MEDIA RELEASE
11 May 2017
Canterbury director and shareholder is Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year
A Canterbury woman who has dedicated her career as a rural professional to New Zealand’s dairy industry is 2017’s
Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Jessie Chan-Dorman, a Fonterra Shareholders’ Councillor, won the coveted title out of a group of three finalists which
included CEO of Sirona Animal Health Claire Nicholson and agribusiness consultant Jolene Germann. The awards ceremony
was held tonight in Queenstown as part of a gala dinner at the Dairy Women’s Network’s annual conference.
Chan-Dorman, whose peers say is equally as confident at a grassroots level as she is in her governance and leadership
roles, is director of the Ashburton Trading Society and is a Fonterra Shareholder representing farms in Rakaia. In
addition to being a Fonterra Shareholders’ Councillor, she is also on the Holstein Friesian New Zealand External Affairs
Committee and a member of the Institute of Directors and New Zealand Asian Leaders.
With a career spanning farming through to business and governance, Chan-Dorman’s experience stems from her roles in
large organisations such as DairyNZ and Environment Canterbury, and volunteer positions with Federated Farmers, the Land
Use Futures Board, Land and Water forum and Ballance AgriNutrients as a judge for their farm environment awards.
Dairy Women’s Network CEO Zelda de Villers says Chan-Dorman is a worthy recipient of the title, citing her positive role
modelling for others in the rural sector and her ability to work across all aspects of the dairy spectrum.
“Jessie’s career over the past decade has seen her add extraordinary value to the business of dairy in New Zealand,” she
says. “It’s clear that across the variety of roles she has had, from volunteering through to business ownership and
governance, she has made it a priority to share her expertise and give back where she can.
“Jessie also brings her diverse experience and background through various forums to influence outcomes. She’s unique in
that she recognises that issues need representation from different perspectives and she’s not afraid to have tough
conversations.
“We’re very proud to present her with the Dairy Woman of the Year title.”
Fonterra General Manager NZ Industry Affairs Jo Finer says Chan-Dorman is deserving of the award.
“What quickly became clear in Jessie’s nomination is that she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty, but is more than
capable of seeing the bigger picture at the same time,” says Finer. “Experience like Jessie’s is incredibly valuable in
this industry.
“On behalf of Fonterra I’d like to congratulate her on this achievement and we’re looking forward to seeing more great
things from her in the future.”
Chan-Dorman says the award is great step for her to continue role-modelling dairy leadership to her peers and those
looking to come through the ranks.
“I see myself further influencing change by being involved at a governance or representation level in our cooperatives
and advocating for the next generation to get involved in the industry with skin in the game.
“New Zealand’s dairy industry is unique in that we structure our farming businesses to bring the next generation of men
and women on to the farm. I’m looking forward to working further on these kinds of collaborative relationships at a
higher level.”
Chan-Dorman receives a scholarship prize of up to $20,000 to undertake a professional/business development programme.
-ENDS-