After a year at the Rural Leaders Board table, Katie Rodwell is signing off as our Associate Trustee, taking with her a better understanding of governance, and a healthy appreciation for the people who help Rural Leaders continue on its mission to grow world-class leaders for our country.
Katie, a 2019 Kellogg Scholar, joined the Board with two things in mind: to learn from the considerable experience around the table, and to give something back to an organisation that had played an important role in her own career.
“I think the depth of experience on the Board was really interesting for me,” Katie says. “As an associate, you set out to learn as much as you can while you have that privileged time.”
That opportunity that was valuable as Katie has continued to build a career at the intersection of agriculture, sustainability and business. She joined Rabobank in 2022 after eight years with Farmlands, where she was Head of Sustainability and Land Use, and has worked with farmers and businesses on the increasingly complex sustainability challenges facing the food and fibre sector.
She has also brought that perspective to the wider sector through her work as a host of Rabobank’s Growing Our Future podcast, exploring everything from agri-tech and soil health to catchment communities and the future of farming.
But it was the opportunity to see governance firsthand that Katie says has been one of the biggest benefits of her year.
“You just don’t see it when you’re presenting to boards,” she says. “When you’re on the other end of the table, you’ve got such a different lens, the things they’re considering, weighing up and looking at through a risk lens.”
The experience has also reinforced for Katie the value of the relationships created through Rural Leaders programmes. She sees huge potential in the organisation’s alumni network and believes keeping those connections alive can help encourage the many leaders who have come through Rural Leaders to continue making a difference across the sector.
Her advice to the next generation? Take the opportunities. Give it a crack. And make the most of the people you meet along the way.
That is, in many ways, exactly what the Associate Trustee opportunity is designed to do: provide emerging leaders with the chance to contribute to Board discussions while gaining first-hand experience of governance alongside an experienced Board.
Katie has made the most of it. She leaves the role with a deeper understanding of governance, an even stronger connection to Rural Leaders, and a few more people she can pick up the phone to.
If you are an alum of Rural Leaders’ programmes between 2020 and 2026 inclusive, and would like to be considered for the Rural Leaders Associate Trustee role, take a look at the position description here (PD to come).
Applications should be made by Sunday 20th September, 5pm to jamesryan@ruralleaders.co.nz
For any questions, please contact: James Ryan, Chief Executive Officer
Phone: 027 324 5517
Email: jamesryan@ruralleaders.co.nz
