First female President/Board Chair elected

April 2023

The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has just elected the first female President/Board Chair in its 55-year history. Congratulations to Jenni Vernon, a Waikato farmer and businesswoman who has been on the board for the past 10 years and served as Vice President for the past 3 years. Jenni was elected unopposed at the Society’s Annual General Meeting held on March 21.

Jenni brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent more than four decades in farming and governance, and being the first female Nuffield Scholar and the first woman chair of Environment Waikato. She farms a dry stock unit in partnership with her husband and son. Jenni also sits on the NZ Geographic Board, is a Justice of the Peace and is an accredited Resource Management Act Hearings Commissioner. She has previously held governance positions with Agri-Women's Development Trust, Tooku awa koiora - Waikato River Authority, The University of Waikato and the Waikato Regional Council.

In her own words, Jenni feels privileged to take up the role of President for the Society. She acknowledges the proud history of delivering world-class events, including Fieldays® , and is committed to supporting the growth in Agriculture through the Society’s purpose of advancing the primary sector through Innovation, Education, and Globalisation.

Jenni takes over from outgoing President James Allen, who provided leadership during the incredibly uncertain times of COVID19. Jenni looks forward to working with the new board along with Peter Nation MinstD, CEO, and his management team to continue to deliver on a strong strategic direction and plan for growth.

With just over 80 days to go until Fieldays® 2023, Jenni and the new board have plenty of work to do. They will continue to deliver on a strong strategic direction and plan for growth, supported by a great team of staff, volunteers, and members who are devoted to the cause and outcomes that the organisation contributes to the NZ economy.

Congratulations once again to Jenni and the new board, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future!
 

The newly appointed New Zealand National Fieldays Society Board is as follows:

President – Jenni Vernon
Vice President – Tim Hale
Immediate past – James Allen
Lynette Pearks
Graeme Austin
Margaret Cameron
Clinton Gulliver
Jo Finer
Mike Chapman
Barry Quayle