Nancy Crawshaw

Building Confidence, Creating Connections: How the Zanda McDonald Award Shaped Nancy's Leadership Journey When Nancy applied for the Zanda McDonald Award, she had recently returned home to New Zealand after six years in Australia. Working as an Extension Officer with Angus Australia, she had built a strong network across the Australian beef industry. But moving home brought a new challenge. "I realised I knew far more people in Australian agriculture than I did back in New Zealand. I didn't want to become too comfortable—I wanted to be surrounded by people who would challenge me and help me keep growing." The Zanda McDonald Award provided exactly that. From the outset, Nancy found herself immersed in conversations with some of the most progressive people in agriculture on both sides of the Tasman. Yet one moment, in particular, has stayed with her. A presentation from renowned high-performance coach Gilbert Enoka came at a time when the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle were still being felt across her home region. "Gilbert took concepts that we often make incredibly complicated and broke them down into simple, practical ideas. It really resonated because our communities were dealing with enormous challenges, and his message was about how people can work through adversity together and come out stronger." Another conversation became equally defining. At the conclusion of the Australian mentoring trip, Nancy and fellow winner Tessa spoke with mentor Prue Bonfield about how disappointing it was that the experience was coming to an end. "Prue smiled and said, 'You're only just beginning. The mentoring trip is simply orientation week for everything that's ahead.'" That single conversation changed Nancy's perspective. "It created this incredible excitement about what was possible. When you have a network like the Zanda McDonald Award behind you, you genuinely feel like you're ten feet tall." Since winning the Award, Nancy says confidence has been the greatest catalyst for her career. "My confidence has increased tenfold. Once you have people backing you and encouraging you, everything accelerates—not just for you, but for the people around you as well." That confidence has translated into significant professional growth. Nancy has since been promoted to Extension Manager with Angus Australia and coordinated the World Angus Youth Competition, bringing together 48 competitors from 10 countries. Through relationships formed during the Award, she was able to connect industry leaders and create opportunities that enriched the international event. One example was a connection with Greg Pankhurst, whom she met during the Award programme. Together they helped secure the first-ever Indonesian competitors for the competition, broadening participants' understanding of Australia's important live export sector. The Award has also opened doors through speaking engagements, industry conferences and leadership opportunities that Nancy says she would never have imagined before. "The credibility starts the moment you're named as a finalist. Suddenly people across agriculture know who you are and want to connect." Winning the Award also carried special meaning close to home. "After Cyclone Gabrielle, our community had been through so much. Being able to share some positive news with everyone back home was one of the most rewarding moments." Nancy believes one of the greatest lessons from the Award has been learning to take a "helicopter view" of leadership—stepping back to understand the bigger picture while being willing to ask difficult questions and have honest conversations. "The kindness, openness and support I experienced through the Award is unlike anything I've seen elsewhere in agriculture. That's something I want to emulate by supporting others throughout my own career." Those values continue to shape how she gives back. Every youth programme Nancy now leads includes some involvement from the Zanda McDonald Award network, creating opportunities for the next generation to learn from alumni and mentors. More than 160 young agricultural leaders have already benefited from those connections. She has also strengthened lasting relationships formed during the mentoring trip, including with Chad and Lou Taylor of Mumblebone Merino. What began as a farm visit has grown into an ongoing friendship and professional collaboration that continues to influence Nancy's thinking about family farming, leadership and business. "The Award opens doors, but it's what you choose to do after those doors open that really matters." Looking back, Nancy believes the friendships and network remain the Award's greatest gift. "We've built relationships that last all year round. We can pick up the phone at any time for advice, support or simply to challenge each other's thinking." She also reflects on how much she has grown personally. "Before the Award, I wasn't comfortable sharing my own story. Through this journey I've learned that being vulnerable and sharing both the highs and the lows can have a real impact on others." For Nancy, programmes like the Zanda McDonald Award are vital because they accelerate leadership in ways that experience alone cannot. "Agriculture is built on relationships, experience and exposure. This Award brings all three together. It gives young leaders confidence, expands their networks and fast-tracks their understanding of what leadership really looks like."