Meet the Team

Kayla joined the AgCAREERSTART team in January 2022 to spearhead the program as Project Manager. She oversees the delivery of the gap-year program and is passionate about welcoming more young people into agriculture. Originally from a family beef and cropping farm in QLD, Kayla has managed several agricultural careers, education, and capacity building projects nationally, and has extensive experience in designing and implementing agricultural pathway programs. Kayla holds qualifications in Public Relations, Human Resource Management, and Business Law, and she also runs her own agriculture podcast for youth and won Western Australian Young Achiever of the Year – Agriculture in 2020.

Connect with Kayla on LinkedIn.

Mikaila joined the AgCAREERSTART team in February 2024 as the Community Engagement Coordinator. Mikaila is the first point of contact you’ll have during applications and throughout the matching phase. Wellbeing and engagement during your placement are Mikaila’s top priority with her conducting regular check-ins with Participants and Host Farmers throughout the year to ensure great on farm experiences. Hailing from a small property in the Fleurieu Peninsula, Mikaila specialises in people relations and talent engagement, with experience in ensuring high employee engagement. She is a passionate advocate for future proofing Australian Agriculture and educating youth about the endless opportunities within the industry.

Connect with Mikaila on LinkedIn.

Aimee joined the AgCAREERSTART team in January 2025 in time for O-Week as the Training and Career Development Coordinator. Aimee is the key contact for Participants as they upskill with training and industry engagement throughout their gap-year program. Aimee completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management through Charles Sturt University, and is based on her family’s mixed irrigation farm in southern NSW. Aimee has recently completed a Nuffield Australia Scholarship travelling around the world researching immersive education programs for the next generation entering food and fibre production.

Connect with Aimee on LinkedIn.

Claire joined the team in 2025 after completing a dual degree in Agricultural Science and Agribusiness at the University of Queensland. Growing up on a farm in Far North Queensland, she has had exposure to bananas, sugar cane and cattle. Here, Claire developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the agricultural sector. Passionate about creating a strong and sustainable industry, she is dedicated to helping young people find fulfilling paths within the field. As the Outbound Project Officer for AgCAREERSTART, Claire develops strong relationships with schools and the wider community to attract participants to the program and ensure they have all the information they need.

Connect with Claire on LinkedIn.