The Team

Joanne Howarth

JOANNE HOWARTH

Founder & Social Entrepreneur

Joanne is the CEO Planet Protector Packaging. Boasting a successful entrepreneurial track record, it is her vision and leadership that drives the company. In addition to a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney and an MBA from University of Technology Sydney, Joanne has 25 years’ experience in the food and beverage sector.

Always self-employed, Joanne has established a number of businesses including, Boxed to Go Foodservice Logistics, People on the Go, and a multitude of other service and retail businesses.

Peter Hofbauer

Peter Hofbauer 

Chairman & Board Member

Peter has 25 years’ history in the hotel management space (Hyatt International, Sheraton Hotels, Park Royal) and 5 years owning independent Hotel properties.

In addition, Joanne and Peter have a successful entrepreneurial track record co-owning restaurant, catering, and event businesses (Arizona Restaurants and Bars, Fishermens Wharf Seafoods). Peter’s business acumen, maturity and experience provides the knowledge base that underpins our business strategy and decision making.

Bernadette Scarfe

Bernadette Scarfe

Head of Pharmaceuticals

As a registered pharmacist, Bernadette was a Quality Manager, which instigated her passion for cold chain validation. It quickly became apparent to her that there were numerous deficiencies in the distribution of temperature sensitive products including temperature breaches, poor performance and the extensive use of unsustainable materials. Bernadette joined Planet Protector to connect companies all around Australasia and beyond with an innovative, validated and sustainable cold chain solution.

Roger Hugelshofer

Roger Hugelshofer

Business Development QLD

Roger was born in Switzerland and worked most of his life in sales. In 2010, after Roger graduated from Kaderschulen, Zurich with Bachelor of Sales he moved from Zurich to Sydney, Australia. Since then, he has worked for some of Australia’s most iconic brands like Telstra and Toll. Based in Queensland, he works as a Business Development Manager focusing on market growth and managing key accounts.

Roger’s free time is spent in the air, doing competitive wingsuit flying and skydiving. Roger now lives on the Sunshine Coast with his family.

Svetlana Roshchupko

Svetlana Roshchupko

Financial Controller

Svetlana is Planet Protectors financial whiz, having been a Chartered Accountant for over 20 years. She is responsible for managing accounting records, evaluating and managing risk, financial statements, analysing financial data, monitoring expenditure and forecasting revenue.

Svetlana holds a Bachelor of Commerce in accounting from University of Western Sydney. She is mother to three gorgeous children and is a dedicated dance Mom!

Lars M. Ljung

Lars M. Ljung

Sustainability Manager

With qualifications in business management and environmental sustainability, Lars’ experience includes working as a research assistant for Manly Environment Centre and Environmental Coordinator for Kenya Sustainability Advisors. His duties span from conducting environmental impact assessments, initiation of environmental management systems and undertaking product research and development. Lars oversees several major research projects for Planet Protector as well as advising clients on sustainable best practice.

In his free time Lars enjoys rock climbing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Ram Madireddy

Ram Madireddy

Warehouse Manager AUS

Ram oversees the manufacture of Planet Protector Australia’s products for quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness. His strong attention to detail is crucial to maintain warehouse inventory, timely customer dispatch and receival of goods. Ram holds engineering degrees from Vellore Institute of Technology and University of Technology
Sydney.

Ram is a budding entrepreneur, owning two Indian restaurants in Sydney and newly married to his wife, Charitha.

Zoe Davidson

Zoe Davidson

Marketing & Social Media Manager

Zoe is the branding, content creator and artistic direction across all external documents, social media and product offerings. She has a degree in visual communication from Billy Blue School of Graphic Design and Swinburne University.

Prior to working with Planet Protector Packaging, Zoe was working overseas for NGOs and social enterprises in such countries like Swaziland (Africa), Thailand, Taiwan and Nepal. She specialised in working with women and minority-based organisations. She has a keen interest in Permaculture and enjoys rock climbing and salsa.

Rana

Raghbendra Rana

Special Projects Coordinator

As Special Projects Manager, Rana assists the senior team in tasks relating to R & D, operations and maintaining business systems. Rana has completed a BBA in International Business from Sharda University and Level 7 Diploma– Business Innovation from ICL Business School.

In his free time he enjoys everything outdoors and cheering on Liverpool FC.

Pierre Pienaar

Pierre Pienaar

Advisory Board Member

Pierre has worked in the packaging industry for over 34 years, beginning in pharmaceutical packaging. He established PackTech Solutions Pty Ltd in 2002 to provide advice on packaging concept design, package development, materials selection, component sourcing, cost reduction and promotional packaging development.

Pierre has a MSc in Packaging Engineering and Technology and a Masters in Production Management. He is currently the President of the World Packaging Organisation and has a national and international network of packaging material suppliers, converters and packaging worldwide. Pierre is constantly travelling the world but looks forward to spending time at home in Queensland with his newly arrived first grandchild.

Nikolas Olsson

Nikolas Olsson

Advisory Board Member

A native of Sweden, Nikolas advises Planet Protector on business development, financial modelling, business scaling and planning. Nikolas helped grow well-known brand The Iconic from start-up to national company, as well as founded Balto, successful logistics company and Premonition logistical software.

Nikolas holds an undergraduate degree in Industrial Design Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology and a masters degree in Entrepreneurship and Finance from the University of NSW.

Dr Garth Carnaby

Dr Garth Carnaby CNZM

Scientific Advisor

Dr. Garth Carnaby CNZM, a leading international textile physicist, provides Planet Protector with expertise on the use of wool and the physics of the various fibres. We feel particularly privileged to have someone of Garth’s calibre advising on our research and development projects. He currently provides research, governance, consultancy and strategic advice services in the science, agriculture, manufacturing, food and wool fields. He is a past-President of the Royal Society of New Zealand and former Chair of the Marsden Fund Council.

Contact Planet Protector

AUSTRALIA
40 Egerton Rd
Silverwater
NSW 2128

NEW ZEALAND
1 / 85 Onehunga Mall Rd
Onehunga
Auckland 1061