Lisa Sims - General Manager

Lisa has played a key role in shaping our vision through her communication and engagement work with AWDT since 2010. Appointed as General Manager in November 2018, she brings more than 30 years of deep experience in business and community leadership and strategic communication in multiple sectors.

As an member of our Escalator Alumni and one of our culture keepers, she values positive, longstanding relationships based on trust and mutual understanding.  Lisa is a partner with her husband in their sheep and beef farming business near Eketahuna where they have raised their four adult children.

lisa@awdt.org.nz 

Rachel Morgan - Finance Manager & Board Secretary

As a longstanding member of our team since 2012, Rachel has worked in a variety of roles and has rich knowledge of our culture, people, systems and processes.

Rachel has a Bachelor of Business Studies in Communications Management. She is currently our Finance Manager and Board Secretary and looks after the organisations IT systems and online learning platform.

rachel@awdt.org.nz 

Diane Falconer - Programme Manager

Di manages delivery of the AWDT programmes after the research, design and development stages.

Di’s background is in project management and human resources in the agri-business and hospitality sectors. Most recently she managed programmes for the Red Meat Profit Partnership’s capability portfolio with focus on attracting young people to the sector along with developing the capability of farmers and rural professionals.

Attracted to her role by AWDT’s ethos of standing shoulder to shoulder in giving primary sector people the opportunity to grow and develop, Di values strong relationships and outstanding customer service. 

diane@awdt.org.nz

Development Manager

Mandy manages AWDT programme development with a focus on meeting future needs in a sector undergoing significant change. She has a keen interest in initiatives that benefit people, land, business and cultural sustainability. Working with the AWDT team provides a wonderful platform to enable programme participants to bring their own initiatives to life by building skills and networks. 

Mandy’s background in process engineering and community education has led to a wide range of experiences in agribusiness, food, renewable energy, education, indigenous development, adventure tourism and technology development. Her work in the primary sector has included research, manufacturing, alternative investment models, product commercialisation and new land use opportunities. Some of Mandy’s more unusual experiences have been developing investment protocols for the Bougainville Government, creating a deer milk powder for skin care, and researching dairy proteins for wood treatment!

mandy@awdt.org.nz