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Tuesday, 25 January 2022 07:55

Trailblazer gets gong for services to dairy

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Jessie Chan wants to see more talk around how women can run businesses and participate in strategy and governance. Jessie Chan wants to see more talk around how women can run businesses and participate in strategy and governance.

Canterbury farmer and agribusiness leader Jessie Chan says it feels surreal to have been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit.

"While I am very grateful to be acknowledged, it feels surreal, as I know there are so many deserving people in the industry that have put in decades of inspiring work," she told Dairy News.

Chan's award was part of the New Year's honours list announced by the Government.

She got an email from the Government awards department.

"I was told to keep it confidential and I didn't know who nominated me."

Chan is a trailblazer in the dairy sector holding governance and management roles for the past 15 years.

Chan was the first provincial President of the Wellington Young Farmers' Club between 2008 and 2009.

Between 2009 and 2017 she was on the Federated Farmers dairy section national executive and vice president and chair of the Dairy Section of Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers.

She was awarded Fonterra's Dairy Woman of the Year in 2017 and has served as a Fonterra shareholders councillors, an associate director of DairyNZ and on the Land Use Futures Board.

Currently she chairs the Ruralco board and is a director of Ngāi Tahu Farming Ltd, Alpine Energy Ltd and Bioprotection Aotearoa.

Her citation says she is a member of Super Diverse Women which showcases female leaders across all sectors of the community.

Chan says her award shows that gender or ethnicity is no issue.

"It shows that we can all do whatever we put our minds to, regardless of gender, ethnicity or background. There are still some stereotypes to overcome, but I know we will get there.

"For example, I would love to see less talk in the dairy industry about women rearing calves and looking after staff, and more talk about how women run the business and participate in strategy and governance."

Chan says she would like to dedicate the award to her father who passed away last year.

"He was a pivotal influence in my life and laid the foundations for everything I have learnt so far.

"In addition, I have had many mentors over the years who have gone out of their way to provide advice and help me grow.

"The primary sector in particular is very good at sharing knowledge and providing opportunities for the next generation."

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