Page 34 - AGM 2021 Booklet_Flipbook

FROM THE TEAM

Zellara Holden

Partner Relationships, Marketing and
Communications Director
I have been part of DWN for a number of years.
I am extremely passionate about the industry
and the Network, and the knowledge that
exists within our industry is something that we
can all be proud of. I am continuously learning
every day from the people that I choose to
surround myself with.

Empowering our people is our purpose
and one that I strongly believe in. Being an
organisation of impact allows us to be nimble and seize opportunities when they
come to us.

The past year – and more – has allowed us to really seize these opportunities
through technology, launching webinars as a core part of our events to enable
us to reach members in a different way. No matter what external challenges
we have faced, we have continued to build connection and transfer knowledge
to our people. We held our first Calf Rearing Expo, many panel discussions
online, welcomed new Network Partners to our family, delivered three regional
conferences, and so much more. We have a small team in the office, but each and
every person has great skill and talent that enables us to continually grow and
shape the organisation to what our members need.

I am also extremely fortunate to work closely with a great leader in our CEO,
Jules Benton. One of the key focuses for our workshops over the past year, and
something that will continue into 2022, is about people. We know that people
are at the epicentre of any business, no matter the industry or the size of the
team. Jules definitely knows how to demonstrate and reflect that in the way she
supports us and for that, I am honoured and grateful.

The past year has been different to what we all know, however I have appreciated
getting to know the people I work closely with a bit more – my contacts with
Network Partners, Regional Leaders, key industry partners, and the rest of the
DWN team. Where we would normally have had a formal sit-down meeting,
we have replaced these moments of connection with a coffee, a laugh, and off
we go to continue to do good for our industry. Over the past few months I have
invited them all into my home virtually where they might have seen my children
dancing behind me, a painting or drawing of theirs and, more than likely, the

34 Annual General Meeting 2021