Cellular Agriculture Australia Names Joanne Tunna CEO as Sam Perkins Steps Back

Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) has appointed Joanne Tunna as CEO, replacing Sam Perkins who has been in the role since 2022. Tunna has been with CAA since its inception and has served in various capacities within the organization. Perkins will stay involved as a strategic advisor until the end of the year and into 2027. The board believes Tunna's deep organizational knowledge and vision will lead CAA into its next chapter of growth.

The appointment of Tunna comes after CAA integrated alternative protein think tank Food Frontier, expanding its focus from cellular agriculture to plant protein ingredient supply. CAA's policy work has centered on federal investment, with a recent white paper outlining recommendations for policy settings, research, regulation, and infrastructure. The organization has also hired Ashley Mackinnon as Director of Policy & Advocacy, bringing expertise from conventional agriculture to engage constituencies skeptical of alternative protein products.