Dynamic foodservice professional wins FSAA Scholarship
Congratulations to Silvia Smarrelli, who received the 2023 Foodservice Suppliers Association Australia (FSAA) Annual Scholarship on Tuesday night, at a gala event attended by 450 foodservice professionals held at Doltone House in Sydney.
This prestigious scholarship was established 10 years ago to recognise and reward an outstanding employee at a member company who is worthy of professional development. The recipient receives an intensive program valued at $20,000, including a five-day residential course at the respected Melbourne Business School, part of the University of Melbourne.
A panel of three independent business professionals first narrowed the applications to an elite shortlist of finalists that included Ms Smarrelli, Senior Brand & Activation Manager at Bega Cheese; Gozde Ercan, Area Executive at Nestlé Professional; Abby Fleming, National Channel Lead at Goodman Fielder Food Service; and Richard Miguelez, Account Manager at Noumi. “Once again we received some outstanding applications for this scholarship, which is exclusive to our members,” says FSAA Chief Executive Minnie Constan. “The selection panel said Silvia stood out for her dynamic business acumen, leadership potential, and proven ability to implement product and brand innovation and in-market execution within the foodservice sector.”
Before joining Bega Cheese in 2022, Ms Smarrelli worked with Simplot Australia, moving swiftly up the ranks from Product Manager to Brand Manager, then Customer Activation Manager. She also previously held roles at Top Cut Foods and global agricultural company AGCO Corporation. “I am sure Silvia will use this opportunity to elevate her already illustrious career, and I look forward to seeing how she uses the strategic business knowledge and leadership skills she learns at this renowned executive education institution in her role at Bega Cheese,” says Ms Constan.
The Melbourne Business School’s Leadership Program is a deep dive into key business areas, nurturing a holistic understanding of management and decision-making skills across finance, business excellence, innovation, leadership, marketing, and operations.
“This scholarship is also a pathway to our Think Tank initiative, which is examining sustainability issues within the foodservice sector,” adds Ms Constan. “In nurturing the leaders of tomorrow, FSAA hopes Silvia will go on to inspire and mentor others in our association as it seeks to enhance and drive the foodservice industry forward.”
Applications for the next annual FSAA Scholarship are invited from February 2024 and open to employees of member organisations. Go to fsaa.org.au/development-programs
FSAA, 12th September 2023
