Don Madden

Don Madden is a 2010 scholar and co-owner and director for Smithfield Cattle Company Group, a family business operating in beef cattle lot feeding, exports, logistics, property development and management. Don is a former Qld State Chair and has participated in selection interview panels. Don has been active in the feedlot industry for 25 years through the Australian Lot Feeders Association (ALFA) making notable contributions to setting the strategic vision for the industry as well as important R&D projects. He was also instrumental in the implementation of the first Trainee Manager program for the industry and mentored several young people over the years. Don has also completed the The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP) course in Texas, USA. Don fundamentally believes in Nuffield’s core value proposition of inspiring passion in people to develop their potential to lead positive change in farming and food.

Board

Nigel Corish

Chair

Nigel 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.

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, 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, 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, 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 Director

John 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 Director

Juanita 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.