The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Adelina La Vita to fill a casual vacancy until the 2027 Annual General Meeting, and Grace Collins as a Board Observer for a one-year term, effective immediately.
Adelina is an experienced Executive Leader and Board Director with a 30-year career spanning global corporations, government and the not-for-profit sector. Her expertise includes brand stewardship, strategic marketing, major event delivery, organisational transformation and industry advocacy.
Born and raised in Canberra, Adelina has held senior roles with the ACT Government, Engineers Australia, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Australian Food and Grocery Council, where she also served as Company Secretary. During her time with adidas in Germany, she led digital marketing across 37 countries and pioneered award-winning international campaigns.
Since becoming CEO of the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society in 2023, Adelina has led the organisation through a period of renewal, modernisation and growth. She oversees the Royal Canberra Show and is working to strengthen visitor experiences, member and volunteer engagement, and the profile of agricultural competitions and rural heritage ahead of the Show’s centenary in February 2027. Adelina is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Grace is the immediate past National Rural Ambassador (2025) and a passionate advocate for agricultural education and greater youth participation in the show movement. Her appointment as a Board Observer provides an opportunity to build on her industry experience by strengthening her understanding of governance and supporting her ongoing personal and professional development.
Grace holds a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of New England and is completing a Master of Teaching while working as the Agriculture teacher at Guyra Central School. Her previous roles include supporting students in the classroom and working as a Farm Assistant at schools in the New England region.
A highly experienced cattle exhibitor, Grace has prepared and presented cattle at major events including the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the Ekka and Beef Australia. She is President of the Herefords Queensland Youth Affiliation and has been a member of the Herefords Australia National Youth Committee. Her contribution to the industry has been recognised through her appointment as the 2024–25 HQYA Ambassador and receipt of the Herefords Australia Youth Travel Scholarship.
Grace has also organised agricultural events for school-aged participants, including the Northern Schools Prime Steer Competition and youth expos for Herefords Queensland and Herefords Australia. She is the founder of Stockyard Scarves, a creative small business producing neck scarves for protection from the sun and dust.
Through her National Rural Ambassador platform, Grace sought to strengthen partnerships between schools and local agricultural shows, improve access to agricultural education and promote careers across Australia’s food and fibre industries. She remains particularly committed to bridging the knowledge gap between urban communities and the origins of Australian food and fibre.
The Board warmly welcomes Adelina and Grace and looks forward to the valuable leadership, experience and fresh perspectives they will bring to their respective roles.