Speakers
Jessica Ridley
Journalist | By The Way Media
Television presenter, media coach and entrepreneur
Jessica Ridley boasts more than a decade of experience in some of Australia’s busiest newsrooms. She’s a journalist, broadcaster and presenter, having worked on Channel 7’s Sunrise, Nine’s Today Show, 2GB radio Sydney and 7News, covering a range of diverse topics from finance to health and entertainment. Jessica is the founder of BTW Media, a renowned Sydney-based media training, PR and content business, and is a widely in-demand speaker, presenter and corporate trainer for prominent organisations across Australia.
As the Master of Ceremonies for this year's Rice Conference, Jessica will bring her trademark energy, professionalism and storytelling expertise to the event. Drawing on years of experience in Australia's leading newsrooms and on some of the nation's biggest broadcast programs, she has a unique ability to engage audiences and create meaningful connections. Jessica's passion for communication and her polished presenting style will help ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience as we celebrate the achievements, opportunities and future of the Australian rice industry together.
Paul Serra
CEO, SunRice Group
Paul Serra became Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of SunRice Group in August 2023. Paul is an accomplished leader with extensive global experience in the growth and transformation of complex and diverse organisations.
Prior to joining SunRice, Paul worked at a number of agri-business and FMCG companies, including most recently as Managing Director North America (USA and Canada) of Olam Food Ingredients. He has also held senior executive roles at Campbell Soup Company and operational roles at The Arnott’s Group ANZ.
Paul has demonstrable experience delivering financial outcomes in the agri-business, food ingredients, and FMCG sectors, as well as in supply chain management, people leadership, business transformation, health and safety, and operations. Paul holds an honours degree in engineering from The University of Queensland.
Anthony Nehme
CEO, Yenda Producers Co-Operative
Chief Executive Officer of Yenda Producers Co-operative Society Ltd (YPC), bringing more than 24 years of service and leadership within the Co-operative. A qualified accountant, Anthony holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in driving strategic growth, governance, financial stewardship, and operational excellence across the organisation.
A lifelong local of Yenda, Anthony is deeply connected to the Riverina community and agricultural industry. Alongside his executive responsibilities, he is an active farmer and a dedicated family man, raising three children. His combination of commercial expertise, practical farming experience, and commitment to community makes him a passionate advocate for regional businesses, growers, and the future of Australian agriculture.
Peter Vaughan
Senior Manager, Levied Industries, AgriFutures Australia
Peter Vaughan commenced with AgriFutures in October 2021 as Senior Manager, Commercialisation.
In 2026, he was appointed to the additional role of Senior Manager for the Rice Program in the AgriFutures Levied Industries team. Peter has been working at the interface of agricultural R&D and commercial organisations for over 30 years, including with Meat & Livestock Australia, the Value-Added Wheat Cooperative Research Centre, SGB Australia, Austgrains, Agricultural Licensing Australia and Greenlife Industry Australia (GIA).
Through these roles, he has been involved as a research manager, licensor and licensee in the development and commercialisation of cereal, pulse, oilseed and pasture varieties; fruit, nut, vegetable and environmental horticultural cultivars; and a number of services including whole-genome wheat and barley genotyping through Triticarte and the Australian Plant Production Standard with GIA.