Dianne McGrath

Dianne is one of seven Australian shortlisted Mars One astronaut candidates in the remaining Mars 100. The Mars One mission seeks to establish the first permanent human settlement on Mars. It is a one-way journey.

What makes Dianne a suitable astronaut candidate? She is a leader, team player, project manager and creative problem solver. Her experience working in and managing teams in sales, marketing, emergency services and government provides her with a strong platform to work as a unit to deliver on outcomes. Dianne’s sense of adventure, determination and fitness has seen her sail tall ships in the southern ocean, cycle extreme distances, jump from planes, and run marathons and an ultra-marathon.

Dianne believes nothing is insurmountable. She has a special interest and growing expertise in sustainable food systems, something that will be critical in a completely new environment for human habitation. Dianne is a proficient public speaker who delivers engaging and dynamic talks to a variety of audiences from school children to corporates to space scientists/enthusiasts.

Dianne’s work experience has provided her with strong expertise in project management, marketing and government organizations in her time with the Australian Energy Regulator, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). While at GSK she won a global marketing award, and held numerous positions, including a global marketing position based in Europe where she was responsible for a $1billion (AUD) brand portfolio, and won a global marketing award.

Dianne leads a purposeful life that seeks to create better environmental outcomes. Towards this goal, she is currently the Director of the sustainability and business consultancy, Food for Thought Consulting Australia.

Passionate about sustainable food systems, she is also a Director on the boards of three not-for-profit organizations that operate in the food sustainability/community food space: Cultivating Community, 3000 acres and the Open Food Network.