Women on Agricultural Boards Project

Australian Women in Agriculture is committed to supporting our members to step confidently into leadership roles across the industry. This three-year initiative is designed to increase female representation on boards, strengthen leadership skills, and address systemic barriers to gender equity in agriculture. Below, explore the project's core objectives and the structure that will deliver real change.

“Women are underrepresented on boards and this does not reflect the extraordinary contribution they make.”

Background

The Australian Women in Agriculture National Conference celebrating 30 years of impact in September this year, demonstrated the need to support members in achieving a seat at the table. Women’s representation at board levels remains a sticky issue for the Australian agriculture industry. The latest figures from the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries shows that women make up 31% of the Australian agriculture industry. However, WGEA data from 2024 illustrates that women only comprise 19% of board roles, and just 2% of CEO or equivalent roles. Furthermore, according to WGEA (2024) only 18% of agriculture organisations/businesses have a formal policy/strategy to support and gender equity and have a target set to increase the representation of women. Australian Women in Agriculture is on a mission to change the landscape of agricultural leadership and representation to ensure gender equity in decision making and strategic direction.

In November 2024 Australian Women in Agriculture held a webinar with Cathy McGowan and Narelle Hooper launching the 3 year AWiA Women on Agricultural Boards project for members. Cathy and Narelle shared insights and practical tips to over 130 registrants.

“Women comprise 19% of the Agriculture industry governing bodies/boards roles”

Project Objectives

The Women on Agricultural Boards project has three primary objectives –

  1. Increased Female Representation on Boards

  2. Empower Women Through Leadership Development: Equip 120 Women across rural and regional Australia with the skills, confidence and networks to take on leadership roles.

  3. Foster Systemic Change: Build awareness of the importance of gender diversity and address systemic barriers that limit women’s participation in board leadership.

Project Structure

Upskilling

Workshops and training sessions will equip participants with essential skills, including strategic planning and effective communication. Tailored for women in agriculture, this component ensures participants are prepared to excel in leadership roles.

Mentoring

The mentoring program will pair aspiring female leaders with experienced board members and industry leaders. Supporting “Board Ready” women through application and board appointment processes. With mentors such as Cathy McGowan and Narelle Hooper on board, this process will be incredibly powerful.

Support Hub

A centralised support hub will provide ongoing resources including.

· Access to board opportunities.

· Networking opportunities

· Advisory services and resources

Project Tiers

The project has 3 tiers to be inclusive of all AWiA members and create a pipeline of future leaders and board ready participants.

  • Tier 1: Board Ready

    Women currently on boards that are ready to increase their impact on paid boards or board executive roles.

  • Tier 2: Board Pathways

    Women already on a board or committee but just starting out on this journey and seeking extra support and pathways.

  • Tier 3: Board Future

    Women who are interested in upskilling, learning more about how they can make a difference in the future.

Meet the Mentors

  • Cathy McGowan

    Cathy is the recent chair of AgriFutures Australia which is one of the 15 Research and Development corporations serving the Australia Agricultural sector.  She was formally the federal Member of Parliament for Indi and has an extensive background in community, not for profit and other boards. Cathy's book "Cathy Goes to Canberra" has recently been republished by Monash Uni.

  • Narelle Hooper

    Narelle is an award-winning business editor and author who has interviewed top global & amp; national business leaders and facilitated forums for CEDA, Chief Executive Women, the Business Council of Australia, ASIC, the AICD, the Global Summit of Women. Her career has spanned print, radio, TV and digital with the nation's leading media groups - the ABC, Australian Financial Review, SBS TV and BRW - and private business, NFP and government boards.

2026 WOAB Calendar

  • Tuesday 27 January

    7:30pm

    Virtual networking and introduction to women on Ag boards

    Cathy McGowan

  • Wednesday 11 February

    12:30pm

    How to get a seat at the table: pathways

    Jen Medway and Sarah Parker

  • Wednesday 11 March

    7:30pm

    Governance

    Dr Rowan O’Hagan

  • Wednesday 15 April

    12:30pm

    CV building for boards

    Narelle Hooper

  • Tuesday 12 May

    7:30pm

    Legal duties and case studies

    Dr Rowan O’Hagan

  • Wednesday 10 June

    12:30pm

    Internal board workings

Meet our 2026 Tier 1 Cohort

  • Anna Cochrane

    Anna is a Non-Executive Director with authentic and lived experience ranging from station hand to CEO, in regional, rural and remote agricultural businesses across four states.

  • Bridget Johns

    Bridget is a Time & Resource Optimiser, grant writer and regional strategist based on her family's wheat and sheep farm on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula. She is the founder of Be Simply Free, a business helping women reduce mental load, and Grants Simplified, a grant strategy and writing consultancy.

  • Claire Webber

    Claire is the Executive Officer of the South Australian Sardine Industry Association, with a passion for seafood industry advocacy. Claire holds a Bachelor of Administration (Marine Resources) from the Australian Maritime College and a Diploma of Aquaculture. She is a graduate of the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program and recipient of the Australian National Seafood Industry Young Achiever Award.

  • Davina Boyd

    Davina is an applied social researcher, consultant, and experienced director with a passion for driving impact through knowledge and collaboration.

  • Donna Allan

    Donna Allan

    Donna is a primary producer on a multigenerational family farm. Practicing regenerative and mainly organic land management grounded in respect for Country and stewardship for future generations, she brings experience from the Commonwealth public service and strong governance, advocacy, and consultation experience.

  • Linda Bracken

    Linda is a respected board director and strategic adviser with deep connections to agriculture, horses and regional land management, alongside a distinguished background in media and digital leadership.

  • Pip Job

    Pip (PSM, GAICD) is a senior executive and advisor with nearly three decades of experience across government, industry, not-for-profit and private sectors, specialising in agriculture, climate resilience and rural and regional communities.

  • Prue Jenkins

    Prue is the Chief Executive Officer of the Wunan Foundation, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation in the East Kimberley. With over 40 years of experience living and working in regional Western Australia including a decade in the pastoral industry.

  • Prudence Barwick

    Prudence is a seasoned agribusiness professional with over two decades of experience across livestock health, agricultural consultancy, and industry leadership. As founder of Prudent Agri, she supports future-focused decision-making for regional enterprises.

  • Rachel Davis

    Rachel from Meanjin/Brisbane, is an experienced relationship management professional with a strong stakeholder focus on impact and value, with over 20+ years in the horticulture industry. Rachel has also proudly held a Director position on International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand (IFPA-ANZ), various Certified Organic committees and advisory panels and is currently Chair of Ag Institute Australia's QLD/NT Division.

  • Simone Cameron

    Simone has a pivotal role for the peak industry body, Cotton Australia, as their Northern Australia Manager. She is responsible for developing rigorous frameworks and policies supporting the viability and economic growth of the cotton and farming system sectors across the north.

  • Tammy O'Malley

    Tammy is a community connector, advocate and primary producer from South Australia’s Coorong District. She leads community sustainability and resilience initiatives with Coorong District Council, working closely with farmers, small businesses and volunteers to strengthen drought preparedness and regional wellbeing.

Applications for the 2027 program

Applications for the Women on Agricultural Boards 2027 program will open in late in 2026.

This initiative dedicated to empowering women in agriculture to step into governance and leadership roles across the sector. 

Now in its second year, the program is designed to equip women from all agricultural backgrounds with the confidence, knowledge, and networks needed to pursue board and committee positions at local, regional, and national levels. 

If you are keen to stay in touch regarding future intakes, please ensure you are an AWiA member!

We’re looking for women who care about the future of agriculture and want a seat at the table.

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