WOTL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Conference Operations Manager
Currently working as a land manager on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Claire Fuller is passionate about women in leadership, training and providing opportunities for growth to become the best version of ourselves. She has four children, three who are neurodiverse making life full and wonderful. Claire's career has included working for State Government, a global environmental organisation, and two not-for-profits. Always looking for a new adventure, her next ambition is to embark on establishing a pasture raised egg business.
Claire enjoys giving back to the community and has sat on multiple Boards, committees, and panels. She prides herself on being a team player, collegiate, a good communicator, respectful and considerate of others. Claire is looking forward to being a part of the Thriving Women 2024 Conference Team and creating something special for women in agriculture.
Emily works on the land of the Kaurna people and has over 20 years' experience working within both State and Commonwealth Government departments across a broad range of primary industries including fisheries and aquaculture, water, forestry, biosecurity and livestock. Her skills span project management, policy development and analysis, stakeholder engagement and extension, strategic planning, grant administration and governance. She has a passion for education and extension, collaborative projects and being an agent for positive change and is currently working in the role of Coordinator, Decade of Biosecurity hosted by Invasive Species Council. Emily has been a participant and beneficiary of WoTL events and courses and is excited to give back to an organisation that supports women to thrive in their chosen field.
Fiona McGorman has lived two very different lives. Not so long ago she was working as a nurse, a career she absolutely loves. With a clear path and direction of where she was heading, Fiona was working her way up the ladder and doing lots of great things within the health sector. However, there came a point following some structural and operational changes within the family farming business, and juggling raising three boys, that she eventually decided to hang up her scrubs and put on her work boots.
Han grew up on the family mixed-grazing property north of Nullamanna, NSW. They now work on Ngarigo Country in Cooma, at the Country Universities Centre Snowy Monaro, helping coordinate to support locals to access tertiary education despite their geographic isolation. Prior to this, Han was the CEO and an Executive Director of Country to Canberra, a not-for-profit empowering young rural women and non-binary people to reach their leadership potential, and a primary teacher! This real passion for gender equality and education opportunities in rural Australia motivated Han to get involved with WoTL and help improve national program reach. In between all of this, Han owns and competes their Australian Stock Horses George and Bellboy, volunteers with a variety of other organisations, and makes the most of living in the Snowy Mountains.
Han Worsley lives in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. A passion for gender equality and education opportunities in rural Australia was Han's motivation to get involved with WoTL and help improve national program reach. Han was the CEO and Executive Director of Country to Canberra, a not-for-profit empowering young rural women and non-binary people to reach their leadership potential.
"The mission and values of WoTL speak to my passion for gender equality and RRR communities, which I have held since growing up on our mixed grazing property north of Nullamanna, NSW, and experiencing first-hand the challenges and triumphs of women in agriculture," said Han.
"I am eager to bring my own experience and skills as an emerging Director to a Board that aligns with my values and learn from those more experienced. After first connecting with WoTL as a Toolbox Talk Presenter (at TW2022) I have followed the organisation and see the potential the WoTL network has to expand and grow."
Jo Powells is thrilled to join the Thriving Women 2024 Conference Team. Hailing from New South Wales, Jo has been working in agricultural research and extension for twenty years. She loves working with landholders to help them gain greater understandings of their natural resources and how to best manage constraints in constantly changing times. Jo has been based in the Snowy Mountains for most of her career, and in her spare time farms cattle and sheep with her partner, Patrick.
Jo is looking forward to working with a bunch of enthusiastic and impressive team and to bring her experience and knowledge back to NSW when the event returns to the state in 2025.
Joyce is passionate about advocating for women's diversity and inclusivity in positions of leadership, particularly in the agricultural sector. She is excited to bring her skills and experience to WoTL, helping to advance its mission and empower women in agriculture. Joyce is a dynamic and accomplished professional with a rich background in food safety, quality assurance, and business development within the agricultural and food processing sectors. Currently working as the Business Development Manager at Ceravolo Orchards and Ashton Valley Fresh, Joyce is part of the fourth generation working on the family orchard where she has developed a diverse skill set with a proven track record of demonstrated success in building fruitful partnerships and networks within the agricultural industry.
Kelly Will is a recent agriculture science graduate from the University of Adelaide with a passion for livestock nutrition, breeding and genetics with plans to begin her Honours in the animal nutrition space. Her career goal is to increase the efficiency of production within the livestock industry to meet global demands.
Growing up on a sheep, cropping and forestry farm in the south-east of South Australia ignited her passion for the industry from a young age.
Kelly joins the Team after hearing many great testimonies from previous conferences believing it's an event that all young women in agriculture need to know about. Kelly is passionate about broadening the reach of the conference and making it relevant to women starting out in the agriculture industry. She's excited to work with the Team to create an impactful event for all attendees and is looking forward to gaining new knowledge and growth.
Leanne Pridham is a farmer at Paskeville, South Australia with a strong passion for empowering women in their roles in agriculture. Her twenty-year involvement in agriculture, both at grass roots level of the livestock and grains industry and in compliance for state government, has given her a true appreciation of the positive influence and contribution women bring to the agricultural sector. As a participant of WoTL events, Leanne has experienced first-hand the confidence and learning that is gained in a safe, open and curious learning environment. Being a WoTL director allows Leanne to give back and contribute to the organisation to continue to support women to be the best version of themselves.
Lucy Blenkiron is a dedicated student in her final year, studying a double degree in Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Corporate Finance at the University of Adelaide. Her interest in agriculture and business has stemmed from her upbringing on a grazing property in the Barossa Valley.
Formerly an Associate Succession Planner, Lucy seamlessly integrated her legal, financial, and agricultural experience, aiding in the transfer of generational family farm businesses. More recently, Lucy has commenced a position as a Law Clerk and is pursuing a career in corporate law. Lucy's commitment to helping young people, especially women in agriculture, fuels her support and enthusiasm for WoTL.
Lucy has been involved in volunteer positions for WoTL since 2018. Having been the only volunteer involved in the organisation of all previous Thriving Women Conferences, Lucy looks forward to passing on her knowledge for TW2024, aiming to make it another unique and influential event.
Lucy Morphett is a pastoralist in South Australia's Far North managing Callanna Station alongside her husband, Tom. Lucy is a champion for rural and remote communities and is passionate about the personal and professional development of women, particularly in agriculture. Lucy believes that the bush deserves healthy, vibrant communities and that women are integral to this being achieved.
Lucy has completed a Bachelor of Agriculture, has worked on ground as a Contract Musterer and for the SAAL Landscape Board. She now enjoys an eventful lifestyle in the outback, running her event planning and advisory business with two little boys afoot whilst holding multiple volunteer Board and Committee positions that are aligned to her values.
Attending the 2018 Thriving Women Conference had a profound impact on Lucy which is why she has decided to join the project team for TW2024.
With more than 18 years of experience in marketing and advertising, Neeta Bhise joined the WoTL Board of Directors in 2021. Having worked in Adelaide and London, she has developed her skills in brand management and strategic planning across online and offline channels. She has worked across a range of industries including tourism, science & research, retail and manufacturing as well as the not-for-profit sector. Neeta is the Marketing Manager at an Australian-based-NGO and has supported WoTL for a number of years.
A passion for developing people, communities and organisations is why Sally Klose is excited to join the Thriving Women 2024 Conference Team.
In 2021, Sally established Sally Klose Strategic Solutions which specialises in strategic and business planning, communication and stakeholder engagement and governance advice. Sally has worked with membership bodies, government, small businesses and sporting and community groups providing solutions to achieve their goals. Previously, Sally worked in local government and the community philanthropy sector. As the Executive Officer of the Stand Like Stone Foundation, Sally received an Award for Excellence from Community Foundations Australia for "outstanding achievements and contributions to philanthropy through the Community Foundation movement".
Sally and her husband Chris operate a farming business in Lucindale, SA focusing on prime lamb production. Sally's experience is backed by a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Management, Company Directors Course Diploma and the IAP2 Certificate in Engagement.
Susie is a strong advocate of the rural communities that are supported by agriculture and understands first-hand the challenges facing women in the sector. Susie is extremely excited by the opportunity WoTL presents to support women across all of agriculture and fill a gap that is largely unfilled. Susie brings experience in leadership, governance of industry and community not-for-profits to help support WoTL's development and evolution.
Toni Duka is passionate about rural communities. The core of her work has always included building and strengthening relationships through engagement, capacity building and facilitation.
Toni grew up on a farming property on Kangaroo Island and has lived in several SA regions, currently calling Millicent home. Whilst her early career was in state and local government, Toni eventually moved on to start her own consulting business which she has been running for over 15 years. Adapting her offerings over time, she has worked across natural resource management, community development and tourism. She has also held positions on a vast array of committees and Boards.
Following her love of communication, connection and facilitation has led her to hone her business offerings in these areas. Toni is particularly passionate about supporting regional women, supporting them to work through challenges and towards goals they are passionate about, but mostly for them to see themselves in all their beautiful imperfect glory. She is someone who builds rapport quickly and brings energy and enthusiasm to whatever she does. m since 2019 and is excited to take on the role of Conference Convenor for the 2024 event, working alongside an incredible team.
With over 25 years of providing succession and retirement planning advice to farming clients Tony comes to WoTL with a desire to make a difference to people in the agricultural sector and help improve their lives. Tony has a long track record of developing business and associated services and is currently the CEO of Hub 39, under which 6 businesses run. As well as a strong financial and business acumen Tony also brings experience in marketing to the WoTL Board.