DWN unveils regional award finalists

The award was established in 2020 and is sponsored by FMG. It showcases inspirational women who demonstrate excellence at grass roots, leadership in their local community, and encompass Dairy Women’s Network’s values.

Dairy Women’s Network chief executive Jules Benton says it is “inspiring” to see the calibre of women providing leadership in the dairy industry and their communities.

“Each year the bar gets a little higher,” Benton says. “The dairy industry has traditionally been seen as male driven. These women are turning this stereotype on its head. They exemplify the DWN values and are making positive changes in their communities, and in the agriculture sector as a whole.”

The Regional Leader of the Year award will be announced on Thursday 2 May at the Gala dinner of DWN 2024 Conference.

The recipient will receive a registration to the Dare to Lead programme based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown.

Leilani Lobb

Contract milker and Canterbury DWN Regional Leader Lobb grew up on a dairy farm.

She went on to complete a Bachelor of Agriculture at Lincoln University and then put her knowledge to work, working at the assistant manager/2IC on a 180ha, 700-cow farm near Ashburton.

A strong advocate for female farmers in the industry, Lobb is described as solution-focused and passionate about both dairy and Dairy Women’s Network.

She puts her “hand up for everything from applying for funding and collateral to coming up with ideas for events and attending everything we do”.

Rebecca O'Brien

In addition to sharemilking a 900-cow herd on two dairy farms, Eastern Bay of Plenty DWN Regional Leader O’Brien has proven instrumental to the organisation.

She mentors staff training with PrimaryITO, volunteers in her local community and is involved with the NZ Dairy Industry Awards.

Rebecca O'Brien

Her constant presence in the community, word-of- mouth marketing and her ability to network has been attributed to an increase in the number of participants at DWN events in the Bay of Plenty.

O’Brien and husband Scott were named Share Farmers of the Year at the 2022 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards and in that same year were awarded the DairyNZ People and Culture Award at the national level.

Laura West

A UK expat, West had never been on a farm until she moved to New Zealand and became a sharemilker.

In 2021, the pair purchased a farm, milking 210 cows in Taranaki.

She is described as someone who is dedicated to leading and encouraging other women to attend DWN events and seize opportunities within the sector.

Laura West