LYNDA COPPERSMITH
(NZ YOUNG FARMERS)
A Christchurch-based senior account manager with a passion
for primary industries has been appointed chief executive of NZ
Young Farmers. Coppersmith, who previously worked for software
company MYOB, is the organisation’s first female head. “The
more CEOs we have who are women the better,” Coppersmith
says. “Diversity is extremely important. If the primary industries are
to meet their growth targets, we need to do everything we can
to connect with young women.” Prior to MYOB, she worked for
DairyNZ, was a business development manager for the Livestock
Improvement Corporation (LIC) and an area manager for Fonterra
in Timaru. NZ Young Farmers has a network of almost 80 clubs,
runs the iconic FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest and works
in schools to get students excited about career opportunities in the
Dairying is in Crewther’s primary industries. www.youngfarmers.co.nz
blood. Her parents were dairy
farmers north of Wellington and
the Manawatu, she studied
agriculture at Massey University
and decided during a lecture
by Alan Rae about the Uruguay
Round of trade talks that she
wanted to work in trade policy.
Now executive director of the
JEMMA McCOWEN
Dairy Companies Association
(NZ KING SALMON)
of New Zealand, Crewther
has worked for Meat New
Zealand and Fonterra - leading
the latter’s relationship with
European governments and
industry. While husband Kane
professionally coached rugby in
Chile, she worked autonomously
as Fonterra’s manager for
sustainable dairy strategy.
www.dcanz.com
A marketing and business development professional with 20
years’ experience in marketing management and consulting
on international business strategy, market entry, partnerships,
branding and differentiation, McCowen is general manager
marketing with NZ King Salmon. The University of Auckland
graduate boasts a background across the food and consumer
goods industries, but now primarily works in the seafood sector,
particularly championing sustainable seafood products, and
has a strong knowledge of the aquaculture sector. She is also
director of Nelson Cricket. www.kingsalmon.co.nz
COLIN CHUNG (KANA VINAKA)
Shocked by the poor menus offered by
most hospitality operations throughout
the Pacific and aware that 80% of
the food is imported to feed tourists and
locals alike, chef Colin Chung launched
contemporary island cuisine publication
Kana Vinaka, a not-for-profit initiative that
hopes to provide lasting development for
the tourism and hospitality industry in Fiji.
Born in Hawaii, Chung worked his way
around the world and settled in Raglan,
where he started the infamous Vinnies.
Kana Vinaka will change the way locals eat
in their own countries as well, Chung says
– healthy and sustainable, while lowering
dependence on imports and promoting the
growth and vibrancy of the economy. He
has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with the Ministry of Agriculture to create
awareness of Fiji’s bountiful produce and
how it can be used in contemporary food.
www.colinskitchen.co.nz
KIMBERLEY
CREWTHER
(DAIRY COMPANIES
ASSOCIATION OF NZ)
44 ANNUAL DIRECTORY 2019
/www.youngfarmers.co.nz
/www.dcanz.com
/www.kingsalmon.co.nz
/www.colinskitchen.co.nz
