Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you.

Murray is passionate about productive enterprises that play a major role in the New Zealand economy.  He enjoys working with people who have a shared sense of direction towards a common goal for business growth.

Over the past 25 years Murray and his wife Carolynn have developed and expanded an intensive lamb and beef farming operation in the Waianiwa District of Southland.

Murray has held numerous professional governance roles including Director of Alliance Group Ltd, Alliance Group Trustee Ltd, FMG, Farmlands, and Southern Institute of Technology. He is currently a Trustee on Nova Trust and is chairman of Mount Linton Station Ltd.

Murray is a Chartered Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and a 1992 Kellogg Scholar.

Ngā Rauru Kiitahi, Ngā Ruahine, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Atihaunui A Papārangi, Ngāti Rangi, Ngā Puhi

Anne-Marie is a nature and animal lover and enjoys the buzz of managing projects and developing new business ideas.  She is a Business Developer and Professional Director with a range of experience and roles across the agri and economic development sectors.  Anne-Marie is dedicated to Māori economic development and feels privileged to serve on Taranaki Māori agri-business Parininihi Ki Waitōtara as a Director of the Incorporation and Farms Boards and Chair of the Human Resources Committee.

In her community, Anne-Marie is actively involved with her hapū and iwi, is the Chair of Whenuakura Marae, and serves on the Whanganui West Catchment Group

Mavis relishes the opportunity to support women engaged in self-development and share her skills and experiences. Other primary sector directorships include Chair of Atihau Whanganui Incorporation and Aohanga Incorporation.

In 2017 Mavis was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame and won The Outstanding Māori Business award at University of Auckland Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards.

Past directorships include Landcorp Farming Ltd and Massey University. As former Chair of Te Huarahi Tika Trust (Māori Spectrum) and former Chair of Hautaki Ltd, the NZ shareholder in 2degrees Mobile, Mavis has been involved in the development and commercial use of spectrum for mobile technologies.

Her own company, Paewai Mullins Shearing Ltd, was the first globally in the sector to achieve ISO 9002 certification. Other acknowledgments include Golden Shears Awards, Māori Businesswoman of the Year (1998), Māori Sports Administrator of the Year for Shearing & Woolhandling (2005, 2012), and the Safeguard NZ Health & Safety in the Workplace Award (2008).

AWDT Founder Lindy Nelson is a visionary leader, unafraid to tackle challenges, and driven to make a difference in the New Zealand primary industry. She believes women hold the key to support and lead much of the change that needs to happen globally. Her personal philosophy around diversity and inclusion is “leave no one behind”.

Lindy’s work in the New Zealand agriculture sector started in 1992 when she moved to a rural area to manage a hill country sheep and beef operation along with her husband. The lack of women’s voice in the agriculture world made She believed it was time for action, to support women and feminine leadership. After three years of research, Lindy saw her work coming into the form with “Unlocking Potential”, a research paper that meant the beginning of new projects.

Lindy founded AWDT in 2009 that has led to a transformation in NZ’s food and agricultural sector through unleashing the talent of women. She also led the design and implementation of leading-edge leadership and governance programmes.

She was the 2013 NEXT Business Woman of the Year and was nominated as one of the Top Ten Women in Agriculture by Primary Magazine.

With a few friends in 2017, Lindy supported Theresa Gutting to bring to life WorldWomen17, a three-day event that brought renowned international speakers to a 480-strong urban and rural audience.

In 2018, she travelled to Papua New Guinea to address Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation on empowering women in agriculture as well as offered advice to the Scottish Government to develop a strategy for agri-women.

Lindy is a member of the 2020 Global Advisory board for Women in Food and Agriculture.

Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Pukenga.

Previous chair and trustee roles within environmental forums and commercial partnerships, has allowed her to demonstrate the advice and guidance of her kaumaatua and tuupuna. She is tikanga driven with her feet firmly planted within Papatuuaanuku.

Poto is passionate about learning and expanding her Maatauranga. She enjoys working within her community where there is a mutual sharing and great outcomes.

She owns a consulting company, is an Independent Hearings Commissioner and mentors on several forums in the Waikato. Poto is an Escalator graduate from the 2020 cohort.

A South Canterbury farmer and natural resources engineer, Keri has worked in the food and fibre sector in the environmental space for 25 years.

She works with communities, councils, and stakeholders to find solutions and agreed outcomes to many of the environmental challenges faced by the primary sector.

An experienced governor, Keri has served nine years on the IrrigationNZ board, the last five years as chair, and has just finished as Chair of the Timaru Girls High School board of trustees. She is current the co-chair of AWDT.

Keri is passionate and driven to help build a resilient and thriving future for the food and fibre sector for all of Aotearoa, NZ.

Susan is a seasoned director, executive, entrepreneur, and consultant with over 30 years experience solving commercial business issues and managing people challenges in complex environments.

In addition to owing her own business, Susan is a former Partner at EY, Director – Talent & Engagement at Fonterra, and most recently Head of Reward & Insights for Zespri.  She is deeply committed to improving outcomes for women and has used her influence and skills to raise awareness of pay equity and diversity issues to promote positive change within Aotearoa New Zealand.

Susan is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and in addition to AWDT, her current governance portfolio includes Chair of Diversity Works New Zealand and Director of Coastguard New Zealand .

Patrice is a strategic thinker, experienced governor, commercial advisor and leadership development practitioner, with passion and commitment to the success of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector within the global system. Her governance experience spans co-operatives, private enterprise and public entities, including roles with Marlborough Grape Growers, Marlborough Heartland, Victor Hydraulics (Chair) and PeopleTalking New Zealand.

As an AWDT Trustee, Patrice is passionate about growing capability, confidence, and connection for women through the food and fibre value chain of Aotearoa, ensuring the next generation of leadership is well-equipped to lead with purpose and impact.