BOARD of DIRECTORS

Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia's Board is comprised of highly experienced individuals who share a passion for Australia's food and wine offering and for the role experiences can play in people's lives.

Director & Chair - Matthew Cameron-Smith

After three years as a Director on the UWEA board, Matthew was appointed as Chair and Director, succeeding Nick Baker. With over 30 years in the tourism industry, he continues to lead as the CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, a position he assumed in July 2020. During his distinguished career, Matthew spent seven years at The Travel Corporation as Managing Director, significantly contributing to the development of strategic vision, values, and corporate objectives, across multiple brands including AAT Kings, Trafalgar, and Costsaver Australia. His extensive background also encompasses influential roles with Tourism Australia and a seven-year tenure at Rydges Hotel and Resorts, where he played vital roles in business development and global leisure sales.

Director - Andrew McDowell

Andrew is currently the Head of Brand Homes at Vinarchy, and with over three decades of leadership, Andrew's career reflects a deep commitment to elevating customer experience and driving business success. Most recently as Head of Brand Homes ANZ at Accolade Wines and now at Vinarchy, he has led some of Australia & New Zealand’s most recognised wine destinations, delivering immersive brand experiences that blend world-class wine with tourism excellence. Earlier, Andrew made his mark as the transformative General Manager and Company Secretary of the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron, plus over a decade of shaping the future of hospitality as a Lecturer in Wine and Hospitality at the International College of Hotel Management, Le Cordon Bleu and TAFE in Adelaide, mentoring the next generation of industry leaders. His experience also includes owning and managing landmark hotels across Adelaide and Byron Bay, to running his own consultancy.

Director - Jessica Carpenter

Graduating with First Class Honours in Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance from the University of Technology, Sydney, Jessica began her 15 year career in investment banking, specialising in credit and market risk management in financial and equities markets at Westpac and ABN Amro Bank. After starting a family in 2009, she took the opportunity to enter the growing family business and now oversees all financial and operational aspects of the Agnew Wines business and the associated commercial and tourism operations. Jessica is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Director - Heidi Williams

Heidi’s role in the family business started when she was at university studying law. Planting olive trees and lifting wires in the vineyard on her summer holidays. Fast forward a few years and she left her law career in Melbourne and moved to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula to help open Montalto. What started as a small family business grew quickly over the years, and Heidi’s involvement has grown over time, spanning all commercial aspects of the business over the years, interspersed with raising a family. After a couple of years as CEO, Heidi now sits on the board of Montalto and works with the family and the team to guide this very special business.

Director - Amanda Behre

Amanda is an experienced executive marketing and commercial partnerships leader with almost 20 years’ experience specialising in travel and tourism, ecommerce and digital marketplaces. Amanda holds a decade of international experience leading marketing and product development in North America for Stella Travel Services, including Qantas Vacations, with previous roles including marketing and partnerships leader at Wotif, lastminute.com.au and Qantas Holidays in Sydney. For the past three years, Amanda was CMO of Gumtree, managing consumer and B2B marketing, communications, growth marketing, CRM, marketing automation and technology, managing a database of over 7 million consumers. She has led teams spanning Australia, Europe and North America. Amanda is a seasoned speaker, panellist and judge across marketing, tourism and customer experience publications including B&T and Mumbrella. 

Director - Stepan Libricky

Stepan’s experience spans more than 27 years of senior executive management roles within the luxury tourism and hospitality sectors. From 5-star city-based hotels across multiple countries and continents to iconic regional luxury tourism destinations, especially in iconic Australian wine region. Throughout his entire career he has focused on the customer journey and developing emotionally binding engagement with customers to create an everlasting brand bond. Prior to his current role, Stepan was the co-founder and co-owner of a luxury destination management company tailoring bespoke, engaging wine and food focused travel itineraries for high and ultra-high value customers. He has also run a consultancy working with private clients, state tourism organisation and Wines Western Australia, specifically on developing International Tourism Capabilities Program; plus led tourism and hospitality at major wine brands such as Leeuwin Estate and Xanadu Wines prior. 

Director - Dana Ronan

Dana is a seasoned strategic advisor and board member with a diverse work history spanning tourism/hospitality, manufacturing, and healthcare. She is skilled in leadership, marketing, marketing & business strategy, digital transformation, customer/patient experience and value-based healthcare. Dana is a strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Business (Economics & Marketing), further qualifications in direct and data driven marketing, customer experience, Indigenous cultural awareness, partnerships and social value creation.  Dana is a design thinking facilitator, lives in regional Victoria and loves sparkling wine and a good Chardonnay.