A
cohort of 12 skilled, talented and ambitious women, professionals in areas as
diverse as station management, animal science and international trade make up
this year’s NFF Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program.
Selected
from 100 applicants, the women will soon embark on an intensive one-on-one
mentoring program, to assist them to determine their leadership goals and the
role they want to play in the future of Australian agriculture.
“I’m
inspired that the Program, now in its fourth year continues to resonate with
women across Australia,” NFF President Fiona Simson said.
“The
success of Australian agriculture to date has hinged on men and women working
together on farm. However, providing a pathway for women to transcend to
leadership positions has not materialised as fast as it should have.”
Ms
Simson said in 2021, the Program was making a difference, creating the pathways
and networks needed to ensure gender parity in the roles that would shape the
agriculture of tomorrow. Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program
graduates have gone on to hold industry board positions and to be changemakers
within their sectors and communities.
Ms
Simson said the Program was underpinned by a group of more than 20 committed
partners, including government agencies, multi-national corporations, and farm
advocacy bodies.
“Our
Partners publicly pledge to make meaningful change towards gender diversity and
to report on the steps taken towards this goal.
“The
targets, plans and innovations Partners continue to put in place to ensure
female and male voices are heard equally are making a difference: from
introducing designated breast-feeding rooms; and more flexible work
arrangements to doing more to encourage and incentivise men to take parental
leave,” Ms Simson said.
2021 Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program Committed Partners:
AgForce; AACo; AgriFutures Australia; BASF; Bayer; CANEGROWERS; Coles; Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia; Cotton Australia; CPC; Federal Department of Agriculture, Water & the Environment; FMC; Grains Research & Development Corporation; nbn; NSW Farmers; Nufarm; Nutrien Ag Solutions; Prime Super; Rabobank; Rimfire Resources; Rural Bank; Syngenta; WFI & Wine Australia.
The
2021 Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program cohort will come to
Canberra in June for an introductory retreat, where they will meet each other,
their mentors and hear from inspiring speakers. The group will complete their
mentoring and graduate at the NFF’s National Conference in September.
“Like
in previous years, the Program attracted a high volume of very high calibre
applicants and I am left in no doubt that the future of our sector’s leadership
is bright, if as an industry we continue to foster the development of our
people,” Ms Simson said.
“I congratulate this year’s group and I look forward to getting to know these
12 outstanding women and supporting them on their leadership journey.”
The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program is a flagship initiative of the NFF and NFF’s goal to double the number of women in agriculture’s leadership by 2030, based on a 2018 benchmark.
See the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program alumni here
2021 Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program cohort
| Anna Harrison | Mungindi, NSW |
| Anna Hooper | Mitcham, SA |
| Brie Montgomery | Winmalee, NSW |
| Gillian Fennell | Marla, SA |
| Janice Liu | Gosford, NSW |
| Latarnie McDonald | Bendigo, VIC |
| Lucy Staughton | Gunnedah, NSW |
| Mary Vaughan | Mount Isa, QLD |
| Miffy Gilbert | Glen Iris, VIC |
| Prudence Cook | Dimboola, VIC |
| Sally Murfet | Sorell, TAS |
| Tracy Sullivan | Broome, WA |
(Pictured below from left in the above order)
