Kara Knudsen

Kara, a 2013 Scholar from Mundubbera, Queensland, runs a beef enterprise and is passionate about the future of agriculture in Australia. In 2013, she studied accelerating genetic progression in the Northern Australian beef herd. Since then, Kara has been actively involved with Nuffield, holding various volunteer roles in sponsorship, conference organisation, strategic planning, and serving on multiple committees.

Kara has significantly contributed to shaping the beef industry, including her role in the 2019 taskforce reviewing the Red Meat Industry MOU. She has also completed the Worshipful Company of Farmers (WCF) Advanced Agribusiness course and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course.

In addition to her professional achievements, Kara is deeply involved in community events and is passionate about highlighting rural Australia. She is committed to helping Nuffield achieve its strategic goals and continuing to drive innovation and change in Australian agriculture.

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.

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 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.

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.