fbpx
Print this page
Wednesday, 12 June 2019 10:55

Rural women ‘are stepping up to lead’

Written by  Pam Tipa
Rebecca Keoghan. Rebecca Keoghan.

Rural women have stepped forward to take leadership positions in the last three to four years, says Rebecca Keoghan, 2018 Rural Woman of Influence.

“Some industry partners like Dairy Womens Network (DWN) have had a lot to do with that and the industry itself has started to understand what inspiring leadership means,” Keoghan told Dairy News.

The industry has encouraged and campaigned for women to take up new opportunities and positions, she says. They have always had many wonderful skills but haven’t necessarily put themselves forward.

“It has been fantastic to see. The last three or four years they have stepped forward massively.”

Keoghan was 2016 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year – a DWN award – and was named Rural Woman of Influence in October last year.

“The Women of Influence Awards is one of those things that helps -- sharing stories about people able to step outside their comfort zone and inspire other people to do the same.” 

There has also been a focus on the health and safety arena in the industry and making people aware that leadership is the key. “And often we find in the rural communities and agricultural businesses the females are more focussed on that.” 

But the whole industry has stepped forward in leadership, not just on the female side, she says. Rural people are being encouraged to share skills within their region and outside the industry. “Taking that step forward… it  is a real leadership journey that the industry has been on.” 

Nominations opened in late May for this year’s Woman of Influence Awards. She encourages anyone nominated to “go for it”.

“You don’t do it for recognition. You do it because you would like to see success in others.”  You inspire others, she says.

She has enjoyed that side to the award and the opportunity to speak around New Zealand.

And it has helped her own career progression -- an unexpected outcome. “Raising the profile of your own involvement by inspiring other people also helps when you are looking for new governance opportunities.”

Keoghan says she resigned earlier this as general manager of the Pamu Academy to focus on governance. Trying to do both was becoming too difficult.

“I had to stop and think where my actual focus was to be. My long term focus has already been looking to governance only – earning value, risk management and health and safety, leadership and culture as my specialities.”

She quit the Pamu executive role and became a director for Invercargill City Forests. 

She was already a Western Milk Products director, in her own business and managing a local dance studio.

On June 3 she was appointed deputy chair of Fire and Emergency NZ, a ministerial appointment.

Keoghan said she was able to focus on what she wanted because of the backing and motivation from some colleagues in the Women of Influence Awards and her other networks. 

'Grassroots to global'

Nominations for the Women of Influence Awards are open until July 15. 

A gala awards dinner on October 24 will be preceded by a new Speaker Series of five events held NZ-wide in August. 

World renowned fashion designer Karen Walker will headline the Auckland event. Other venues will be Tauranga, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch. 

Westpac NZ chief executive David McLean says the bank is proud to support the Women of Influence programme, including the Speaker Series aimed at bringing Women of Influence to a wider national audience.

“The theme of this year’s series is ‘From Grassroots to Global’, on the stories and ideas of women making their mark nationally and internationally and in their own communities and regions,” McLean says.

“From the farm gate to the fashion houses of Europe, each of us knows women who have inspired us by their words and deeds. These awards are a chance to give them the recognition and accolades they deserve.”

The 10 awards categories include arts and culture, board and management, business enterprise, community/not for profit, diversity, global, innovation and science, public policy, rural and young leader. 

www.womenofinfluence.co.nz 

More like this

DWN celebrates 25 years

Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) recently celebrated 25 years with 70 of its members and partners, past and present, at an event at Red Barn, Waikato.

DWN secures state funding

A Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) programme has been named as the recipient of two years of funding support from the Government.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as…

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand…

Machinery & Products

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.