What are you working on?

Lots of things! I have my own business, Flourish Communication, that provides strategic policy and communications advice to government and industry clients in agriculture. Recently, I’ve been working on a number of strategies aimed at accelerating research adoption or positioning organisations for increased impact.

I also sit on a few boards in agriculture, including chairing the Governance Committee of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Agri-Technololgy at the ANU (a partnership with CSIRO).

I’ve recently returned from living in Boston, where I engaged with local agtech startups, so am excited to be a new startup mentor for the Canberra Innovation Network and looking forward to supporting local businesses.

Why is innovation important to you?

It’s important because it’s everywhere!

I think we hold ourselves to a standard of scientific breakthrough before we declare ourselves innovators, but I bet we’ve all instigated a change that has created value. Something that we’ve made easier or more efficient? It could be a product, a process or a policy. That’s innovation to me.

It’s the result of being curious. And while Elon Musk’s curiosity about colonising Mars gets a lot of attention, there’s a spectrum of innovations that make our lives better because someone fed their curiosity.

What drives you to make a difference?

Our farmers are the best in the world, growing the best food and fibre for Australians and the world to enjoy. If you like food as much as I do, it doesn’t take much drive to support our agricultural industries.

Do you have any advice for getting more women into the innovation ecosystem?

Be yourself and back yourself. That sounds glib, but reflect on how many times you’ve had the thought “I wish someone would invent…” or “I wish there was a way to…” Sit with that thought for a moment and ask, “Why not me?”

Then connect with the Canberra Innovation Network to meet an amazing team of experts, peers and other women working on getting an idea to market. Even if you don’t end up pursuing a business idea, I guarantee the foundations in innovation you’ll pick up and the network of founders you’ll meet will add value in other areas of your life.

What are you proud of right now?

For about a year, I’ve been growing an online community for my network in agricultural industry associations who are looking to improve their professional performance and organisational impact. I’m humbled at the number of authors, business experts and industry leaders from around the world, who have agreed to speak with me to share their wisdom with my small and super niche community. It’s a work in progress, but I’m proud of myself for getting it up and running after a year of thinking about it!