Aqua Ceres is a private equity firm uniquely positioned in the agriculture sector. Founded in 2019, the investment partners collectively have more than 40 years of agricultural and farming experience, with a long history of harnessing technological advancements on their farms to increase yields, lower operating costs, conserve water, and mitigate risk. The team has deep domain expertise across the agriculture sector, in both annual crops and permanent crops. We are geographically diverse, with operations in the US, South America and Australia, bringing a global perspective to identify locally distressed and undervalued opportunities.

Sam Mitchell

Sam is a co-founder and partner of Aqua Ceres LLC. Sam is a farmer and, in addition to his own farms, founded and runs one of Australia’s largest and most reputable corporate farming consulting groups, where he has been actively managing and developing agricultural investments in Australia for large Australian and US institutional investors. Sam’s 20 years of farming and irrigation expertise have led his reputation to be one of Australia’s largest and most innovative farmers. Sam has a proven track record in accumulating, developing, and managing irrigated farmland and water entitlements. Sam holds undergraduate and post-graduate degrees from the University of Sydney and the University of New England.

Rod Parsley

Rod Parsley is the Co-Founder and Managing Member of Aqua Ceres, sourcing, managing, and investing in agricultural projects worldwide.  Formerly a Partner at Perella Weinberg Partners in New York, Rod managed the firm’s $500 million Sustainable Resources strategy, investing in agriculture, water, and clean energy.  Prior to joining Perella Weinberg, Mr. Parsley was Portfolio Manager of The Water Fund LP, investing in advanced irrigation systems, desalination, treatment and purification technologies, and water infrastructure.  e has extensive experience in securities valuation, private equity, capital structure, and risk management and was previously a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company.  r. Parsley received a Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College and a Master in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.

James Pringle 

James is currently the CFO/COO of the US operations of Aqua Ceres LLC.  James has spent 25 years in operations, administration, and compliance for several hedge funds, including 15 years as Managing Director of Trading and Operations of Giovine Capital Group, a large Los Angeles-based multi-billion dollar Global Long/Short Equity Hedge Fund.  James is currently responsible for managing financial reporting, compliance, and company operations for Aqua Ceres.  James holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and an MBA from the University of Houston.

Moira Pasquali

Moira is currently the CFO/COO for the Australia Water Fund and Australia Water Fund II. Moira has nine years of experience as the General Manager of Finance and Accounting for one of Australia’s largest Agriculture Investment Management Firms, where she worked for the firm’s Water Investments and the Nature Conservancy. She was a liaison with water brokers, State Government Representatives, bankers, and institutional investors. Moira holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Business Management from Deakin University, Victoria, Australia.

Amanda Fisher 

Amanda is currently the CFO of Wealthcheck Group of Companies, which runs the Australian operations for Aqua Ceres LLC. Prior to this role, Amanda managed her own business, providing CFO and accounting services to a select group of clients, primarily in the Australian agribusiness. Amanda is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand association with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Kirsten Ross 

Kirsten is an Investment Director at Aqua Ceres LLC.  Kirsten has over 20 years of experience in both corporate and advisory roles across Corporate Governance, Finance, Audit, Risk & Compliance, and Human Capital.  Kirsten was most recently the practice lead of Corporate Governance and Private Markets for the AMEA region for Aon, advising Boards on trends and strategic communications.  Prior to this, Kirsten worked with Hastings Funds Management in the joint role of Consultant to the Board and Chief of Staff to the CEO.  Kirsten is a CFA Charter holder and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand with a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.