Leadership Team

Dianne Tipping

Chair

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Dianne has a long and varied career in international trade promotion and facilitation. Dianne Tipping is the founder and Managing Director of Excon International Pty Ltd. an Export Management Consultancy business that focuses on the management of Exports and International Projects on behalf of Australian Exporters throughout the world.

Dianne has spent over 35 years handling export transactions and during the early years worked for 2 large multi-nationals and later after opening her own company in 1982 worked with the same multi-nationals and others handling their export matters. Companies that she has dealt with since 1982 are still valued as part of her client base.

During the past 20 years Dianne has spent a great deal of time working with the Export Council of Australia and various other non-government and government agencies to teach and encourage exporters to achieve their global ambitions in a safe and secure way. Dianne is Chairman of the Education Committee.

As senior lecturer for the Export Council of Australia, she has had experience working with exporters and Government personnel in promoting the globalisation of Australia’s export potential.

Arnold Jorge

Chief Executive Officer

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Arnold is a former senior trade official, diplomat and consultant with over 20 years of experience in international trade, aid, entrepreneurship and marketing.

His previous positions included Principal Adviser with the Washington DC based Center for International Private Enterprise, Director of Aid for Trade in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy in Mexico City.

He represented Australia in global forums and trade negotiations, including in the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.

He is strategic in his approach and is focused on delivering results through innovation, collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and targeted influence of stakeholders.

He has a degree in Master of Business Administration, and is skilled in lean start-up and agile methodologies, and ‘aid for trade’ project design and management.

Angela Wright

Senior Manager
(Trade and International Development)

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Angela works with women led businesses and Indigenous businesses in building their capacity to undertake international trade. She is responsible for advancing issues in relation to inclusive trade, market diversification, supply chain resilience, and environmental sustainability.

Drawing on her firsthand experience in startup firms in the tourism and food and beverage industries, Angela assists entrepreneurs to be export ready and internationally competitive. She also works with officials to develop and implement programs that have led to practical outcomes. For both industry and government, she helps identify risks and opportunities, and facilitates innovative solutions to international trade challenges.

Angela is skilled in project management, international development, opportunity analysis, identification of market entry strategy, and development of business models. She has degrees in international business and languages. Angela has lived and worked extensively overseas including in Japan, China, and Malaysia. She speaks English, Japanese and Mandarin.

Stefanie Harter

Senior Manager
(Export Capability)

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Stefanie is responsible for developing content and interactive training offerings for key Australian businesses, industry bodies, and governments.

Over the past two years, Stefanie has managed trainings for both the public and private sector, having worked closely with NSW Government, Trade and Investment Queensland, Export Finance of Australia, Austrade, and hundreds of Australian exporters.

Stefanie completed her Master of International Business at the University of Sydney in 2019, having specialised in export and risk management.

Karmen Rai

Senior Graphic Designer
/ Brand Manager

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In 2017, Karmen began her journey with the Export Council of Australia as a freelance graphic designer. A year later, she embraced a part-time role, officially becoming a part of the team.

At the ECA, Karmen collaborates closely with different departments, crafting creative solutions for a range of mediums including digital and print, publications, logo design, event collateral/branding, and more.

Peter O’Byrne

Chair, National Advisory Board,
Export Council of Australia

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Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Business and Economics, Macquarie University

Member, advisory boards of International Governance and Performance Research Centre (IGAP), Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, and South Asia Forum.

As a professional Company Director, Peter is widely involved in Australia’s commercial engagement around the world at a policy and service delivery level. His board roles have included the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (Efic), the NSW Export and Investment Advisory Council, the Australia India Business Council, Australian Hearing Services and Reckitt & Colman subsidiaries across Asia.

Peter’s executive roles have included Managing Director of Austrade, Chief Executive of Australian Hearing Services (including the National Acoustics Library), Regional Director of Reckitt & Colman Asia as well Strategy Director, Reckitt & Colman PLC. He has worked in London, Jakarta and Singapore, as well as Australia.

Leadership Team