Simon J. Costa

Simon John Costa (born 9 February 1967 in Geelong) is an Australian business executive, philanthropist, and humanitarian. He served as the chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director of the Costa Group from 2004 to 2010. He has also held executive roles in nonprofit humanitarian organisations such as the United Nations World Food Programme and the Bluearth Foundation. He has most notably implemented procedures for increasing crop production and reducing post-harvest crop losses for farming communities in Africa.

In 2024 he was awarded the Global Leadership Coach of the Year for his development of business leaders and innovative executive coaching.

Early life and education Costa was born on 9 February 1967 in Geelong. He completed his secondary education at Assumption College, Kilmore, where he was a boarder from 1981 to 1985. He participated in sports at Assumption College before he suffered a near fatal head injury on the playing field in 1984, causing an early retirement from sports. He also holds an MBA from Monash University. Costa serves as the president of the Assumption College Old Collegians. but stepped down as CEO of the Costa Group at the end of 2010. The Costa Group was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in July 2015.

In 2012 Costa stepped away from all corporate responsibilities to focus on finding solutions for starvation and poverty in developing countries. Costa volunteered with the United Nations to help improve the lives of farming communities in sub-Saharan Africa. A study conducted in conjunction with MIT University (Boston) and USAID revealed postharvest education and new technologies introduced by Costa’s team resulted in a 98% reduction in crop losses, resulting in reduced poverty and starvation in the region.

Philanthropy Costa has been involved in charitable initiatives throughout his career. He has served as an executive board member of VicRelief and Foodbank.

Humanitarian work In July 2008, Costa climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise funds for Sparrow Village, a treatment center for HIV infected children in South Africa. In 2019, Costa founded Inspiring Leader, an executive coaching firm where 100% of all fees are donated to charity.

In 2012, Costa volunteered for the United Nations World Food Programme as a food security advisor for Sub-Saharan Africa. He implemented a sustainable development strategy for increasing crop production and reducing post-harvest crop losses for farming communities in Africa.

In 2020, Costa initiated the Hope Project to rescue abused girls in Africa.

In 2025, Costa's work as an international humanitarian was featured in the book The Art of Humanity, celebrating 40 extraordinary Australians who have made significant contributions to the National Identity.

Personal life Costa family are descendants of Italian and Irish immigrants who moved to Australia in the 1880s. Costa's forefathers originally arrived in Geelong, Victoria, where they founded a retail shop called Covent Garden, dealing in fruits and vegetables. This store served as the primary family business until the 1960s. During that time, Costa's father, Adrian, and his uncle, Frank, decided to expand their business into wholesaling fresh produce. In 1972, Adrian and Mary Costa, his parents, died in a car accident, leaving Costa and his three siblings orphaned.

Awards and recognition 2006: Australian Agribusiness Leader of the Year. 2015: United Nations WFP Global Innovation Challenge Award for the Most Impactful Humanitarian Innovation 2016: Assumption College Kilmore Hall of Excellence 2018: United Nations WFP Innovation Challenge Award. 2019: Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to business and humanity 2024: Global Leadership Coach of the Year for excellence in executive development