The next crop of Zanda McDonald shortlisted applicants have been announced, with ten industry professionals shortlisted for the 2024 award.
The award aims to recognise future leaders working in agriculture and provides a prize package focused around tailored mentoring and education.
The shortlist of ten industry professionals were selected for their leadership skills, passion, and the contribution they are making within the primary sector.
The Australian finalists are:
- Caitlin McConnel, 33, south east Queensland farmer, agribusiness lawyer at Clayton Utz, chair of the Future Farmer Network
- Nick Dunsdon, 33, south west Queensland, manager of Coban Pastoral Co and rural property agent at GDL based in Cunnamulla
- Sam Fryer, 33, regional area manager for the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority and founder of "A Place To Call Home" podcast
- Tessa Chartres, 32, Deniliquin, NSW, general manager business development for Murray Irrigation Ltd and chair of the South West Music Regional Conservatorium
- Xavier McCluskey, 29, Tamworth, NSW, processing specialist for Greenstock
The New Zealand finalists are:
- Carla Muller, 31, Whakatane, agricultural economist and principal consultant for Perrin Ag and former director of NZIPIM
- Jordi Hoult, 29, Manawatu, vet and senior advisor at the Ministry for Primary Industries
- Nancy Crawshaw, 27, Nuhaka Northern Hawkes Bay, extension officer for Angus Australia
- Richard Dawkins, 34, Blenheim, sheep and beef farmer and vice president of Marlborough Federated Farmers
- Tim Dangen, 31, beef farmer in Muriwai West Auckland, and 2022 recipient of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Award
Awards chairman Shane McManaway said the judges were "elated" with the calibre of the latest crop of applicants, as they approach the awards' ten year anniversary.
"It's wonderful that this award has been helping grow future leaders in agriculture for a decade now, providing unique opportunities to connect, collaborate and foster learnings from industry mentors who have walked the path," he sad.
"Yet again we've been blown away by the people who have applied, and it's encouraging to see the immense talent coming through from the next generation.
"We're thrilled with our shortlist, and looking forward to meeting everyone in person for interviews next month, to get to know them better."
The ten shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in December, with three finalists selected from each country.
They will head to Queenstown in March 2024 for the Zanda McDonald Award Impact Summit, where a winner from each country will be announced.
The winners will each be awarded with a personal development package, including a personalised mentoring trip in both countries by private jet, $10,000 worth of tailored education or further training, media coaching and ongoing networking opportunities.
ACM Agri, the publisher of this masthead, is a proud sponsor of the Zanda McDonald Award.
