OUR TEAM
Veronica Papacosta
Co-Principal
Veronica Papacosta
Fish in the Family is a family owned fresh seafood retail and hospitality business currently operating 20 stores across NSW,QLD and ACT. Established in 1976, Fish in the Family is driven by a passion for quality and premium value proposition of predominantly Australian seafood and currently employs more than 200 people to meet the rapidly shifting retail environment and consumer expectations.
Veronica led the membership drive to establish SIA – The national peak body for Australian seafood representing the interests of the wildcatch, aquaculture and post-harvest sectors of the industry. Established in May 2017, SIA is the uniting voice of Australian seafood. Social licence, resource access, spatial squeeze and a response to climate change are key strategic activities of SIA. Veronica has led the organisation as Chief Executive Officer since 2020.
Veronica has a Bachelor of Economics (major in Marketing and Accounting) from Sydney University, a Diploma in Event Management from University of Technology, Sydney, a graduate of the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program (NSILP) and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.
Angela Williamson
Co-Principal
Angela Williamson
Angela is a senior leader in ocean and fisheries policy, ocean-related international relations and diplomacy, sustainable seafood production, offshore innovation, ESG and investor relations, and contemporary marine spatial planning.
She brings over two decades of experience working at the forefront of sustainable oceans governance, planning and policy across the government, political offices, the private sector, and the research community.
Angela is the co-designer of the nationally crucial ‘futures of seafood’ study, an industry driver of the International Freight Assistance Mechanism that supported the seafood industry cope with COVID challenges, inaugural leader of Australia’s support for the Coral Triangle Initiative and shepherded through the formal constitutional recognition of Tasmania Aboriginal peoples in the Tasmanian Constitution.
Her goal is to grow the ocean economy by elevating the role of sustainable food systems an integrated oceans governance.
Julie Petty
General Manager, Project & Policy
Seafood Industry Australia
Julie Petty
Julie Petty has more than 14 years’ project management experience working in Australian agriculture, predominately horticulture and red meat, and is now working with SIA as the Policy and Project Officer – Aquaculture.
Julie’s career path has given her the opportunity to dabble in several areas including animal traceability technologies, industry strategic planning and development, project management, communications and event organisation. Julie has on the ground experience with practical research, development and extension (RDE) theory from her work with the Australian goatmeat industry and Meat and Livestock Australia where she managed the goat RDE program.
Simon Wilcox
Projects Lead, Blue Policy & Planning
Blue Economy CRC
Simon Wilcox
Dr Simon Willcox is the Projects Lead – Blue Policy and Planning for the Blue Economy CRC.
Simon has a PhD in marine ecology from the University of Tasmania and has worked extensively across public and private sectors in natural and cultural resource management.
Simon is a strong advocate for sustainable and effective use of our aquatic resources and has over 25 years of experience working in project management, policy and legislation development, and regulation and assessment of industry. Simon has outstanding skills in stakeholder management and navigating to effective and strategic solutions in complex environments.
Simon has worked for the last 18 years in State Government in portfolio areas including: the Environment Protection Authority, the Parks and Wildlife Service, Marine Resources, Community Parnerships and Priorities and Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania, as well as a number of years as a Senior Advisor to the Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage. Prior to this, Simon was a researcher at the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute working working across a range of projects in sustainable fisheries management, marine habitat mapping and fisheries stock assessments.
Sarah Ulgade
Research Fellow
IMAS, University of Tasmania
Dr Sarah Ugalde
Sarah Ugalde Ph.D is an academic, enabler, and supporter of multidisciplinary and international projects and experiences relating to aquaculture and fisheries. As a Research Fellow at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Sarah leads and contributes to projects relating to the development and barriers of sustainable food production, including resourcing and capacity, food safety and regulation, market and supply chain disruptions, product development, and environmental impacts in a changing climate.
Sarah graduated from University of Canberra with a degree in Environmental Science. She holds a Ph.D in Antarctic science from University of Tasmania where she has received awards for communication and education, and has graduated from programs in leadership, directorship, and project management.
Sarah’s approach is collaborative, strategic, and uses networks to leverage knowledge at the research, industry, and government interface. Sarah has worked across molluscs, crustaceans, finfish, and other species both in Australia and internationally to work towards improving coastal and offshore systems for better and more secure food production.
Jessica McInearney
Head of Public Affairs & Sustainability
Petuna Aquaculture
Jessica McInearney
Innovative and results-driven leader with more than 15 years of experience in the Australian seafood and agriculture sectors, specialising in public affairs, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy. As a passionate advocate for the food and fibre industries, Jess has a proven track record of leading impactful initiatives that drive growth, enhance community engagement, and shape industry standards.
Her journey through diverse roles, including Engagement Manager for the Futures of Seafood study and strategic positions within Seafood Industry Australia and AgriFutures Australia, have equipped her with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our primary producers. This experience has fostered a strong ability to navigate complex policy environments, build consensus among diverse stakeholder groups, and articulate clear, compelling narratives that advance industry objectives. She is passionate about advocating for industry-friendly policies, ensuring that producer’s voices are heard and considered in key decision-making processes.
Jess is driven by a commitment to fostering resilient and thriving regional and rural communities, underpinned by sustainable and prosperous primary industries. She seeks to leverage her strategic insight, leadership skills, and industry expertise to contribute to meaningful change and innovation.
Dr Shane Roberts
Aquaculture, Biosecurity & Commercial Fisheries, DAFF
Dr Shane Roberts
Passionate about sustainable seafood, marine science and our blue planet. Over 20 years experience in fisheries, aquaculture & biosecurity (research and policy).
Aquaculture is the fastest growing primary industry in Australia! Aquaculture meets a number of SDGs by providing a low carbon protein to feed a growing global population, can provide ecosystem services, and supports regional economies.
Shane’s experience includes fisheries and aquaculture management, marine research, aquatic animal health & biosecurity, science based policy & regulation, science communication, emergency management and marine spatial planning. He prides himseld on effective leadership, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.
Dr Tania Lado Insua
Strategic Research Funding Manager
University of Tasmania
Dr Tania Lado Insua
Tania is a doctor in Ocean Engineering with ten years of experience in strategic management and analytics. She has successfully led several multidisciplinary teams and programs with a diverse range of stakeholders. Tania possess extensive experience in business development, finance and corporate operations, policy development, risk and change management from my background in SMEs as well as large organisations.
Her experience in leading applied programs translate ocean data into knowledge products co-developed and tailored for industry, government and community users.
Tania has worked in academic, industry and not-for-profit strategic leadership roles in Australia, USA, Spain and Canada. As an engineer, she is a critical thinker, action-oriented applied person with a lean and practical approach to problem solving.
