Top dairy woman award

The winner will be awarded a position on the prestigious Women in Leadership 12-month course run by Global Women. The $25,000 scholarship is sponsored by Fonterra Milk Supply.

The Women in Leadership course begins in September 2012 and will give the recipient 12 months of exposure to globally focused women in leadership roles across the business sector. The course features world-class presenters such as Jenny Shipley.

Dairy Women's Network chief executive Sarah Speight says the purpose is to profile and celebrate women who are making a real difference in the dairy industry, in their dairying businesses and in their communities.

Nominations are now open and close on February 24. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner at the Dairy Women's Network annual conference on March 21 in Rotorua.

"This award will recognise a woman who is demonstrating exceptional leadership in the dairy industry. But, it's not just about recognising one woman out of the thousands who are doing great things.

"Rather, it is our hope that the award encourages many more to get involved and make a difference in our industry, while also making a positive impact on-farm and in the lives of people in their rural communities," she says..

Fonterra general manager milk supply Steve Murphy says it is exciting to be a partner to this prestigious award.

"Fonterra is committed to supporting education in the dairy industry to drive the industry forward and protect our dairy future. Women play a huge role in our industry and we fully endorse the great work the Dairy Women's Network is doing through the Women in Leadership course."

A panel consisting of the Dairy Women's Network chair, a representative of DairyNZ, a representative of Fonterra and a representative from Global Women will review nominations during the last week of February. Finalists will be contacted in early March for interviews.