Get your nominations and applications in now.

That's the message ahead of the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Awards from Methven-based 2020 champion Ash-Leigh Campbell.

"We all know someone we could tap on the shoulder and nominate.

"That's what makes the awards special – it's generally women from the dairy sector nominating other women from the dairy sector; it's about uplifting others and sharing success."

The award is open to nominations and applications for women who support the wider dairy sector and its people, are committed to giving back to their communities, and have a vision to add value to the future of dairy through their leadership aspirations.

The awards, run by the Dairy Women's Network (DWN), are in their 14th year. Campbell's win in 2020 occurred during COVID restrictions, making her experience different from most other winners' as the process took place online.

"I remember they announced the winner online, and it didn't sink in because it was just me and my flatmate in lockdown."

Despite this, Campbell said she has benefited from winning the coveted award.

"It was different to others, but I definitely made the most of the opportunities that came my way, and DWN was very supportive, helping me to still achieve and make the most of my year in 2020."

Campbell exited a share milking partnership in North Canterbury at the end of last season and is focusing on her role as key account manager for Halter.

Campbell said winning the award helped develop her career inside and outside the farm gate.

"It helped me in my career, getting exposure to networks and connections.

"Dairy Women's Network did such a good job of connecting me with people; that's one of the things I took away from it."

The award winner receives a scholarship to the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, which includes the programme fee, travel and accommodation, mentoring, and access to the Dairy Women's Network and Fonterra platforms to share their research.

Campbell received scholarship money for her win, which funded a five-day company governance director course with The Institute of Directors New Zealand.

This course paved the way for her internship as an associate director for The 2025 Fonterra Diary Woman of the Year Awards are open, and Methven-based 2020 winner Ash-Leigh Campbell is urging people to get their nominations and applications in.

"We all know someone we could tap on the shoulder and nominate.

"That's what makes the awards special – it's generally women from the dairy sector nominating other women from the dairy sector; it's about uplifting others and sharing success."

The award is open to nominations and applications for women who support the wider dairy sector and its people, are committed to giving back to their communities, and have a vision to add value to the future of dairy through their leadership aspirations.

The awards, run by the Dairy Women's Network (DWN), are in their 14th year. Campbell's win in 2020 occurred during COVID restrictions, making her experience different from most other winners' as the process took place online.

"I remember they announced the winner online, and it didn't sink in because it was just me and my flatmate in lockdown."

Despite this, Campbell said she has benefited from winning the coveted award.

"It was different to others, but I definitely made the most of the opportunities that came my way, and DWN was very supportive, helping me to still achieve and make the most of my year in 2020."

Campbell exited a share milking partnership in North Canterbury at the end of last season and is focusing on her role as key account manager for Halter.

Campbell said winning the award helped develop her career inside and outside the farm gate.

"It helped me in my career, getting exposure to networks and connections.

"Dairy Women's Network did such a good job of connecting me with people; that's one of the things I took away from it."

The award winner receives a scholarship to the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, which includes the programme fee, travel and accommodation, mentoring, and access to the Dairy Women's Network and Fonterra platforms to share their research.

Campbell received scholarship money for her win, which funded a five-day company governance director course with The Institute of Directors New Zealand.

This course paved the way for her internship as an associate director for The 2025 Fonterra Diary Woman of the Year Awards are open, and Methven-based 2020 winner Ash-Leigh Campbell is urging people to get their nominations and applications in.

"We all know someone we could tap on the shoulder and nominate.

"That's what makes the awards special – it's generally women from the dairy sector nominating other women from the dairy sector; it's about uplifting others and sharing success."

The award is open to nominations and applications for women who support the wider dairy sector and its people, are committed to giving back to their communities, and have a vision to add value to the future of dairy through their leadership aspirations.

The awards, run by the Dairy Women's Network (DWN), are in their 14th year. Campbell's win in 2020 occurred during COVID restrictions, making her experience different from most other winners' as the process took place online.

"I remember they announced the winner online, and it didn't sink in because it was just me and my flatmate in lockdown."

Despite this, Campbell said she has benefited from winning the coveted award.

"It was different to others, but I definitely made the most of the opportunities that came my way, and DWN was very supportive, helping me to still achieve and make the most of my year in 2020."

Campbell exited a share milking partnership in North Canterbury at the end of last season and is focusing on her role as key account manager for Halter.

Campbell said winning the award helped develop her career inside and outside the farm gate.

"It helped me in my career, getting exposure to networks and connections.

"Dairy Women's Network did such a good job of connecting me with people; that's one of the things I took away from it."

The award winner receives a scholarship to the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, which includes the programme fee, travel and accommodation, mentoring, and access to the Dairy Women's Network and Fonterra platforms to share their research.

Campbell received scholarship money for her win, which funded a five-day company governance director course with The Institute of Directors New Zealand.

This course paved the way for her internship as an associate director for  The 2025 Fonterra Diary Woman of the Year Awards are open, and Methven-based 2020 winner Ash-Leigh Campbell is urging people to get their nominations and applications in.

"We all know someone we could tap on the shoulder and nominate.

"That's what makes the awards special – it's generally women from the dairy sector nominating other women from the dairy sector; it's about uplifting others and sharing success."

The award is open to nominations and applications for women who support the wider dairy sector and its people, are committed to giving back to their communities, and have a vision to add value to the future of dairy through their leadership aspirations.

The awards, run by the Dairy Women's Network (DWN), are in their 14th year. Campbell's win in 2020 occurred during COVID restrictions, making her experience different from most other winners' as the process took place online.

"I remember they announced the winner online, and it didn't sink in because it was just me and my flatmate in lockdown."

Despite this, Campbell said she has benefited from winning the coveted award.

"It was different to others, but I definitely made the most of the opportunities that came my way, and DWN was very supportive, helping me to still achieve and make the most of my year in 2020."

Campbell exited a share milking partnership in North Canterbury at the end of last season and is focusing on her role as key account manager for Halter.

Campbell said winning the award helped develop her career inside and outside the farm gate.

"It helped me in my career, getting exposure to networks and connections.

"Dairy Women's Network did such a good job of connecting me with people; that's one of the things I took away from it."

The award winner receives a scholarship to the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, which includes the programme fee, travel and accommodation, mentoring, and access to the Dairy Women's Network and Fonterra platforms to share their research.

Campbell received scholarship money for her win, which funded a five-day company governance director course with The Institute of Directors New Zealand.

This course paved the way for her internship as an associate director for Pāmu Farms.

"It enabled me to follow my passion and interest in governance and created a snowball effect for governance opportunities.

"I don't think I would have received that associate directorship without the stepping stones that came out of winning the award in 2020."

DWN trustee and lead judge Jenna Smith said judges for this year's awards will be looking for a person who demonstrates diverse leadership talents to become the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Women of the Year.

"She will embody the skillset needed for the current and future state of dairying in Aotearoa - a blend of community engagement, environmental stewardship, professional expertise, and commercial insight.

"This woman will know how to influence change and have the courage to steer down the challenges and opportunities our sector presents."

The selection panel consists of five judges including representatives from DWN, Fonterra, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Rural Leaders and a previous Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year recipient.

Nominations and applications for the award close on February 28, 2025, and winners will be announced at a gala dinner later in the year.

The finalists will receive complimentary registration to the DWN2025 conference, a ticket to the Gala Dinner, and travel and accommodation.

Pamu Farms.

"It enabled me to follow my passion and interest in governance and created a snowball effect for governance opportunities.

"I don't think I would have received that associate directorship without the stepping stones that came out of winning the award in 2020."

DWN trustee and lead judge Jenna Smith said judges for this year's awards will be looking for a person who demonstrates diverse leadership talents to become the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Women of the Year.

"She will embody the skillset needed for the current and future state of dairying in Aotearoa - a blend of community engagement, environmental stewardship, professional expertise, and commercial insight.

"This woman will know how to influence change and have the courage to steer down the challenges and opportunities our sector presents."

The selection panel consists of five judges including representatives from DWN, Fonterra, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Rural Leaders and a previous Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year recipient.

Nominations and applications for the award close on February 28, 2025, and winners will be announced at a gala dinner later in the year.

The finalists will receive complimentary registration to the DWN2025 conference, a ticket to the Gala Dinner, and travel and accommodation.

Farms.

"It enabled me to follow my passion and interest in governance and created a snowball effect for governance opportunities.

"I don't think I would have received that associate directorship without the stepping stones that came out of winning the award in 2020."

DWN trustee and lead judge Jenna Smith said judges for this year's awards will be looking for a person who demonstrates diverse leadership talents to become the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Women of the Year.

"She will embody the skillset needed for the current and future state of dairying in Aotearoa - a blend of community engagement, environmental stewardship, professional expertise, and commercial insight.

"This woman will know how to influence change and have the courage to steer down the challenges and opportunities our sector presents."

The selection panel consists of five judges including representatives from DWN, Fonterra, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Rural Leaders and a previous Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year recipient.

Nominations and applications for the award close on February 28, 2025, and winners will be announced at a gala dinner later in the year.

The finalists will receive complimentary registration to the DWN2025 conference, a ticket to the Gala Dinner, and travel and accommodation.

Farms.

"It enabled me to follow my passion and interest in governance and created a snowball effect for governance opportunities.

"I don't think I would have received that associate directorship without the stepping stones that came out of winning the award in 2020."

DWN trustee and lead judge Jenna Smith said judges for this year's awards will be looking for a person who demonstrates diverse leadership talents to become the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Women of the Year.

"She will embody the skillset needed for the current and future state of dairying in Aotearoa - a blend of community engagement, environmental stewardship, professional expertise, and commercial insight.

"This woman will know how to influence change and have the courage to steer down the challenges and opportunities our sector presents."

The selection panel consists of five judges including representatives from DWN, Fonterra, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Rural Leaders and a previous Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year recipient.

Nominations and applications for the award close on February 28, 2025, and winners will be announced at a gala dinner later in the year.

The finalists will receive complimentary registration to the DWN2025 conference, a ticket to the Gala Dinner, and travel and accommodation.