Dr Jo Wisdom

Hub Director and innovation lead, Southwest WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub

Dr Jo Wisdom is the Director of the SW WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, and the Innovation Lead for the Grower Group Alliance, Australia’s largest farmer network. Jo has degrees in Agriculture, Anthropology and Digital Technology and a PhD in Plant Physiology.

Jo’s career spans research, teaching, industry and technology development. Her interests lie in continuing to improve connections through the Research, Development, Extension, Adoption, and Commercialisation (RDEA&C) silos, for a resilient farming future in Australia.

Karryn Duncan

Urara Farms

Karryn Duncan has been lucky to have had agriculture a part of her life from an early age with horticulture and cattle, right through to today where life is about broadacre cropping and wool on Urara Farms, West River .

Her life before becoming a partner in her farm included a degree in Ag Tech from Muresk, being an Agronomist in the Great Southern, Agronomy in Alberta Canada and working in trials and research for Pioneer Seeds and FBG.

She is passionate about her family and agriculture and with her job is lucky enough and flexible enough to combine the two. She farms with her partner Rian and sister in law Jodi near West River where each manage a different part of their farm. The hats Karryn wears on the farm are agronomy, Human Resources, chef and she 'can fill in/drive most things alright with a five minute refresher' bench warmer.

Jarrad Hubbard

Livestock Agent and Auctioneer, Nutrien

Jarrad Hubbard is a respected livestock agent and auctioneer based in Mount Barker, Western Australia, with a career spanning nearly two decades. Commencing his journey in the livestock industry in 2007, Jarrad has cultivated a robust skill set in livestock marketing and auctioneering, earning recognition for his expertise and dedication.

Growing up in the Eastern Wheatbelt, Jarrad was immersed in the livestock industry from an early age, inspired by his father's work as a stock agent and auctioneer. This early exposure instilled in him a deep appreciation for the agricultural sector and a commitment to excellence that has defined his professional trajectory.

Currently, Jarrad plays a pivotal role at the Mount Barker Regional Saleyards, where he contributes to the coordination and execution of weekly cattle sales. His responsibilities encompass a range of activities, including liaising with clients, assessing livestock, and facilitating transactions, all conducted with a focus on integrity and client satisfaction.

Known for his honesty, resilience, and commitment to community, Jarrad continues to be a trusted name in Western Australia’s livestock industry.

Philip Brunner

Director, Bailiwick Legal (LLB, BA Business)

With qualifications in both Business and Law, Phil uses his 30 + years of industry experience to advise clients across all fields of commercial operations including agriculture, tourism, commercial law, and workplace relations.

Recognised repeatedly as a “Leading Agribusiness Lawyer” by Doyle’s Guide, Phil is also a specialist in Agribusiness, assisting clients with negotiation of access and compensation agreements, land clearing, grain contracts and trading, farm sales & leasing, farming succession and animal welfare matters.

Having worked in both national and local law firms, Phil has appeared before Fair Work Australia, the Federal Magistrates Court, and the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission. Phil is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia, WAFarmers and many other industry groups.

Carryn Hills

Partner - Lincolns

Carryn Hills is a Partner at Lincolns with over 25 years of experience in Accounting. Carryn is known for her strong technical expertise, practical advice and her genuine care for clients—many of whom are farmers.

Carryn brings together a passion for supporting others in building great places to work and a deep understanding of the pressures that come with managing people in rural businesses. As a leader herself, Carryn is also committed to shaping a positive and accountable culture at Lincolns, where people can grow professionally and contribute meaningfully.

Laura Carter

Agronomist- Delta Agribusiness

Laura lives and farms with her husband in Narrikup with their 1.5 year old daughter, Rosie. Laura has been an agronomist for 8 years previously working for Nutrien and Elders and now working part-time with the team at Delta Agribusiness in Albany and Manypeaks. The days at home are spent working on the farm, doing the farm books and overseeing a wholesaling business which we have recently bought.

Playing sport and being a mum is what Lauren enjoys as well as living rurally and and working in the agriculture industry. She wouldn’t have it any other way!

Rachael North

Norths Flowers WA

In 2010 my husband Clinton North returned to his family farming business. I joined him on the family farm in 2013 when we married, started our family and began running the business together.

Our business, Norths Flowers W.A. is a family run farm which wholesales native flowers and follows both locally and interstate.

Every day it is challenging and exciting and definitely never boring to run your own business and to be a West Australian farmer.

Esther Price

Esther Price Promotions

Esther Price delivers executive and strategic communication services to agricultural industries Australia-wide.

After an early career as a livestock journalist, Esther spent 20 years as the founder and managing director of Esther Price Promotions (EPP) – a regional events, communications and executive services company with an Australia-wide portfolio of clients.

She created and delivered purpose-focused events and campaigns to grow the reputation, resilience and sustainability of agricultural industries. LambEx, BeefEx and the Australian Dairy Conference are among them.

A relaxed and engaging public speaker, Esther also coaches others to effectively articulate a message that resonates. Her presentation coaching is widely acclaimed by company directors, CEOs, agricultural scientists, extension staff and farmers throughout the Australian ag sector.

Esther will take on the dual role of emcee at our Women in Farming event and also deliver an after-lunch keynote that gives a unique insight into how excellence in communication (or the lack of) can make or break an industry, a business or indeed the family of the business.

Esther is known for her energy, passion and drive, and her capacity to galvanise people into action.

Ian Donaldson

Senior Manager, Rural Valuations, Rabobank

Ian is a member of Rabobank’s in-house real estate appraisal team; a team that is tasked with the responsibility of completing in excess of 10,000 property appraisals per year within Australia for securities held by the bank.

Ian has been with Rabobank for more than 22 years having first joined the bank in 2003 as a Rural Manager in the Bunbury branch. The majority of his banking career has been based in Albany from 2006. In late 2015, Ian moved into the newly created Collateral Risk Team(CRT) as part of the banks internal rural valuation team.

Over the duration with Rabobank, Ian has gained a strong understanding of a wide range of farming enterprises across all the WA agricultural regions

Prior to Rabobank, Ian had a broad range of agricultural experience from time the family farm at Mt Barker, vineyard management and farm management consulting

Outside of banking, Ian is a keen cyclist, follower of sport and enjoys the challenges of maintaining a vege patch!

Fiona Kirk

Account Manager, Country Wide Insurance Brokers

Fiona Kirk loves all things agricultural, and through her role as an Account Manager for Country Wide Insurance Brokers she uses this passion to focus on providing tailored insurance solutions for farming and related industries.

Fiona’s approach is grounded in building strong relationships and understanding the unique requirements of her clients. She believes that knowing her clients, customers and colleagues well makes it easier to find the right solutions to meet their needs.

Outside of work, Fiona is a self-proclaimed 'wannabe farmer'. She recently purchased a small herd of Highland cattle, turning her hobby farm into a growing passion. It’s her happy place, and each weekend brings new plans to expand her farm. While her kids once joked she’d become a crazy cat lady, Fiona now affectionately embraces the idea of being a 'crazy cow lady'.

Living in her hometown of Wagin allows Fiona to balance her love for farming with her commitment to supporting the local community, where many of her clients are based. To her, it’s not just work–it’s a social lifestyle that ties her to the land and the people she serves.

Rob Maroni

Director-Wealth Management, Canaccord Genuity Financial Ltd.

Rob has 40 years of experience in dealing with higher net worth clients, business owners and Superannuation Trustees, in all aspects of Financial, Estate, Succession and investment planning and management. He is easy to talk to, readily accessible and will help you solve issues pertaining to your specific needs.

My role is to help clients navigate through life’s complexities and guide them in finding financial solutions to help them achieve the lifestyle, peace-of-mind, and financial security that they desire for themselves and their Family.

Jenni Leonard

Practice Manager - Lincolns

Jenni Leonard is the Practice Manager at Lincolns. With a strong background in Human Resources, operations and team development, Jenni brings a deeply practical and people-focused approach to managing people and the workplace.

Through her work with many local farming clients and presentations at the annual Lincolns Rural Tour, Jenni brings both personal and professional perspectives to the challenges and joys of rural employment.

Kerryn Mickle

Small Business & Rural Financial Councillor - Rural West

Kerryn has over 30 years’ experience in the agricultural industry in an advisory capacity and managing corporate owned businesses in the Great Southern.

Continually expanding her knowledge of livestock and cropping production systems has been a keen focus. She has an appreciation for the agriculture community and is often involved in community projects.

Kerryn has spent time as a director on the Polocrosse Association of Australia Board where she was involved in the High-Performance Development Plan for Australia team including players, coaches, and managers. She also ran the social media marketing projects, was the representative reporting to ASADA and organised the Drugs in Sport Education for Polocrosse Australia.

She is now heavily involved with the Australian Stockhorses in WA where she judges and competes regularly, when not coaching at her local pony club in Kojonup.

Kerryn believes in putting back into her community, she is a shire councillor for the Shire of Kojonup and a member of community groups such as SPARK (Suicide Prevention Around Regional Kojonup).

Richard Avery

Farm Gate Advisory

Growing up on a sheep and beef farm in New Zealand, Richard has always loved all things farming. He studied Agricultural Business Management at Charles Sturt University and has held operational roles on cropping farms in WA.
Upon the Australian wheat market being deregulated, Richard saw an opportunity to help growers market their grain. 17 years later, Richard primarily works to assist WA growers with their grain marketing, acting as a broker and strategic advisor. He also sits on several family and corporate farm advisory boards, providing his perspective on business risk and strategy.
He holds an MBA and has completed several AICD courses. He enjoys climbing in the local mountains with his wife and 2 children, and time on their small farm at Mt Barker.

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