Across the agriculture sector there's a growing commitment to narrowing the gender gap in the sector's leadership roles and bodies. It's a move that just makes good operational sense, ensuring skilled women leaders are given the opportunity to elevate themselves into positions of leadership.
This International Rural Women's Day, the twenty-seven government, business and representative organisations a part of the National Farmers' Federation's Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program, have once more pledged to implement a number of significant steps including expanding paternity leave and working towards fixing the gender pay gap, focusing on ensuring promotion opportunities for women.
The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program, aims to assist a number of women, many emerging leaders, to determine their leadership goals and the role they want to play in the future of Australian agriculture by connecting them to networking opportunities and a one-on-one mentoring pairing.
In it's four years of operation, DiALP has grown an alumni of 41 women strong, with the ongoing aim to creating the pathways and networks needed to ensure gender parity in the roles that would shape the agriculture of tomorrow. To date, a number of Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program graduates have gone on to hold industry board positions and to be changemakers within their sectors and communities.
The 2021 cohort is no different.
Eleven talented, skilled and ambitious agriculture professionals are today joining the ranks of this esteemed and impactful alumni, as they graduate from the 2021 Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program, today.
From station management to animal science and international trade, this year's cohort are:
Anna Harrison Mungindi, NSW
Anna Hooper Mitcham, SA
Brei Montgomery Winmalee, NSW
Gillian Fennell Marla, SA
Janice Liu Gosford, NSW
Latarnie McDonald Taradale, VIC
Lucy Staughton Gunnedah, NSW
Prudence Cook Dimboola, VIC
Sally Murfet Sorell, TAS
Tracy Sullivan Broome, WA
Miffy Gilbert Glen Iris, VIC
Pictured below in the above order!
In June, members of the 2021 cohort touched down in the Nation's capital to mark the beginning of the mentorship program. A chance to meet, network and learn from existing female industry leaders.
During the two-day retreat the group were each assigned an industry mentor, heard from inspiring speakers, participated in leadership workshops, and met with ministers and members of parliament.
From there, the group parted ways physically, however, remaining tight-knit through social media and online webinars.
The 2021 cohort graduates from the program this afternoon. You can watch live, by following this link.
