At just 25 years of age, Victoria Alexander is a Director at Nugenes, a cattle reproduction company. After being promoted into the management role, Victoria has recently expanded her leadership knowledge by participating in the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program.

“I’ve moved into a management role within the business, so I wanted to gain more experience. The NHIA has a young achiever award which I was nominated for, but didn’t win.”

“However, they put my name forward to be sponsored by Gardiner Foundation for the Marcus Oldham program and after going through the application process, I got in,” Victoria said.

The program, which ran mid-August, is renowned for fostering leadership skills among rural and agricultural professionals across Australia. Victoria was eager to gain more experience and confidence in her leadership abilities.

“I wanted to get more experience in managing the business and motivating people to follow the goals I set. It’s important to encourage and influence the team to do things the right way,” she explained.

Her journey with NuGenes began in her teenage years, inspired by her involvement in the Cows Create Careers program at Finley High College. After reaching out to several businesses for schoolwork experience, Victoria was offered a position at NuGenes under the condition that she completed school and obtained her driver’s license.

Starting at just 17 years old, Victoria quickly became skilled in various aspects of herd improvement, from artificial insemination (AI) to reproductive health management. Her dedication led her to further training in the USA, solidifying her expertise in the industry.

Despite her accomplishments, Victoria was initially hesitant about participating in the Marcus Oldham program. “I’m not really the type to go out and do something like this,” she admitted. However, the experience proved to be transformative. “It was an awesome week. The structure was solid, and the whole experience was so great. I would definitely recommend it to others.”

The program brought together 37 participants, creating an environment where Victoria could break down barriers and build confidence in her leadership skills.

“At the start of the week, we had a team agreement to disconnect from our phones, which was challenging for me. But it gave me the space to focus fully on the program,” she shared.

Victoria’s time at Marcus Oldham has equipped her with new strategies for managing her team, emphasising the importance of work-life balance and understanding the perspectives of her colleagues. As she continues her role at NuGenes, Victoria plans to purchase more shares in the company and deepen her involvement in the industry.

Her participation in the Program marks another significant step in her career. Victoria’s story is a testament to the opportunities available for young achievers in the agricultural sector, and she looks forward to applying the skills she has gained to make a lasting impact in the industry.

To learn more about the Marcus Oldham Leadership Program, visit: https://www.gardinerfoundation.com.au/marcus-oldham/