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Welcome to Farming Forever National Summit 2025

Join Farmers for Climate Action as we celebrate the achievements, resilience, and future of Australian farming at the Farming Forever National Summit 2025.

We will bring together more than 300 farmers, industry leaders, and community representatives for a two-day event, and third day for a farmer-only workshop dedicated to the future of farming in Australia.

Together, we’ll explore how today’s innovations can boost productivity and profitability for Australian farms and secure regional futures, all while we care for the planet.

Key Themes

The Summit will have a series of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, expos and workshops to delve into the following themes:

  • Improving the profitability and sustainability of your farm
  • Sustainable farming and adopting clean energy from farmers who are doing it
  • What latest climate science and global policy trends means on-farm and across our communities
  • Managing climate risks for your farm, business and regional community
  • Rolling out renewables so that farmers and the local community benefit
  • Ensuring our voices are heard by policy and decision makers
  • Coordinating action across the community to reduce emissions and ensure we can farm forever

Event Details

Dates:

1 – 3 September 2025, with a farmer-only workshop day on Wednesday 3 September.

Day 1 and 2: (1-2 September):

Summit sessions, keynote speeches, panel discussions, networking opportunities and Gala Dinner featuring live music.

Day 3 (3 September):

Exclusive farmer-only Workshop Day, including media and government engagement training, and capacity building sessions.

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Location:

Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton, Canberra.

We Asked Farmers: “Why Are You Attending the Farming Forever National Summit?”

“To ensure I have an adequate understanding of what’s currently happening with renewables in agriculture and to learn from other’s experiences with renewable energy companies.”
“I am responsible for passing our farm on to the next generation and I want to give them the best start possible. The Summit will give this goal a real boost.”
“I would like to learn more about the options my family and I can take to make our farm more resilient to climate change and have real conversations with other farmers and experts who are in the same boat.”
“A significant event like this is just what farmers need to draw attention to politicians so that we can be a part of the solution.”
“To show solidarity and support for renewable projects that can benefit regional communities and farmers.”

Why the Farming Forever National Summit 2025?

The Farming Forever National Summit builds on Australia’s rich agricultural traditions, bringing together like-minded farmers to network, explore the practices, investments and technologies that will strengthen farming communities and regional economies for generations to come.

Who Should Attend?

The Farming Forever National Summit 2025 is for anyone who cares about the future of Australian farming and regional communities. We welcome:

  • Farmers and farm leaders
  • Community leaders
  • Mayors, Councillors and council staff
  • Companies and investors focused on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and rural industries
  • Agriculture peak bodies and commodity groups
  • Government officials, policy makers and regulators

Be Part of Farming’s Future

Farmers buy your ticket here. Early bird ends on 22 April. Full price tickets are available after that date.

Tickets for corporates, government officials and peak bodies can be purchased here.

Program Structure

Sunday 31 August
5:00pm onwards Welcome drinks
Monday 1 September (Summit day 1)
From 8:00am Registration opens
9:00am Day one summit sessions commence
Morning Summit sessions with keynote speeches and panel discussions
Afternoon Concurrent breakout sessions
5:00pm Summit drinks and canapes
Gala dinner with live music
Tuesday 2 September (Summit day 2)
9:00am Day two summit sessions commence
Morning Summit sessions with keynote speeches and panel discussions
Afternoon Concurrent breakout sessions
5:30pm Summit concludes
Wednesday 3 September (optional third day for farmers only)
9:00am - 5:00pm Farmer only workshop commences

Join us for a two-day summit (September 1-2) featuring Australia’s foremost industry leaders, insightful keynote presentations, and unparalleled networking opportunities with experts and peers.

For farmers, an optional third day (September 3) offers practical workshops addressing critical on-farm and regional opportunities. The agenda includes:

Keynote addresses from leading thinkers

Expert panel discussions on pressing industry issues

Interactive sessions deep dive sessions to exchange ideas and experiences

This is your opportunity to gain actionable insights, build valuable connections, and drive meaningful impact in your field.

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Kirsten Diprose

Founder of Rural Podcasting Co and Host of Ducks on the Pond

Mike Casey

CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa and Cherry Grower

Professor Mark Howden

Director of the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions, Australian National University

Brent Finlay

Cattle Farmer and Managing Director at Finlay Agricultural Industries

Paul Binsted

Chair of the NSW EnergyCo and Chair Stanwell Corporation Limited

Jody Brown

Grazier and Operations Manager, Latrobe Station QLD

Tim Jarvis

Environmental Scientist and Adventurer

Natalie Collard

CEO of Farmers for Climate Action

Jon Berry

Associate Director, Geopolitics Hub at KPMG

Karin Stark

Farmer and Director of Farm Renewables Consulting

Ben van Delden

Partner at Deloitte

Susan Findlay-Tickner

Grain Farmer and Project Communications Manager at RES Australia

Brett Hall

Farmer and Chair of Farmers for Climate Action

Dr Anika Molesworth

Farmer, Scientist and FCA Board Director

Charlie Prell

Founding Chair of Farmers for Climate Action

Aunt Violet Sheridan

Ngunnawal Elder

Andrew Bray

National Director of RE-Alliance

Wendy Agar

CEO, Engaged Outcomes

Robert Mackenzie

Managing Director at Mackas Australian Black Angus Beef

Tony Inder

Wool grower and sheep grazier operating under a neighbouring solar farm

Stephanie Bashir

Principal and Founder, Nexa Advisory

David Lindenmayer AO

Professor at Australian National University and world-leading expert on forest conservation

Dimity Taylor

Farmer and Physiotherapist

David DJ Jochinke

President, National Farmers’ Federation

Emma Coath

Chair, Impact Club

Stephen Summerhayes

Director – Renewables in Agriculture Centre of Excellence, Innovation and Impact Lead – Food Agility

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Ben van Delden

Partner at Deloitte

Ben is a Partner in Deloitte's Sustainability and Industrial Technology practice. He leads the AgriFood Transformation & Circularity team, combining circular economy and digital consulting capabilities in the agriculture and food industry.

Ben has 27 years’ international experience in advising private and public sector clients in the fields of agribusiness, food, natural capital, circularity and decarbonisation. He also advises his clients on strategy and regional growth, operational excellence, data and technology enablement.

His work involves assisting organisations, regions and industries to baseline their emissions and circularity. Ben is a member of the Australian Food and Ag Industry Taskforce that recently published its eleven recommendations for transforming the sector in the “Land of Plenty: Transforming Australia into a Food Superpower”

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Stephen Summerhayes

Director - Renewables in Agriculture Centre of Excellence, Innovation and Impact Lead - Food Agility
Stephen leads the 'Regenerising Agriculture' pillar at Food Agility, working with farmers, industry, researchers and government to deliver collaborative projects on carbon and biodiversity markets, renewable energy, circular systems and agtech innovation.
Stephen works at the intersection of agriculture, sustainability and innovation. He helps turn good ideas into practical outcomes that improve resilience, productivity and long-term value for farms, regions and the ag sector.
With a background in law, science and environmental management, Stephen brings experience from across sectors and countries — from climate adaptation in Latin America to coastal and catchment management in Australia. He’s worked with communities, startups and all levels of government to support sustainability transitions and policy development. He’s also served on advisory committees, taught ethics, mentored in climate tech, and contributed to published work on Indigenous and environmental justice. His focus is on helping agriculture stay profitable, resilient and ready for what’s next.
Stephen has been awarded the John B. Fairfax Innovation in Agriculture Scholarship to participate in the Australian Rural Leadership Program - supporting work to address critical challenges and drive positive change in rural, regional and remote Australia through practical, innovative action.

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Emma Coath

Chair, Impact Club

Emma Coath is a highly regarded business leader in the Australian agrifood sector and is passionate about identifying, and supporting the development of, local solutions for global challenges that ensure a healthy planet for future generations to enjoy.

Emma is currently the interim CEO of the Royal Society of Victoria, the Executive Chair of Rocket Seeder and a Non-Executive Director of The Impact Club, Australia’s first impact investing network.

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David DJ Jochinke

President, National Farmers' Federation

David Jochinke - better known as ‘DJ’ - is a thirdgeneration farmer from Murra Warra in Victoria’s Wimmera region. He grows broadacre crops, finishes prime lambs, and spends way too much time fixing things that shouldn’t have broken in the first place.

After graduating from Longerenong College, DJ took his love for farming beyond the paddock. He’s been a tireless advocate for farmers, eventually landing the top job as President of the National Farmers’ Federation in 2023 - proof that a lifetime of talking about farming can actually get you somewhere.

Before that, he led the Victorian Farmers Federation, he sits on the board of Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water, and chairs Grampians
Wimmera Mallee Tourism - because who better to sell the beauty of the bush than a bloke who knows every back road? He’s also a Nuffield Scholar and a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, meaning he can discuss global ag policy just as easily as he can fix a busted gate.

Whether he’s battling for farmers’ rights, working the land, or explaining to city folks why supermarket shelves don’t fill themselves, DJ is all in for Australian agriculture.

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Dimity Taylor

Farmer and Physiotherapist

Dimity is a Physiotherapist, a regenerative sheep farmer, and a strong advocate for communities get a really good deal for playing their part in the energy transition. She lives next door to a wind farm, and is keen to let people know that it really is a pleasant experience that has not negative impact on them, their animals, or their bottom line.

David Lindenmayer AO

Professor at Australian National University and world-leading expert on forest conservation

Professor David Lindenmayer is a world-leading expert in biodiversity conservation, sustainable farm management, forest and woodland ecology and conservation biology. He has maintained some of the largest, long-term research programs in Australia, with some exceeding 42 years in duration, and developed expertise in ecologically sustainable farm and forest management. Professor David Lindenmayer is among the world's most productive and most highly-cited scientists and has published 49 books and 1515 scientific articles including more than 960 peerreviewed papers in international scientific journals. David Lindenmayer was an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow from 2013- 2018. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Fellow of the American Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the Ecological Society of America, Fellow of the Royal Zoological Society of NSW,. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2014. His research has been recognised through numerous awards, including the Eureka Science Prize (three times), Whitley Award (11 times), the Serventy Medal, and the Whittaker Medal. In 2024, he received the MacFarlane-Burnett Medal for Life Sciences from the Australian Academy of Sciences.

Tim Jarvis

Environmental scientist and adventurer

Tim Jarvis has worked in sustainability for over 30 years and currently provides strategic and practical sustainability advice to government and a range of corporate organisations and advocacy groups.

Tim is founder of habitat restoration project The Forktree Project, Global Ambassador and Governor of environmental NGO WWF, Southern Ocean Ambassador to Save Our Marine Life and a Vice President of Flora and Fauna International. He received the Order of Australia in 2010 for services to the environment, community and exploration and was South Australian of the Year 2024, and is Professor of Leadership Practice at Edith Cowan University.

Tim is passionate about finding pragmatic solutions to major environmental issues related to climate change and biodiversity loss and uses his expeditions, films, books and public speaking engagements to promote thinking in these areas.

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Stephanie Bashir

Principal and Founder, Nexa Advisory

Speaker bio coming soon

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Tony Inder

Wool grower and sheep grazier operating under a neighbouring solar farm

Speaker bio coming soon

Robert Mackenzie

Managing Director at Mackas Australian Black Angus Beef

Speaker bio coming soon

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Wendy Agar

CEO, Engaged Outcomes

Wendy Agar is a seasoned rural engagement expert with over 30 years of experience in securing industry, organisational, and community support for initiatives that benefit rural, regional, and remote Australians. Her career reflects a deep commitment to fostering stronger communities where economic and social advantages are shared equitably.

Wendy's expertise is backed by qualifications in education, business, and human resources, complemented by accreditations in stakeholder engagement, change management, and behavioural profiling. She is a sought-after facilitator and leadership consultant, known for her ability to translate strategy into action and principles into practice by empowering others. In 2019, her contributions were recognised when she was named a finalist in the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

With extensive regional networks and industry connections, Wendy continues to drive her mission of achieving engaged outcomes, ensuring that rural communities are actively involved in and benefit from emerging opportunities.

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Aunt Violet Sheridan

Ngunnawal Elder

Speaker bio coming soon

Susan Findlay-Tickner

Grain Farmer and Project Communications Manager at RES Australia

Susan has worked in communications and stakeholder engagement for over 25 years, initially in the Agricultural R&D sector, and more recently in the renewable energy sector as Communications Manager for RES in Australia. She is an active partner in a large, innovative dryland cropping enterprise in Western Victoria growing cereals, oilseeds and fodder. With a background in science communication, Susan has broad experience in grains and climate research, development and extension. She has bought this experience to the renewables sector and currently sits on the Board of RE-Alliance, and the Centre for Agricultural Engineering. Susan holds a Masters in Communication, a Diploma in Corporate Governance and is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program.

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Brett Hall

Farmer and Chair of Farmers for Climate Action

Brett is an Angus cattle farmer from the Derwent Valley in Tasmania. His family has a rich history with the farming and timber industries in the state.He attended the meeting of frustrated farmers in the Blue Mountains in 2015 that was the impetus behind the formation of Farmers for Climate Action (FCA). He has been a director of FCA since 2017 and is Chair of the Finance Remuneration Audit & Risk Committee.

Brett’s previous board experience includes the completion of two terms as a Director of Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) where he was the Chair of their Finance Audit and Risk Committee for 3 years. He is a former Director of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, and the Inaugural Chair of the Southern Australia Livestock Research Council.

Brett graduated from the Australian Rural leadership Program in 2012. He undertook an MBA (Agricultural Innovation) with the University of Tasmania and graduated in 2015. He also completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Company Directors Course in 2016.

Brett is passionate about agriculture providing a leadership voice about climate action and believes that with strong climate policy to keep the climate in the safe zone, we can continue the Australian tradition of having prosperous farmers and rural communities.

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Paul Binsted

Chair of the NSW EnergyCo and Chair Stanwell Corporation Limited

Paul Binsted is an accomplished corporate finance executive with a distinguished non-executive career spanning sectors such as sea ports, rail, energy, and renewables. Currently, he serves as Chairman of both the Energy Corporation of NSW and Stanwell Corporation, reflecting his extensive experience and leadership in the infrastructure and energy industries.

Throughout his executive career in corporate finance, Paul developed a deep understanding of financial strategies and operations, which he has effectively applied to his non-executive roles. His governance expertise and strategic insights have been instrumental in guiding organisations through complex industry landscapes, particularly in the realms of energy transition and infrastructure development.

Paul's leadership in both the public and private sectors underscores his commitment to advancing Australia's infrastructure and energy capabilities, ensuring sustainable growth and innovation across these critical industries.

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Brent Finlay

Cattle Farmer and Managing Director at Finlay Agricultural Industries

Brent Finlay is a seasoned cattle farmer and the Managing Director of Finlay Agricultural Industries, bringing decades of experience to the Australian agricultural sector. His extensive career encompasses leadership roles in various agricultural organisations, reflecting his deep commitment to rural communities and sustainable farming practices.

Brent has served as the President of the National Farmers' Federation (NFF), where he advocated for the interests of Australian farmers on both national and international platforms. His leadership extended to roles such as President of the Queensland Farmers' Federation and AgForce Queensland, showcasing his dedication to advancing the agricultural industry.

In addition to his leadership positions, Brent has been actively involved in community organisations, including serving as a board member for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Australian Made Campaign. His contributions to agriculture and rural communities have been recognised through various awards and honours.

At Finlay Agricultural Industries, Brent continues to implement innovative farming techniques and sustainable practices, ensuring the long-term viability of the agricultural sector. His extensive experience and unwavering commitment make him a respected figure in Australian agriculture.

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Professor Mark Howden

Director of the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions, Australian National University

Prof Mark Howden is Director of the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, a Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Chair of the ACT Climate Change Council and contributes to several other major national and international science and policy advisory bodies. Mark has worked on climate variability, climate change, innovation and adoption issues for over 36 years in partnership with many industry, community and policy groups via both research and science-policy roles and is a high profile public communicator. He helped develop the national and international greenhouse gas inventories that are a fundamental part of the Paris Agreement and pioneered sustainable ways to reduce emissions in farming systems. He has been a major contributor to the IPCC since 1991, with a record number of roles across all four dimensions of the IPCC: climate science, impacts and adaptation, mitigation and GHG inventories, sharing the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with other IPCC contributors and Al Gore.

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Mike Casey

CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa and Cherry Grower

Mike Casey is an entrepreneur and cherry orchardist from Central Otago who has electrified all the machines on his farm. He is also the CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, a New Zealand charity dedicated to electrifying millions of fossil fuel machines across the motu as quickly as possible.

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Andrew Bray

National Director of RE-Alliance

Andrew Bray has been the National Director of RE-Alliance since 2013. In that time, he has built the organisation to become the leading voice advocating for regional communities in issues around the energy transition, especially transmission, community benefit sharing and addressing impacts on local communities. Andrew has been a member of AEMO's Advisory Council on Social Licence and in 2021 was awarded the Clean Energy Council's Outstanding Contribution to Industry accolade for his long standing work in these areas. Based in one of New South Wales' prime wind districts, the Southern Tablelands, Andrew is passionate about the contribution renewable energy can make to rural and regional economies while helping Australia transition to a cleaner future.

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Jon Berry

Associate Director, Geopolitics Hub at KPMG

Jon is an experienced international trade, investment and geopolitical analyst. He has had a varied 20-year career including roles in Australia, China, Japan, Europe and Africa. Jon worked for ten years as a Melbourne-based consultant, advising most of Australia’s largest agricultural export industries, and representing their interests in Canberra and internationally.

Jon has an MBA focusing on international and intergovernmental relations from the University of Geneva, as well as a Master of Public Policy from Melbourne University with a focus on trade policy and international relations. Jon has published or contributed to numerous research papers for organisations including the Australian APEC Study Centre, the APEC Policy Support Unit, Canada’s Fraser Institute and Asialink. He is regularly interviewed by national and international media on issues of trade policy.

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Kirsten Diprose

Founder of Rural Podcasting Co and Host of Ducks on the Pond

Kirsten Diprose is a presenter and podcast business specialist who lives on a sheep, cattle and cropping property near Caramut, in south-west Victoria.

Kirsten founded the Rural Podcasting Co, a podcast coaching and agency service, specifically for people in rural areas. She has experience in media and marketing, with much of her career spent as a TV and radio journalist for the ABC. You can still hear her occasionally as a presenter on ABC Radio or see her as a regular guest on ABC TV's News Breakfast.

Kirsten co-hosts three podcasts: ‘Ducks on the Pond’ (for rural women), ‘Town Criers,’ a comedy podcast which tells the big stories of the small towns of Australia. And Two Smart Blondes, a chat show about media, the arts and pop culture.

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Dr Anika Molesworth

Farmer, Scientist and FCA Board Director

Dr Anika Molesworth lives among the rugged Barrier Ranges on Wilyakali Country in far western NSW. She is a farming and environmental scientist and a passionate storyteller. Her first book, Our Sunburnt Country, won the Royal Societies of Australia and New Zealand Writer’s Award for Outstanding Writing on Social Change. She is currently writing a children's picture book on climate solutions and regenerative agriculture. She is a Research Fellow with ANU and CSU working on international agricultural development projects in the Asia-Pacific. Awards include Young Conservationist of the Year (2022), Young Australian of the Year, New South Wales Finalist (2017), and Young Farmer of the Year (2015). Anika is widely recognised for her work ensuring the best possible future for the planet, people and the food on our plates.

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Jody Brown

Grazier and Operations Manager, Latrobe Station QLD

Jody Brown is a cattle producer from the undulating, sun-drenched plains of western Queensland. In a region that is historically drought prone, and where the amplifying effect of climate change is ramping up extreme temperatures and extending heatwaves, Jody has found great purpose in building community and knowledge sharing capacity around adaptive land management systems, that can lift the ecological health and resilience of the pastoral rangelands of Australia. She is enthusiastic about the role that agriculture can play in meeting the great complex challenges that we face as a society, and keenly aware of the need for regional communities to be at the forefront of engagement and decision making as the energy transitions evolves.

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Karin Stark

Farmer and Director of Farm Renewables Consulting

Karin Stark is the Director of Farm Renewables Consulting and founder and convener of the annual National Renewables in Agriculture Conference and Exhibition. Co-managing a wheat and cotton farm in Narromine NSW has given Karin a first-hand perspective of the energy challenges farmers face both on-farm and in their communities. They live on the edge of the country's first Renewable Energy Zone and she is a member of the NSW Farmer's Energy Transition Taskforce. She has published two reports: 'Pursuing an Agrivoltaic Future in Australia' and 'Farm Powered'.

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Charlie Prell

Founding Chair of Farmers for Climate Action

Charlie Prell is a recently retired sheep farmer from Crookwell in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. He sold his farm, which is one of four under the Crookwell 2 windfarm. He has more than 20 years experience advocating for the benefits of wind farms and renewables. Especially if a comprehensive and inclusive “benefit sharing” model is used, where the whole community shares in the benefits the infrastructure brings.

He worked for RE-Alliance for 5 years to August 2019.

He was part of the working group that formed “Farmers for Climate Action” in 2016. He was co-chair and deputy chair of Farmers for Climate Action during the period when they were establishing themselves as a credible representative farmer organisation. He became Chair of Farmers for Climate Action in October 2020 and held this role until July 2023.

He remains passionate about the health and well-being of small regional communities and in assisting these communities to meet the challenge of climate change. He continues to promote the opportunities that meeting these challenges will bring to individual farmers and the small regional communities where they live.

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Natalie Collard

CEO of Farmers for Climate Action

Natalie is a highly-regarded advocate for regional Australia, agriculture, renewable energy, innovation and women’s leadership.

An experienced cross-sectoral executive and board director, Natalie’s most recent role was CEO for Food and Fibre Great South Coast and Quartz Group, where she is an executive coach.

Her career highlights include being awarded Telstra Business Woman of the Year – Victoria (Community and Government, 2013) and Woman in Renewables of the Year (2018) for business transformation in dairy and energy respectively.

Natalie has spoken at the United Nations, managed over $1.2bn of corporate contracts, negotiated seven bilateral agreements, including Australia’s first treaty with an organisation, NATO, and was previously Chair of Women in Renewables.

Natalie’s other career highlights include managing Rural Affairs for the National Farmers’ Federation, and leading Telstra’s Corporate Affairs for Victoria and Tasmania.

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