Esther Donkersloot is the Breeding Scheme Technical Manager at LIC, a herd improvement co-operative delivering superior genetics and tech to dairy farmers. Esther is based at Newstead, Hamilton.
Speaker Directory
Welcome to the Rural Leaders Speaker Directory. Our programme alumni live, work and lead in rural communities across Aotearoa and in nearly every industry across food and fibre.
The programme alumni listed are able to speak at your next industry engagement. They can be filtered by region, industry and by their specialist topics.
Once you have found a speaker, you will need to fill a short form (very short) to make contact and arrangements with the speaker directly.
If you have any queries or need additional help finding a speaker, contact Matt at Matthampton@ruralleaders.co.nz. For alumni who wish to become a speaker, please fill out this form.
Filter by speaking region
Filter by speaking topic
Filter by industry
Esther Donkersloot
- New Zealand-Wide
Industries:
- Dairy
Speaking Topics:
- Breeding Scheme
- Genetics
- Herd Improvement
- International Dairy Genetics
- NZ Dairy
Programmes:
Iain Inglis
- New Zealand-Wide
Focus on low stress Livestock handling training and awareness to benefit the NZ Food and Fibre Sector’s people, perception and production!
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- Sheep and beef
- Feedlotting
- Farm training systems
Speaking Topics:
- Livestock Handling
- Feedlotting
- On-Farm training systems
Programmes:
Mike Salvesen
- Canterbury
I did the Kellogg programme in 2010. I have since been President of Midcanterbury Federated farmers and led other community groups also. I have been in NZ for 22 years.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- Deer
- Beef
- Sheep
Speaking Topics:
- Dry stock farming
- Engagement with councils
- Environmental management and compliance
Programmes:
Dan Steele
- New Zealand-Wide
Blue Duck Station Ruapehu district, Whanganui, River, Hill, country, sheep and Beef, tourism, hunting, fine, dining, honey, carbon. Conservation in the DNA, NZ advocate.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- Conservation
- Agri tourism
- Diversification
- Sheep and beef
Speaking Topics:
- Potential of New Zealand
- Conservation
- Agri tourism
- Diversification
- Back country stories
Programmes:
Catherine Miller
- Manawatu-Whanganui, Taranaki, Waikato
I farm sheep and beef near Taumarunui, King Country. My Kellogg research looked into how we might develop a food system that benefits everyone in the community.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- Sheep and beef
- Dairy
- Horticulture
- Community Sector/Social Enterprise
Speaking Topics:
- Bringing local solutions to problems
- Creating food systems that benefit community
- Fostering an entrepeneurial spirit
Programmes:
Lucy Johnson
Speaking Notes
I’m happy to travel and speak more widely on my learnings, personal journey, etc. and reflect on national matters but I have more familiarity with Canterbury-centric rules and regulations.
I live by a little saying that is “I care, I listen, I gave, and I grew” – that by creating relationships both parties can gain so much.
- Canterbury, South Island
I am a passionate people person; I learn by doing, hearing from others and sharing my knowledge. I am committed to making a difference to the people I work alongside.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- People and Wellbeing
- Environmental
- Process and Systems
- Dairy
- Governance
Speaking Topics:
- People and Wellbeing
- Environmental
- Leadership and Governance
- Quality and Lean system thinking
Programmes:
Cheyenne Wilson
- New Zealand-Wide
Māori agribusiness advisor and governance professional creating practical solutions with farmers, organisations and communities to strengthen food and fibre.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- Agribusiness
- Māori Agribusiness
- Dairy
- Sheep and Beef
Speaking Topics:
- Supporting rangatahi in food and fibre
- Wellbeing and Resilience
- Māori agribusiness and kaupapa Māori approaches in food and fibre
- Cultural capability in food and fibre industries
- Food and Fibre Workforce Development
Programmes:
Anna Benny
- Otago, Southland
Anna is a food scientist married to a dairy farmer. Working in the NZ and UK food industry for the last 15 years, she is fascinated by how food is produced and consumed.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- Dairy
- Food Processing
- Red Meat
Speaking Topics:
- Alternative protein risk to NZ
- Food Science
- Careers in the food industry
Programmes:
Simon Cook
- New Zealand-Wide
As well as being a Kiwifruit grower for over 20 years, I have held numerous roles across the Kiwifruit Industry including my current role as Chair of KVH.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- Kiwifruit
- Avocados
- Horticulture
Speaking Topics:
- Kiwifruit
- Biosecurity
- Agrichemical availability and application
- Avocados
Programmes:
Gary Massicks
- Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Whanganui, Marlborough-Tasman, North Island, Taranaki, Wellington
An Agricultural Consultant working in both the dairy and sheep/beef industries, and a senior rugby referee here in the Manawatu. I enjoy the role of helping families and giving back.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- Dairy
- Sheep and beef
- Financial Management and planning
- Public Speaking and Emceeing
Speaking Topics:
- Business Management
- Public Speaking
- GHG's and the ETS
- Succession
- Strategic Planning
Programmes:
Emily Walker
- Canterbury, New Zealand-Wide, Otago, South Island, Southland
Podcaster, engineer, strategic thinker. Passionate about rural people, our communities, and supporting smarter decisions in agribusiness.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- Professional services
- Communications/ engagement
- Sheep and Beef
Speaking Topics:
- Taking action before you're ready
- Strategy and decision making
- Leadership, personal development, motivation
Programmes:
Charles Merfield
Speaking Notes
I am happy to speak anywhere in NZ and have been speaking across the country at fieldays, workshops, seminars, conference etc on a wide range of topics.
I have extensive experience presenting to farmers and growers in all formats and am widely regarded as being an informative, scientifically up to date, and entertaining speaker including winning the 2024 Organic NZ Leader of the Year for my work in science communication.
- New Zealand-Wide
I am an agroecologist specialising in non-chemical weed management, biological control and soil health working at the interface between science and farming helping producers.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- Yes
Industries:
- Horticulture (both field and protected cropping)
- Arable
- All sectors at a high level
Speaking Topics:
- Agroecology / sustainable / regenerative and organic agriculture
- Physical and ecological weed management incl. herbicide resistance
- Soils, particularly soil biology and health
- All aspects of biological control
- High level overview of the future of farming
Programmes:
Tom Mandeno
- Waikato
Tom is a Waikato sheep and beef farmer. Tom and his wife Anna run 555 hectares at Waikaretu, finishing lambs and cattle sustainably. Tom has held national agricultural leadership roles and remains a strong advocate for pastoral farming and rural community wellbeing in New Zealand.
Can speak without AV display?
- Yes
Can travel by air if funded?
- No
Industries:
- Wool
- Red Meat
- Dairy
Speaking Topics:
- Wool
- Local Government
- Nuffield
- General Agriculture
Programmes: