Ms Hawkins, along with nine other passionate agricultural leaders have been selected for the AgriFuturesTM Ignite Advisory Panel.

Ms Hawkins is the Head of Agribusiness for the Bank of Queensland and hails from a beef cattle farm.

Her deep understanding of the challenges agricultural producers face, as well as her involvement in rural communities stood out to the selection panel.

“I understand the importance of strong networks and the ability to leverage those relationships for the betterment of industry and communities,” she said.

“I am looking forward to connecting with like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a love of agriculture and I’m excited to contribute to the Ignite Advisory Panel.”

The Panel is an exciting opportunity for members to draw on their experience and networks to provide meaningful and relevant advice to AgriFutures Australia.

AgriFutures Australia managing director John Harvey said the Ignite Advisory Panel members represent a diverse range of rural industries and have specific skills and knowledge in a variety of areas including commercialisation, start-ups, stakeholder engagement, technology and innovation.

“We have a member who works to support technology adoption of robotic milking systems on Australian dairy farms, a precision scientist and a member who developed a native food export roadmap for key government organisations,” he said.

“Ms Hawkins will certainly be a valuable Ignite Advisory Panel member with her strong background in agribusiness stakeholder engagement as well as her passion to empower and educate the next generation entering the agricultural sector.

Mr Harvey said the Ignite Advisory Panel will provide invaluable insights, ideas and perspectives to ensure the critical issues and opportunities within the emerging and levied industries, and more broadly across agriculture in Australia are being tackled.

Ignite Advisory Panel members will work with AgriFutures Australia for an 18-month term.

Members will unite for their first meeting on May, 17, at the AgriFutures Australia headquarters in Wagga Wagga.

AgriFutures Australia, Manager, Research and Innovation, Jennifer Medway said one of the first items on the agenda will be to gather the member’s ideas and thoughts on Australia’s biggest national rural issues.

“The Panel members are tuned into trends, responsive to change and work in a range of rural industries across the agriculture sector. It will be a great privilege to bring these minds into the one room and really understand how to best promote collaboration on cross-sectoral issues,” said Ms Medway.

Ignite Advisory Panel members form part of the new AgriFuturesTM Ignite Network which aims to connect rural leaders with an interest in shaping the future of Australian rural industries and to encourage the changes they want to see across the agricultural sector.