Experienced in the fields of policy research, editing, communications, and project management, Katie McRobert has been part of the Australian Farm Institute team since late 2017, holding roles as Senior Researcher and General Manager before becoming Executive Director in April 2024. Prior to joining the AFI, Katie worked as a global Content and Community Manager for Rabobank, liaising with farming clients to build knowledge banks, and as the National Editor for FarmOnline, overseeing seven digital rural news mastheads including The Land and Queensland Country Life.Katie has an MBA from Griffith University specialising in Sustainable Business.

She has also participated in the inaugural National Farmers’ Federation 2030 Leadership Program, is Chair of the CSIRO Drought Resilience Mission Advisory Group, and is a member of the NSW Environmental Trust Biodiversity Technical Review Committee, the federal Australian Agricultural Traceability Research and Development Working Group, the CSIRO Agriculture & Food external advisory group, and the NSW Farm Writers Committee.

At the AFI, Katie's role gives her the opportunity to deep dive into evidence-based policy research focused on the sustainability of agrifood systems – work she feels proud and privileged to be part of.