Contributors
Dr Ruby Chan
Dr Ruby Chan is a Project Researcher based at the School of Design, RMIT University, Melbourne. Her research practice sits at the intersection of design and sustainability. Research themes include food waste, packaging, consumer practices and industry practices. Her research has been published in academic journals and industry reports.
In 2023 she completed a PhD on packaging to reduce household food waste under the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Save Food Packaging Design Criteria and Framework project. In 2017 she won the Green Innovators Award at the National Sustainable Living Festival for her patented compostable takeaway containers.
In 2024, she contributed to the National Date Labelling and Storage Advice and the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Sector Action Plan Chapter research projects under the End Food Waste CRC Reduce program.
James Sinclair
James Sinclair is the CEO of Signature Hospitality Group, which operates brands such as The Sporting Globe Bar & Grill, TGI Fridays (Australia), and WJWills Eatery.
Jamie Shostak and Michael MacRae
Michael MacRae is director and co-founder of Appetiser Apps. Originally hailing from Germany, Michael founded his first mobile app company, amii Solutions, while studying at RMIT University in Victoria. He found early success with one of his first apps, First Time Pregnancy, which gained over half a million users within the space of a few weeks. Another app, GEAVI, aimed to reduce violence against women and earned a $17M US/AU patent from Telstra.
After meeting his eventual co-founder Jamie Shostak at the coffee machine at their shared co-working space, Michael was inspired to launch what is now Australia’s fastest-growing app development agency: Appetiser Apps. The agency now boasts four offices globally with over 100 members of staff across three continents and clients including YouFoodz and Sushi Train.
Jamie Shostak is co-founder and head of growth at Appetiser Apps, Australia’s fastest-growing app development agency. At 19, Jamie launched his first growth marketing agency, Webhype, which he grew to over half a million dollars in annual revenue over the space of a few short years.
In 2016, a chance encounter with his eventual co-founder, developer Michael MacRae, set the wheels in motion for Jamie’s next venture: Appetiser Apps. With Jamie’s marketing expertise and Michael’s developing know-how, the pair were able to successfully launch what is now Australia’s fastest-growing app development agency. The company has grown to a team of over 100 with offices across three continents, along with awards including the Deloitte 2019 Fast Starter, Young Entrepreneur of the Year and SmartCompany 30 Under 30.
Jane Edwards
BBS Communications Group Executive Chairman Jane Edwards is one of Australia’s most prominent business leaders, having served on numerous boards and committees. Under Jane’s expert guidance, BBS had worked to boost the profile and business prowess of retailers like Domino’s Pizza, Retail Food Group, Eagle Boys Pizza, Darrell Lea and Hardy Brothers Jewellery.
Jeff Vassel
For the past five years, Jeff Vassel has been the Global Business Development Manager for Geotech.
Founded in 2004, Geotech is a data analytics and strategy company that works with both franchised and on franchised retailers in Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia & the US. It provides science-based models and tools to assist retailers in better understanding what drives store sales performance.
Geotech has access to a range of data sets that help underpin profitable network growth planning and consult to a number of international brands including McDonald’s, KFC, Nandos & Taco Bell.
Vassel works closely with clients to help drive better location planning decisions that assist property, operations and marketing across the retail spectrum.
John Moyes
International franchise consultant
Mobile: +61433386314
Josh Franklin
Josh Franklin has more than 20 years of experience leading cutting edge food & beverage, retail and payments technology startups, scale-ups and global multi-nationals. Josh has a wealth of industry knowledge and experience in everything from POS Systems to omni-channel payment solutions and is deeply passionate about removing the complexity from this often fragmented space.
Kari Hensien
As Senior Vice President of Quality Management at FranConnect, Kari is responsible for the overall strategy, vision and execution of RizePoint, FranConnect’s quality assurance software solution. Kari works to ensure RizePoint is a dedicated partner in helping customers drive continuous improvement to product quality and client experiences.
Previously Kari has had over 25 years of software product and customer leadership positions at Workfront, Optimum Energy, and Microsoft to name a few.
