Alison Stewart

About

Dame Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for services to plant science. Fellow of the Royal Society of NZ. Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Plant Pathology. CEO and strategic R&D leader with experience in governance, agribusiness, academia and commercial companies. Science innovator with more than 200 research publications and 300 technical reports. Successfully commercialized 6 biopesticides for control of plant diseases. Extensive experience in strategic R&D planning, operational management, budgeting, capital expenditure, science mentoring, business development and technology in-licensing. Key oversight of discovery and development platforms. Knowledge of IP protection processes. [email protected]

Experience

• Cellora Limited (1 yr 11 mos)
  • Chairperson of the Board
    Oct 2025 - Present · 9 mos

  • Scientific Advisor
    Aug 2024 - Oct 2025 · 1 yr 3 mos

    Biopesticide company

• BLIS Technologies Ltd. (8 yrs)
  • Chairperson of the Board
    Oct 2025 - Present · 9 mos

  • Director Board of Directors
    Jul 2018 - Oct 2025 · 7 yrs 4 mos

    Probiotics Company

• Board Member at Environmental Protection Authority NZ
  Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos

  Govt regulatory agency

• CEO at Foundation for Arable Research
  Mar 2018 - Jul 2025 · 7 yrs 5 mos

• General Manager Forestry Science at Scion (New Zealand Forest Research)
  Dec 2015 - Dec 2018 · 3 yrs 1 mo

  Starting my new job in mid January, officially taking over the GM role from mid February. Member of Executive Leadership Group. Oversight of production forestry including forest genetics, management (growth modelling, resource assessment, wood quality), environment/sustainability and protection (biosecurity, health, fire) activities