CRDC has welcomed two new Innovation Brokers who are no strangers to cotton and research, development and extension (RD&E). Felicity Muller and Shakira Johnson start with CRDC today.
Felicity is ‘coming back’ to the cotton industry having cut her teeth as a researcher based in rural NSW.
“I love meeting people and learning – so the opportunity to be at the forefront of emerging technologies and solutions to problems impacting the cotton industry is such an exciting opportunity,” she said.
“I look forward to meeting people throughout the industry and working with them on some of these challenges.”
Felicity formed an early association with the cotton industry through her university studies at the University of Sydney, as the recipient of an honours scholarship supported by the cotton industry, looking into the impacts of soil sodicity on cotton production at Hillston in the Lachlan Valley, NSW.
“I was really impressed by the industry’s willingness to support early researchers and the openness of growers in welcoming a young scientist on to their properties to build understanding of potential challenges to cotton production,” Felicity said.
“This openness and willingness of growers to share their knowledge was also my experience while working at Cotton Australia. Growers were tremendously giving of their time and experience.”
Felicity worked with Cotton Australia for nearly four years as a Policy Officer, focused on policy development and advocacy on the interactions between coal seam gas, mining and cotton production. She has also consulted across federal and state governments working on agricultural research for development projects, and most recently delivered advice on natural resource management issues as an advisor with the Natural Resources Commission.
Shakira is joining CRDC from AUSVEG, bringing a strong background in plant pathology and biosecurity, and an advanced science degree from La Trobe University.
In her role as a project manager at AUSVEG, Shakira worked with CRDC and the cotton industry on the iMapPESTS project, trialling new technology to detect airborne pests and diseases.
“My involvement with the cotton industry through the iMapPESTS program left a very strong and lasting impression,” Shakira says.
“The collaborative spirit and commitment to innovation were truly remarkable. I was struck by how engaged and unified the community was, and how willing they were to take on new and sometimes daring ideas.
“I finished that program hoping that I’d get the chance to work with the cotton industry again, and that experience was a major factor in my decision to apply for the Innovation Broker role.”
Shakira’s enthusiasm is obvious.
“I’m excited to immerse myself in the cotton industry and get out into the regions,” she says.
“I’m looking forward to learning the ins and outs of what it takes to produce quality Australian cotton and meeting the growers, advisors, and the wider community.
“Cotton-growing regions have some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in Australia, and I feel very lucky to be joining the industry. It’s a great feeling to know I’ll be able to contribute and support the industry as it continues to lead the way in agricultural innovation.”
“We are really looking forward to Shakira and Felicity joining our team – it’s always great to welcome people back to the industry, bringing their experience, knowledge and skills from other roles with them,” CRDC Executive Director Allan Williams said.
“Shakira and Felicity’s experiences working across agriculture, from research to project development, mean they are very well prepared in joining CRDC as Innovation Brokers.”
Felicity and Shakira will start in late September and join fellow Innovation Brokers Susan Maas, Dr Nicola Cottee, Rachel Holloway, Stacey Vogel and Elspeth Pearce (currently on maternity leave). The team is led by CRDC General Manager, Innovation, Dr Merry Conaty.
While welcoming new faces to CRDC, the team also bids farewell to two team members.
“We farewell CRDC Innovation Broker Nick Tomkins and wish him the best as he embarks on a role as Chief Operating Officer with start-up Just Meat Protein,” Allan said.
“I would also like thank Delece Hartnett, who has been an integral part of our executive support team, as she takes up a role with GrainCorp. Delece has provided outstanding support to the Board and executive team.”
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of CRDC's Spotlight magazine. You can read this edition online here, and subscribe for future editions here.
