to be part of such an incredible industry and now, in such a time of change, is our opportunity to ensure we're advocating and shaping the industry to ensure its sustainability for the generations to come.”

The 15 Future Leaders 2025 were selected from an outstanding field of 86 applicants.

The selection panel — which comprised Wine Australia chief executive officer Dr Martin Cole, Australian Grape & Wine chief executive officer Lee McLean, and seven Future Leaders alumni — were delighted with the quality of applicants and their spread across business size, roles and the value chain.

Future Leaders is funded and coordinated by Wine Australia, supported by Australian Grape & Wine and delivered by Pragmatic Thinking.

“Its success is evidenced by consistent high demand, overwhelmingly positive alumni testimonials, an enduring and valuable network spanning regions and roles across the wine sector value chain, along with the progression of graduates into key leadership roles across the industry”, said Jo Hargreaves, Senior Program Manager and Future Leaders co-ordinator.

“We look forward to supporting the individuals through this phenomenal opportunity and following their progress and impact into the future”, she said.

Future Leaders 2025; from top, left to right: Andrea Roberts-Davison, Ashleigh Seymour, Brendan Hawker, Callie Jemmeson, Chris Mein, Daniel Mortimer, Emma Brown, Lachlan Aird, Madeleine Marson, Marianne Duluk, Matt Duggan, Nick Baverstock, Nick Dugmore, Nicola Reid and Tash Stoodley.