Empowering women at the forefront of agricultural leadership
Friday 23 January 2026 Media release
A new round of emerging leaders from across regional South Australia has been selected to participate in a professional development program aimed at empowering women in agriculture and agribusiness.
Sponsored by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), the Stepping into Leadership Program is run by Women Together Learning (WoTL), an organisation working to grow and inspire women in agriculture and agribusiness.
The group of 18 women selected from across regional South Australia, will spend the next eight months building their leadership skills through face-to-face professional development, individual coaching, mentoring and webinars.
Since its inception over a decade ago, the program has seen more than 170 women step into leadership roles across agriculture related industries, and their communities.
Participants represent a broad range of industries, including livestock, grains, soils, education, horticulture, animal health, dairy, sales, quality and assurance, communications, extension, and research.
They hail from regions across South Australia, including the Barossa Valley, Murraylands and Riverland, Limestone Coast, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North, Eyre Peninsula, and Adelaide Hills.
| 2026 Stepping into Leadership participants | Region |
|---|---|
| Alex Stratford | Lower Eyre Peninsula, SA |
| Allie Brinkworth | Coorong District, SA |
| Arabella Hinge | Limestone Coast, SA |
| Bianca Agenbag | Barossa Valley, SA |
| Bonnie Armour | Adelaide Hills, SA |
| Bryony Tucker | Barossa and Light, SA |
| Cathy Paterson | Upper Eyre Peninsula, SA |
| Charlotte Poker | Adelaide, SA |
| Demi Taylor | Riverland, SA |
| Ella Lindner | Murraylands, SA |
| Heidi Boyd | Limestone Coast, SA |
| Jessica Henderson | Mid North, SA |
| Krystal Oates | Adelaide, SA |
| Kylie Matthewson | Murray River, SA |
| Rachel Trengove | Clare Valley, SA |
| Sarah Novy | Limestone Coast, SA |
| Shannon Logan | Adelaide, SA |
The cohort will graduate in September 2026. The 2027 program will be open for applications in mid-September 2026.
Learn more on the Women Learning Together website.