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.
#EscalatorAlumni Libby Jones is delighted to have been re-elected to Northland's District Health Board. "I have really enjoyed my time on the health board so far. There are some exciting and challenging times ahead of us, and I am keen to be involved."
Libby intends to "have regular conversations with other decision makers...about the health needs in our area, many of which are related to social determinants of health – poverty, housing, despair" and remains committed to "keeping our focus on prevention of illness both physical and mental illness, through stronger links with primary care, social service sector and building community resilience."
Her leadership ‘WHY’ is "to enable others to achieve their goals and aspirations, in this case it is for those without a voice to be able to access quality health services to improve their own health and wellbeing."
Having a greater understanding of what drives her and the type of leader she stand out from her Escalator experience. Libby has some great tools in her "tool box" for her important work. #creatingpositivechange #keepingitreal #supportedgrowth
Congratulations Libby! So great you are fulfilling your leadership why!
Must watch weekend viewing - Libby & Ben are inspirational leaders whose progress we've had the privilege to support through Beef + Lamb NZ Farmer Council, #Escalator2019, #ItsAllAboutYOU & #UYFB Understanding Your Farming Business. This is how to grow and sustain business, people, planet and connect food to people and place #criticalfarmingpartners #creatingpositivechange Thank you #OnFarmStory & Farmers Weekly NZ
The end of the year may be just around the corner, but the awesome AWDT facilitation team isn't slowing down! Travelling the country - from Hawke's Bay to South Otago, supporting #criticalfarmingpartners as they deliver 'Understanding Your Farming Business' (UYFB) to farming women.
Back in 2020 delivered in 40 rural centres around NZ registrations are now open via www.awdt.org.nz/uyfb/ Red Meat NZ Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Wow - this RMPP National Action Group sounds seriously "next level" - take a moment to hear about what makes this unique RMPP Action Group tick. Comments from Heather Collins (Guest Speaker at recent Understanding Your Farming Business Blenheim graduation) as Lead Facilitator for this group, as well as from UYFB graduates #CriticalFarmingPartners Becks Tosswill (Wairarapa) and Annabel Craw (Banks Peninsula) Red Meat NZ ANZ New Zealand
We're excited to acknowledge and warmly congratulate one of our own, Penny Smart #EscalatorAlumni on her election as Chair of Northland Regional Council. Her words "Our role is supporting, enabling and empowering people. We need good leadership and it's about mindset as much as skillset," ring so true and are particularly meaningful for Northland as one of NZ's fastest growing regions.
Ka pa to mahi Penny - we honour your dedication and wish you and your team well with the challenges and huge opportunities that abound in Tai Tokerau #CreatingPositiveChange
Penny Smart elected new NRC chairwoman at inaugural meeting
www.nzherald.co.nz
Penny Smart is elected the new chairperson of the Northland Regional CouncilCongratulations Penny Smart you are doing an amazing job and a real inspiration. We are so lucky to have you. 😃
Wow. You’ll be great Penny. Always new big things would come of you. X
Love your leadership Penny
Well done Penny
Well done Penny!! Good on you!
