#GeorgeTalks - Food is Medicine

Speakers

• Prof. Jason Wu, Program Head of Nutrition Science at The George Institute

  Professor Jason Wu is the Head of the Nutrition Science Program at The George Institute and a Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at UNSW Sydney. He has a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and MSc in Biostatistics, receiving his post-doctoral training in nutrition epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. Jason's research and teaching focuses on reducing diet-related diseases through implementing innovative ‘Food is Medicine’ interventions, modelling the impact of population-level food policies, and determining the role of dietary factors for cardiometabolic diseases prevention and treatment. Jason's research has been published in top medical and nutrition journals including Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, BMJ, Circulation, and American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. He has over 150 publications and has received many highly competitive awards, fellowships and grants, with total research funding of more than $14 million to date.

  

• Jenn Madz, Strategic Health Partnerships Manager, Diabetes NSW & ACT

  Jenn Madz is the Strategic Health Partnerships Manager at Diabetes NSW & ACT. As a qualified Dietitian, Jenn works to facilitate practical partnerships between private enterprise, government, research institutes and advocacy groups to create realistic sustainable change in population health. Jenn has a 20 year career history in food and nutrition with a focus on shaping public health policy with food industry applications. With experience in FMCG, clinical settings, not for profits, schools, government, health facilities and work places, Jenn brings expertise in linking sectors for a systems approach to improving health outcomes. 

  

• Tristan Harris, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Harris Farm Markets

  Tristan Harris is Co-CEO of Harris Farm Markets P/L, Australia’s largest independent fresh food retailer. Tristan and his team are on a mission to grow the business by improving the total customer experience with great stores, great products, and great people. Tristan joined the business in 2006 after first gaining a broad spectrum of corporate and management experience in global telecommunications and then having run his own successful businesses in telecommunications and retail. Since joining Harris Farm Markets, he has been instrumental in delivering the growth and transformation of the business into one of the most exciting and innovative retailers in Australia. He also chairs a number of smaller food businesses in both the for profit and social enterprise sectors. Tristan holds an honours degree in Engineering, an MBA and is a Graduand Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

  

• Host: Matt Cross, Head of Government Relations & Stakeholder Engagement at The George Institute

  Matt Cross is the Head of Government Relations & Stakeholder Engagement at The George Institute. With over 15 years of experience in public policy, Matt was previously a management consultant at KPMG Australia, the National Government Relations Manager at The Property Council of Australia, and an adviser to two Premiers of NSW. Matt has degrees from Harvard University and the University of Sydney. Matthew is a Director of the St Ives Rotary Club, and supports Lifeline Australia, a leading national suicide prevention service. He has raised funds and awareness by running the 2022 Sydney Marathon and 2016 New York City Marathon, as well as trekking the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea in 2017.