Following an extensive corporate career, in early 2000 Monica travelled to Indonesia with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to deliver an aid program to children living in poverty. The experience challenged her assumptions about the meaning of success and how she could make a greater contribution with her life. On returning to Australia and witnessing food related illnesses amongst children and an abundance of over processed, heavily marketed children’s foods, Monica launched Whole Kids. Whole Kids has since grown to become Australia’s largest range of organic, plant based, allergen friendly and additive free snacks for children, the proceeds of which are funding kids health and environmental projects around the world. Monica is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading female entrepreneurs and has received many awards for her achievements including Conscious Company’s World-Changing Women, Remodista Women2Watch in Business Disruption, Australian Small Business Champion Entrepreneur, Westpac Top 100 Women of Influence, Fairfax Media’s Top 9 Most Influential Female Entrepreneurs in Australia and NAB Women’s Agenda Emerging Entrepreneur.

Monica will be part of Food and Nutra for Kids and Teens session on Day 1.