Page 12 - DWN Regional Leader Handbook_November 2025

About Us About Us

1 A BIT MORE ABOUT 1
Alison Ferris Alison Ferris
Connection and Development Director Interim Northland Hub Leader
alison.ferris@dwn.org.nz alison.ferris@dwn.org.nz

The Regional Leader Relationship Originally from the UK, Alison has been in New
and Development Director builds the Zealand for 15 years and officially became a New
understanding of DWN culture with Zealand citizen in 2019. She lives near Te Kuiti
Regional Leaders and strengthens connections with an array of animals and her family, who she
enjoys exploring the beautiful King Country with.
across all aspects of the DWN network. When she has some quiet time she loves crafting, and has recently
completed her first adventure race.
ENGAGE WITH ALISON ABOUT:
• Making connections with DWN
• Sharing the value and vision of and building it into the culture at Rachel Usmar
DWN Waikato Hub Leader
• The Hub Leader role
• The DWN Conference rachel.usmar@dwn.org.nz

Hi, I’m Rachel.
My husband and I have a calf rearing operation
Shelli Mears near Lake Karapiro where we raise autumn and
Regional Leader Support Manager spring calves. I love seeing young animals do well growing and
meeting targets. Another strong interest of mine is mating, and I
michelle.mears@dwn.org.nz have been an AB tech for 6 years and absolutely love it.

The Regional Leader Support Manager
has oversight of policies
and procedures pertaining to Regional Leaders’
capability in their role, covering recruitment, Rebecca O’Brien
induction, training and including oversight of budgets for the same. Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau Hub
Shelli also represents DWN at industry technical meetings. Leader
rebecca.obrien@dwn.org.nz
ENGAGE WITH TO SHELLI ABOUT: Hey I’m Becks and with my husband and three
• “How to” questions for your Regional Leader role children we 50/50 Share-milk 900 cows on
• Essentials Workshops and Leadership Forum organisational two farms in Galatea. I love being involved in
questions my business and key roles are accounts, health
• Regional Event processes and safety and people and culture. I also work part time at our local
school in a support role. People and relationships are my passion and
• Funding for regional events I hope to be a positive contribution to the DWN along with learning
and growing along the way.