Profile

Rowan has diverse experience spanning 30 years of research, business development and governance in government, higher education, not-for-profits, agribusiness and business.

She is an experienced company director with qualifications in agriculture, regional economic development, governance and finance. Her knowledge of small and large businesses across a wide range of sectors has inspired her commitment to governance and management practices that promote profitability and performance.

Rowan is active in the environment movement and Landcare, being a founding member of Australian Women in Agriculture, Wangaratta Sustainability Network and the North East Regional Sustainability Alliance.

Rowan is also a founding member of Voices for Indi, a group established to reengage the public with the political process. V4I is not a political party, instead it's a platform enabling open political dialogue and the building of democratic capital through community engagement across our region and Australia.

Rowan also has an international perspective having participated in international conferences for women in agriculture in Melbourne, Washington and Madrid and study tours and presentations in Ireland, Northern Ireland, United States, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, China and Germany.

Why the Rowan Tree?

In Gaelic culture, Sorbus aucuparia, the rowan, is a sacred tree, possessing the powers of strength, success, protection, healing and foresight. The rowan is said to be apotropaic, meaning ‘able to ward off evil' and to enable mastery of the logical mind as it combines with intuitive energy.