First woman head for NZ Young Farmers

Coppersmith (48) is currently a senior account manager with the accounting software company MYOB in Christchurch.

“The more woman chief executives we have the better; diversity is important,” she says.

“If the primary industries are to meet growth targets, they must connect with young women.”

“I’m hoping my appointment and having Ash-Leigh chairing our board will send a positive signal to women about our sector,” she says.

She has spent the past six years in management positions at MYOB. Prior to that she worked for DairyNZ, was a business development manager for LIC and an area manager for Fonterra in Timaru.

“Lynda has great relationship building skills, excellent business acumen and experience dealing with grassroots farmer issues,” said NZ Young Farmers board chair Ash-Leigh Campbell.

“That will stand her in good stead working with our membership and the organisation’s other key stakeholders.”

Coppersmith is married with two teenage children. Her daughter Sophie attends Christchurch Girls’ High School and has friends in the school’s TeenAg club which is run by NZ Young Farmers.

Outside of work, Coppersmith likes to travel and study.

“We’ve spent a bit of time travelling through Southeast Asia and we’ve lived in Australia,” she says.

Coppersmith is completing an MBA through the University of Canterbury.