Programme Directors
Our friendly and professional management team is based at our office in Northern Wairarapa. We also have a large group of expert advisors and programme facilitators based throughout New Zealand.
AWDT graduates feature strongly in our management and facilitation teams. Not only do they bring their own expertise, but having completed one or more AWDT programmes, they understand, first-hand, the power of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with like-minded women to provide a rich learning experience for all.
Meet our Programme Directors
We’re here to help – read about each of our roles here. Because we all help each other out in our busy office, when you phone us (06 377 4560) any one of us may answer.
- Loshni Manikam
- Sara Heard
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Loshni Manikam - Escalator
Loshni is our Escalator Programme Director and also facilitates part of the Understanding Your Farming Business programme.
Loshni’s fascination with human behaviour has seen her career progress from law to dairy farming to leadership coaching and training when she obtained her coach certification from the NeuroLeadership Group in 2012.
A graduate of the Escalator programme, Loshni is also a director of a dairy-farming operation in Southland where she farms with her husband and 3 sometimes-lovely children.
She specialises in working in the agri-sector as she firmly believes that people are the key component of the sector’s continued success – unlocking their potential has benefits for the individuals, their communities and the sector.
loshni@awdt.org.nz -
Sara Heard - First Steps
Sara has been working with First Steps since graduating from the programme herself in 2012. She is an accredited International Coach Federation (ICF) coach.
Sara combines coaching and communication skills with her natural empathy and warmth to bring out the best in others, to support their growth and development.
A born and bred farmer, Sara experiences first-hand the multiple roles of a farming woman. She combines her AWDT role with working alongside her husband as an equity partner in a sheep, beef and cropping business.
With another year of challenge and change behind us, this final post for the year is a small celebration of our collective growth.
In 2021, around 600 of you joined us to build the confidence, skills and connections needed to create positive change – from the farm to the marae to the boardroom.
In the next few weeks, enjoy your well-earned break and reconnect with the people and places that matter to you.
Then, in 2022, let’s make change happen.
Merry Christmas team!
Looking for a new challenge in 2022?
Our strategic partner Farm Focus is looking for three people to join their amazing team. If you’re interested in supporting farmers to better understand and grow their business, check out these roles.
Business Operations Manager www.seek.com.au/job/55321753?type=standout#searchRequestToken=c20360a6-a525-4722-957e-1b5e5ea21f61
Applications Administrator
www.seek.co.nz/job/55284602?type=standout#searchRequestToken=8358ab93-01dd-4036-ad96-2605a8dfaa15 –
HR Advisor (part time)
www.seek.co.nz/job/55245459?type=standout#searchRequestToken=e1262e64-305f-468b-9f6e-2dd7405f8124 –
Here's a great chance for anyone involved in Aotearoa's food and fibre sector to help shape its future!
Please take 10 minutes this week to provide your views in the survey below. AGMARDT is a vital contributor to our work in researching, designing and delivering development & support for people in our sector. #creatingpostivechange
AGMARDT seeks sector input - AGMARDT
agmardt.org.nz
Primary sector funding organisation AGMARDT is partnering with Colmar Brunton in a survey to better understand the opportunities and challenges of the food and fibres sector in New Zealand. AGMARDT Ge...
An inspired appointment of a champion for rural women, communities and our wider sector. Congratulations Sandra. We look forward to your leadership!Following our November Board Meeting, we are delighted to share that Sandra Matthews has been appointed as Chair for this board term 👏
Sandra joined the board at the AGM as a North Island Board Member and will be working alongside President Gill Naylor and the rest of the RWNZ board ✨
Sandra brings a range of skills and expertise to the Board including significant governance experience. You can read more about Sandra on our website by following the link below:
ruralwomennz.nz/national-board/
#ruralwomennz #ruralcommunities #ruralwomen
Congratulations Sandra!
‘Inspired appointment’ 💯!!! Congratulations Sandra.
GIVEAWAY!!
The summer edition of Shepherdess Magazine is out now - full of stories about farming women #CreatingPostiveChange.
Women like inaugural #EscalatorAlumni, rural leader and AWDT facilitator Dawn Sangster. Or clinical psychologist and AWDT facilitator & graduate Kate Steadman.
As a founding partner of Shepherdess, we’re thrilled to see the magazine go from strength to strength. It's now available in 500 retail outlets around the country!
To celebrate this milestone, we’re giving away 15 copies.
To enter, simply share your 2021 milestone in the comments. What positive change did you achieve for yourself or others this year?
Ts & Cs
1. Competition closes Sunday, December 5 at 11:00pm.
2. Winning comments will be chosen at the discretion of AWDT.
3. This promotion is in no way sponsored, administered or associated with Facebook.
4. Winners will be notified by Facebook message.
I have had the most amazing year of learning and development hugely due to the fact that I participated in Next Level. I've gained so much more clarification around my why and what drives me, and have noticed myself consciously weighing up decisions with it in mind. Feeling much more confident and believing in myself, i have connected with a fabulous network of women, and gained a greater understanding of my strengths and what I bring to the table. I am so so excited about what lies ahead ❤️ Fizzing! Thank you AWDT!
Quitting a job that was ruining my mental health. Taking a break then finding a place where I was appreciated 😊 You have to do what's right for you and your family, even if it's a hard road to start with.
Looks a great read. I become a volunteer fire fighter. Great way to become involved in a community, especially a small rural one.❤🚒.
Such a great edition and amazing to be part of it with many other incredible women. Thanks AWDT for the support! ❤️
Can't wait to read this. My achievements this year are winning the 2021 Dairy Women of the Year and completing my AWDT Next Steps course. This has really made me cement my why in helping others and how I'm going to do that. Bring on 2022!
Over 70 and still going to the gym , looking after a 3/4 acre garden and secretary of our Rural woman group , so retired farmers can still be kept busy .
I have SO been waiting for this issue Dawn Sangster 🥰
Sacha Douglas taming your toddler… and then taming mine 😅
Had a baby 👶
