Appointment of Director of Communication and Outreach – Zita Ritchie

June 19, 2025

The CEO of the Crawford Fund for Food Security, Shaun Coffey, has today announced the appointment of Zita Ritchie as the Fund’s new Director of Communication and Outreach, effective from August 2025.

“Zita brings a combination of global experience, sector knowledge, and strategic communication expertise. Her commitment to inclusive, evidence-based agricultural development will strengthen our engagement with stakeholders across research, policy, and practice,” Mr Coffey said.

Zita has held a range of senior roles across government, international organisations, and research institutions. At NSW Department of Primary Industries, she managed the $6.1 million Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program and contributed to ACIAR-led projects and industry policy development.

Her previous positions include Senior Policy Analyst with Agriculture Victoria, Food Security Officer with the FAO in Ethiopia, and Development Coordinator on the IndoDairy project in Indonesia. She has also consulted for IFC, Nestlé, and Fonterra, delivering training in Pakistan and Indonesia, and began her career supporting food security programs with the Kenya Red Cross.

Zita holds a Master of International and Community Development (Deakin), a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience with First Class Honours (Sydney), and several specialist certifications. She was a Crawford Fund Scholar in 2014 and an active member of RAID.

“She understands the importance of connecting research to real-world impact — and we are delighted to welcome her into the Crawford Fund for Food Security family,” Mr Coffey said.