Congratulations to Grace McLeay, who has been awarded a grant from the Yvonne A. M. Smith Charitable Trust. This financial support will enable Grace to complete her Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), a crucial step in her ambitious career journey.

Grace holds an impressive array of qualifications from Lincoln University, including a Diploma in Agriculture, a Diploma in Farm Management, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture. Her dedication to the primary industry is further demonstrated through her volunteer work with Meat the Need, the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management, and New Zealand Young Farmers.

Growing up on a sheep and beef farm instilled in Grace a deep love for the primary industry. Her extensive experience in corporate farming, both operationally and through rural servicing, has made her a highly motivated, process-driven, and results-oriented individual. After 13 years of building her career in the South Island, Grace recently returned to her roots in Rangitikei, where she is preparing to take over her family farm as a fourth-generation farmer in June 2024.

Grace’s career aspirations are focused on becoming an excellent owner/operator, director, and senior manager. Her goals include creating a 12-month succession plan for their farming business, becoming a director with an organization that aligns with her values, mentoring peers and the next generation, and advising government and New Zealand businesses on global opportunities. An EMBA will provide Grace with the strategic, critical thinking, and analytical skills necessary to excel in business and achieve these goals.

We commend Grace for her dedication and look forward to seeing her continued success and contributions to the primary industry.