Together with her husband Adam, Kate manages a 620ha farm in North Otago where they raise and finish 500 dairy-beef and graze 1400 dairy stock. She was elected as a director of Ravensdown in September of last year, winning the South Island director election.
In a statement, Kate mentioned that she was deliberate in preparing for a board role, but remaining open to opportunities and not confined to a specific path allowed her to achieve her governance aspirations.
She emphasized the importance of developing business acumen, governance skills, and networking with industry professionals to prepare for her directorship. Kate’s diligence in researching and aligning herself with Ravensdown’s values further solidified her decision to pursue the role.
Since joining the board, Kate’s passion for the organization has only grown. She appreciates the insights gained into product distribution and on-farm operations, describing the experience as peering under the hood to understand the inner workings of the company.
Aside from her role at Ravensdown, Kate is actively involved in the North Otago Sustainable Land Management Group Steering Board and previously served as a board intern at Port Otago and Chalmers Properties, sparking her interest in governance early in her career.
Her advice to potential director candidates includes being clear on their skills, aligning values with the organization, treating the process like a project, embracing authenticity, and seizing opportunities for growth and leadership.
This year, shareholders will have the chance to nominate and elect two directors to the Ravensdown board—one from the North Island and one from the South Island. The voting process is expected to commence late next month.
