CRDC has appointed respected agricultural industry leader Georgina Pengilley as its Managing Director, ushering in a new era of research, development and extension (RD&E) leadership for Australian cotton growers.
Dr Pengilley brings a unique end-to-end perspective to the role through a 25-year career spanning research investment, on-ground delivery, and her own experience as a farmer.
The Armidale-based leader will formally commence the role on Monday 27 July 2026, the week prior to the cotton industry's major biennial event, the CRDC-supported Australian Cotton Conference.
Chair Richard Haire said the CRDC Board was delighted to welcome Dr Pengilley to lead the organisation.
"Georgina is an experienced agricultural research leader, having operated at key parts of the system: as an investor in research, as a deliverer of it, and as a grower with skin in the game," Mr Haire said.
"That combination of scientific expertise, executive leadership and genuine grower credibility is exactly what CRDC needs as we look to the next chapter.
"She has a proven track record of translating RD&E investment into real, measurable outcomes for Australian agriculture, and we are confident she will build on CRDC's strong strategic foundations and continue delivering on Clever Cotton for the benefit of the entire industry."
Mr Haire also paid tribute to outgoing Executive Director Allan Williams.
"Allan grew up in the Australian cotton industry and has committed his career to it - the CRDC Board and Australia's cotton growers are deeply grateful for his service," Mr Haire said.
"Allan has dedicated over 30 years to leadership positions within key Australian and international cotton organisations - the Australian Cotton Growers Research Association, the then Cotton Consultants Australia (now Crop Consultants Australia), the Better Cotton Initiative, and, for the past 14 years, CRDC.
"The foundations he has laid position CRDC, our growers, and Georgina at the helm for an exciting next chapter. We would particularly like to acknowledge the long lead time Allan provided regarding his decision to step down from the role, which gave the CRDC Board time to plan thoughtfully for the future and to support a smooth and well‑managed transition from Allan's leadership to Georgina's."
Dr Pengilley's career spans executive leadership, RD&E investment governance, commercialisation and large-scale farming, having co-owned and operated an 8,300-hectare farming enterprise in Tasmania. She holds a PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of New England and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
She steps into the CRDC role from Rice Breeding Australia where, as CEO, she established a national breeding organisation and led the development of a $10M facility that reduced variety development timelines by nine years.
Dr Pengilley said she was honoured to lead an organisation at the heart of Australian cotton's future.
"My career has been driven by a simple principle: agricultural innovation only matters if it reaches the paddock faster, performs under pressure, and creates value for growers," Dr Pengilley said.
"CRDC is the engine room of that work for the cotton industry, and I am privileged to be the next person to lead it. Every dollar invested in research must deliver real, measurable outcomes on the ground - that is, and will continue to be, CRDC's mission.
"The challenges growers face around productivity, sustainability and profitability are not unique to cotton, and I'm excited to bring fresh eyes and broader agricultural experience to a corporation already doing exceptional work. The strategic direction CRDC has set is one I believe in deeply, and I can't wait to help drive it forward."
