Finalists announced for the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year
Three outstanding dairy sector leaders have been named as finalists by Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) for the prestigious Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award. The annual award recognises and celebrates the exceptional leadership and contributions of women in New Zealand’s dairy sector.
The 2025 finalists are:
- Frances Beeston – A passionate Canterbury dairy farmer with a deep connection to farming and commitment to supporting rural communities.
- Jo Sheridan – A dedicated Waikato-based leader in the dairy industry, known for her passion for sustainability, education, and community engagement.
- Lara Sutton – A dynamic industry professional and herd-owning sharemilker, based in Waikato, with a unique blend of commercial and practical expertise.
These exceptional women have made significant contributions that demonstrates their commitment to the success of the dairy sector. Each finalist has played a crucial role in driving positive change, supporting rural communities, and championing innovation within the industry.
Jenna Smith, DWN Trustee and award judge says this year’s award nominations showcased an impressive breadth of talent from across our sector.
“It is fantastic to see nominations that reflect the strength and diversity of our network – whether it’s hands on farmers, emerging leaders, or rural professionals driving progress behind the scenes. Many of the nominees brought together community values, environmental care, commercial insight and industry expertise – highlighting the depth of skill within the dairy community,” she says.
The finalists were selected by a judging panel comprising Smith, 2023 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Donna Cram and representatives from Fonterra, Rural Leaders, and Ballance Agri-Nutrients.
Smith said the judges were looking for women who, through their commitment and passion, have made considerable contributions to both their own community, but also to the wider sector. They demonstrate a deep understanding for the sectors potential and could articulate the role they intend to play in that landscape.
“Frances has consistently shown up for her community and the wider sector. She has a deep understanding of her “why” and her people-centric advocacy passion stood out to the judges.”
“Lara left the judges with a clear sense of her ability to connect then lead. Her demonstrated ability to continue to challenge herself, has seen her seize opportunity and develop significant process and progress in the dairy industry.”
“Jo demonstrated passion, authenticity and a strong realistic vision of how she can continue to make positive impact in the sector. The judges were left with a clear impression of Jo’s energy and passion for the sector.”
The recipient of the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Award will receive a scholarship to the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. This package includes the programme fee, travel and accommodation costs, mentoring, and access to DWN and Fonterra platforms to share their research.
The thirteenth Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year will be announced on May 1 at the Gala Dinner during the DWN2025 Conference, themed “Success through Inspiration”. Registrations are open to join in celebrating the finalists at the Conference and Gala Dinner, find out more at: https://www.dwn.co.nz/dwn2025conference
