4 Minutes with…Larissa Rose, Managing Director, Queensland Renewable Fuels Association

Tell us about your company and it’s role in the Advanced Bioeconomy.

The Queensland Renewable Fuels Association (QRFA) is a member-based industry organisation focused on growing the renewable fuels sector by facilitating end-to-end collaboration for investment, innovation and education.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

QRFA Managing Director Larissa Rose has extensive professional experience in renewable fuels, the economic viability of biofuels, and environmental sustainability.

Larissa played a pivotal role in successfully lobbying for the Queensland Government’s Liquid Fuel Supply (Ethanol and Other Biofuels Mandate) Amendment Act 2015. She worked closely with key political stakeholders to deliver a policy-based approach to biofuels in the State of Queensland. A career spanning grassroots engagement to high-level political negotiations has provided Larissa with a definitive understanding of gaps and hurdles that must be addressed to facilitate the development of a robust renewable fuels industry for both Queensland and Australia. Hence her decision to form a state-based industry body committed to the role of renewable fuels — now and into the future — for Australia and the world. As the founder of QRFA, Larissa has demonstrated her commitment to delivering industry outcomes.
*Federal and State policy that supports and develops a robust renewable fuel industry and drives forward the bioeconomy sector

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?   

*Demand side – Seeing corporate and big business take a big role in fuel offtake and partnership alignments with fuel producers

*Stronger connectivity of the supply chain

*Global collaboration and leadership input
Policy – Fuel exemptions and regulatory frameworks

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change? 

The capacity for Australia to displace its fossil fuel dependency through the domestic production of biofuels/renewable fuels.

Of all the reasons that influenced you to join the Advanced Bioeconomy industry, what single reason stands out for you as still being compelling and important to you?   

Where are you from?

Brisbane Born and grew up camping at the beach every school holidays on Fraser Island (east coast of Queensland, Australia).

What was your subject focus (e.g. major) in university (undergraduate and/or graduate, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway?

Masters in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development – major in biofuels and economic viability

University: Bond University, Gold Coast Queensland Australia. Private independent uni that supported specific research thesis themes.

Who do you consider your mentors – could be personal, business, or just people you have read about and admire. What have you learned from them?  

Gary Vaynerchuk – Discipline, Tenacity, Growth and working on the offense!

What’s the biggest lesson you ever learned during a period of adversity?   

The value and significance of taking the time to step back in the moment of adversity to be able to assess and reflect with a solution orientated mind.

What hobbies do you pursue, away from your work in the industry?   

Surfing

Pilates/Yoga

What books or articles (excluding The Digest) are on your reading list right now, or you just completed and really enjoyed?   

*Gary Vaynerchuk – Crushing It!: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence
*Alex Malley – The Naked CEO

What’s your favorite city or place to visit, for a holiday?  

*Beach camping in Australia
*Visiting the city of Melbourne and walking the city alleyways full of food and wine