Dairy Women’s Network Names 2026 Regional Leader Award Finalists
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
DWN says the role at their board table will provide a new opportunity and a next step on the leadership and governance journey for present and active members of the organisation.
Applications opened on 13 January 2022, with the first full 16-month term starting on 1 March.
The successful candidate will attend board meetings and Dairy Women’s Network events over the 16-month term while completing a targeted project focused on leadership or an industry challenge.
DWN chair Karen Forlong says the organisation is pleased to partner with AGMARDT, who are funding the pilot programme which provides the Associate Trustee with access to mentoring and external industry opportunities during the programme.
“Like many of us, AGMARDT have identified the potential of women in the industry who operate with purpose, and who are motivated to make change and craft transformation, to move into governance roles,” says Forlong.
“Our experience is that dairy women benefit from programmes that allow them to collaboratively discuss strategies and solutions while building self-confidence and learning new skills,” she adds, saying examples of this have been seen within DWN’s business groups.
“The aim now is to give women access to roles of increasing leadership and possibility.”
AGMARDT general manager Lee-Ann Marsh says the trust is ‘thrilled’ to support the development of the role and pilot programme.
“Not only will it provide learning opportunities for dairy women, enabling them to have greater impact in their sector, it will also offer a blueprint for other food and fibre organisations who recognise the value in growing future directors and in having fresh perspectives around their board tables,” Marsh says.
“We see this as a fantastic opportunity to grow our sector’s leadership through developing a best practice approach, while removing some of the barriers smaller organisations may face in establishing their own Associate Director programmes.”
Forlong adds that the programme brings the promise DWN sees in its members to the forefront, providing a pathway to build experience and confidence, and allowing them to develop a governance CV through actively participating in the governance framework.
“They can then take these experiences and skills to other roles and further opportunities, leading our industry into the future.”
