Shannon Speight

From Research to Revolution: How the Zanda McDonald Award Helped Shape Shannon's Journey. 

When Shannon Speight received the Zanda McDonald Award in 2019, she was helping lead one of Australia's largest livestock genomics research programmes. Working as coordinator of the Northern Genomics Project at the University of Queensland, she was immersed in cutting-edge science, but increasingly saw the challenge of turning research into practical tools that producers could use. "I wanted genomics to make a real difference on-farm, not just remain in research papers," Shannon says. 

The Zanda McDonald Award became the catalyst that transformed her thinking. Travelling through New Zealand and Australia alongside fellow finalists, Shannon visited some of the most progressive farming businesses and agricultural leaders in the industry. Experiences with businesses such as Lambpro and Te Mania, along with generous conversations with farming families including the Wyeths and the Subtils, left a lasting impression. 

What stood out wasn't just the genetics or technology—it was how leading businesses connected every part of the supply chain. "The biggest lesson was seeing how data, genetics, production and market feedback all worked together. The value wasn't simply in collecting data; it was in connecting it across the supply chain to create better outcomes." That insight became the foundation for what came next. 

Today Shannon is the co-founder of Black Box Co, a livestock technology company that helps connect and unlock supply chain data to improve production, profitability and forecasting across the industry. She is also involved in Base Pair Genomics, commercialising genomic capability for the beef sector. 

Looking back, Shannon believes the Award fundamentally changed the direction of her career. "I genuinely believe Black Box Co wouldn't exist without the Award. It gave me the network, the confidence and the commercial clarity to back an idea that became a business." 

Beyond the knowledge gained, Shannon says the relationships built during the programme continue to shape her career. "The people I met have become trusted sounding boards, collaborators and lifelong connections. That kind of network is incredibly valuable." 

She also credits the Award with providing industry credibility at a pivotal time. "As a young founder, the Award opened doors. It showed people that I had been recognised by the industry and exposed to leading businesses across Australia and New Zealand. In an industry built on trust, that mattered." 

The experience also shaped the kind of leader Shannon strives to be today. "The generosity I experienced throughout the program had a huge impact on me. Successful people took the time to openly share their businesses, their thinking and their lessons. That's the example I try to follow—sharing knowledge, supporting others and helping strengthen the industry as a whole." Now building technology that is changing how information flows through livestock supply chains, Shannon sees herself not just as a researcher, but as someone helping shape agriculture's future. 

For Shannon, the greatest legacy of the Zanda McDonald Award is simple. "The network gave me opportunities. The confidence gave me the courage to take them. Together, they completely changed the trajectory of my career."