The Nuffield Australia board comprises a dynamic group of leaders committed to advancing agricultural innovation and leadership across the country. With diverse expertise spanning farming, agribusiness, and rural development, our board members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide the organization’s mission. They are dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where scholars can thrive, championing initiatives that drive sustainability, productivity, and global competitiveness in Australian agriculture.
Nigel Corish
ChairNigel Corish
Chair
Nigel Corish, a 2014 Nuffield Scholar from Goondiwindi, QLD, joined the Nuffield Board in 2023. As MD of New Leaf Ag, he farms 4,500ha of cotton, grains, and pulses. A graduate of AICD, he is Vice Chair of Grain Growers Ltd, a director of Cotton Seed Distributors, and Chair of Ability Agriculture.
Don Madden
Don Madden
Don Madden, a 2010 Nuffield Scholar, is co-owner and director of Smithfield Cattle Company, overseeing lot feeding, exports, logistics, and property management. A former QLD State Chair, he has shaped industry strategy through ALFA and pioneered the feedlot sector’s first Trainee Manager program.
Ashley Fraser
Ashley Fraser
Ashley is a 2012 Scholar from Rutherglen in North-East Victoria, where he runs a Seed and Grain Equipment business importing and exporting machinery to the seed and grain industries. Ashley has had 30 years’ experience in the broadacre seed industry as managing director of the families seed business Baker Seed Co up until February 2026.
Guy Hebblewhite
Guy Hebblewhite
Guy Hebblewhite, a 2013 Nuffield Scholar, joined the Nuffield Australia Board in 2024. He previously chaired Nuffield NSW and helped deliver the 2022 Tamworth National Conference. Formerly in chicken meat and Wagyu production, he is now developing an agri-marketplace and has held leadership roles in AgriFutures and ACGC.
Kara Knudsen
Kara Knudsen
Kara Knudsen, a 2013 Nuffield Scholar from Mundubbera, QLD, runs a beef enterprise and is passionate about Australian agriculture. She has held key Nuffield volunteer roles in sponsorship, strategy, and events. Kara has shaped the beef industry through policy work, industry reviews, and leadership programs like AICD and WCF Agribusiness.
Johanna Tomlinson
Johanna Tomlinson
Johanna Tomlinson, a 2019 Nuffield Scholar from WA’s South Coast, joined the Nuffield Board in 2024. She runs a beef enterprise with her husband and has held leadership roles in NRM, biosphere initiatives, and regional investment. A graduate of AICD and Rabobank EDP, she is dedicated to strengthening regional communities.
John Woods
Independent DirectorJohn Woods
Independent Director
John is a grain grower based near Goondiwindi on the Queensland–New South Wales border, with extensive experience in broadacre cropping and agribusiness. He currently serves as Chairman of Lawson Grains, one of Australia’s leading corporate grain producers, and brings a strong focus on operational performance, governance and long-term sustainability.
Juanita Hamparsum
Independent DirectorJuanita Hamparsum
Independent Director
Juanita is an experienced Non-Executive director with a background in accounting, finance, business strategy and governance, bringing more than three decades of experience across agriculture, corporate Australia and the not-for-profit sector.
