Our Team
Our Masterton-based management team supports our team of expert facilitators and advisors to deliver our programmes throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our team brings their own expertise and first-hand understanding of the power of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our programme participants to provide a rich learning experience and ongoing support and connection.
- Lisa Sims
- Rachel Morgan
- Anna-Corinna Benz
- Bronwen Rutland
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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.
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Rachel Morgan - Programme Manager
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 Programme Manager and looks after the organisations finance and systems.
Previously sheep and beef farming in Tiraumea, Matahiwi and Bideford, she is now based in Masterton raising her two daughters.
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Anna-Corinna Benz - Office Manager
Anna-Corinna originally comes from a hospitality family in the German Nahe wine region, where she grew up with an intrinsic passion for food and wine. After graduating from business school, she spent over a decade travelling the world working in Cyprus, Austria, Australia, and the Caribbean.
She fell in love with Aotearoa when she arrived in 2015 to manage a start-up café & restaurant. Working in the New Zealand wine industry for 6 years saw Corinna develop strong connections with the sector and its people.
Corinna holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a particular interest in women’s health and wellbeing.
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Bronwen Rutland - Relationships and projects
Bron joins the team to support projects and deliverables for key programmes and to manage the day-to-day relationships with our partners. Bron has extensive experience in partnership management working in associations, not-for-profits and other organisations in this space. Also an event management professional, Bron has managed several events end-to-end of all sizes, has experience in marketing, projects and strategy development.
Working with a range of stakeholders to achieve success for a project is where Bron thrives.
The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme has been building leadership capability in the Food and Fibre Sector since 1979.
During that time, over 1000 scholars have graduated.
These talented people completed the programme and left armed with the ability to think and act strategically, and to make a positive impact on the Sector.
For more information on how you can apply for 2023
ruralleaders.co.nz/kellogg-rural-leadership-programme/
Our programme to prepare farming partners to adapt and thrive through change is back.
Our Resilient Farming Business is a chance for you and your business partner to take time out to work purely on your business instead of in your business.
It starts with calm and open minds, and business plans & financial accounts open. Take time out to make a plan to manage risks, take opportunities & share the load together.
Secure your place on our face-to-face programme in Feilding (starts 27 Oct), or the online pilot programme (starts 8 Nov).
Register now at
www.awdt.org.nz/programmes/our-resilient-farming-business/
#supportedgrowth #keepingitreal
Agri-Women's Development Trust (AWDT)
facebook.com
We empower women with the mindsets, skills, confidence and connections to create positive change.
Congratulations to seven members of our #EscalatorAlumni - elected by their communities to lead and govern the people and places they care about. #keepingitreal #creatingpositivechange
Adrienne Wilcock - Mayor, Matamata-Piako District Council
Tracey Collis - Mayor, Tararua District Council
Donna Cram - Councillor, Taranaki Regional Council
Claire McKay - Councillor, Environment Canterbury
Eileen Lawson - Councillor, Hastings District Council
Fi Dalgety - Councillor, Rangitikei District Council
Lyn Neeson - Councillor, Ruapehu District Council
Congratulations 👏 great to seee women stepping up into leadership roles all over the country.
A fabulous line up of very capable women leaders, so great to see. We wish you all the best on your journey and you have our sister support embracing you ❤
Excellent news well done everyone and best wishes for the job ahead.
So good! Proud to be associated with you all as you bring your very best to local government. You are all superstars in my eyes! Well done x
Congratulations everyone!
Congratulations ladies. I look forward to hearing about your impact.
Thanks Jane Wright, I took the plunge. Close race but specials shouldn't change the result.
Some brilliant talent in that line up... Though one of us looks a little older lol
Amazing, well done ladies
Well done ladies! 👏
"Escalator will help you discover what drives you. It will give you the freedom to care deeply. This drive and care will propel you to be an even better version of the person you already are.
Escalator graduates make lifelong friends and become part of a supportive community of inspirational agri-leaders."
Helen Blom - Farmer & Chair, Escalator Alumni Inc.
Applications for Escalator 2023 close this Monday 10 October. Learn more at www.awdt.org.nz/escalator/
Love that Helen "will give you the freedom to care deeply." Definitely where ones WHY comes from.
Awesome lady, family.
Escalator 2023 applications close this Monday.
Accelerating progress & change in our food & fibre sector and rural communities needs new leaders to stand up. Women like you.
Escalator is about unleashing your true self in the service of others. Build on your strengths, embrace your leadership style and develop the hard and human skills that define modern, mission-oriented leadership.
Across the 10-month programme, form life-long connections with your cohort of female leaders and connect with progressive primary sector New Zealanders, including Escalator Alumni.
Applications close 5pm Monday 10 October Learn more here
www.awdt.org.nz/escalator/
Julianne Nightingale
