Lisa Sims

Lisa is the General Manager of the Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT) and partner in her family’s farming business in the Tararua District.  Having worked for more than 30 years in multiple sectors, Lisa is now focused on empowering women to become vital partners in accelerating progress and change in New Zealand’s primary sector and rural communities.

Her career has spanned international government relations, national, regional and grass-roots business, not for profits and community service. She has served in various regional and local community governance roles where her contributions have centred on strategy, communication, stakeholder engagement and collaboration.

Lisa has set and delivered strategy from both governance and management perspectives, with specialist expertise in communication and stakeholder engagement.  Involvement in multiple sectors including agriculture, economic development, education, health, energy and local government has created strong networks across New Zealand, including with fellow AWDT Escalator Alumni members. These connections, farming knowledge and community service support Lisa’s current leadership role with AWDT.