Clockwise from top left: Elizabeth Bradley, Suzy Roeger, Nikola Cox, Rachel Gartshore, Jen Colditz and Rebecca Bennett.

MEAT Business Women (MBW) Australia has revealed the six finalists for the 2025 “One to Watch” award.

The initiative celebrates the achievements of young women under 35 in the meat supply chain, supporting their career progression and highlighting their potential as future industry leaders.

This year’s finalists are:

• Elizabeth Bradley, Manager – Quality, Policy and Compliance, Integrity Systems
Company
• Jen Colditz, Outback Beef Pilbara Representative, Outback Beef
• Nickola Cox, Automation Team Leader, Hilton Foods
• Rachel Gartshore, Production Planner & Analyst, Kilcoy Global Foods – Ruprecht
• Rebbecca Bennett, Adoption Specialist, NRG-ONE
• Suzanna Roeger, Training Manager, FS Alliance

The finalists were selected by an independent panel of three industry experts, ensuring a thorough and fair assessment process.

The winner will receive a A$5000 prize courtesy of Marel, to invest in their personal and professional development.

MBW’s Australian Chair, Stacey McKenna said the One to Watch Award emphasised the importance of supporting women’s career growth and celebrating their
accomplishments.

April Warman, Regional Managing Director – Asia Pacific at Marel, praised the exceptional calibre of applicants and the award’s purpose to empower women in the early stages of their careers and provide opportunities to grow, lead, and create a lasting impact.

The award aligns with MBW’s ongoing commitment to addressing the “broken career ladder” identified in its 2023 Gender Representation Report. The report revealed that men occupy 73 percent of first-line management roles compared to just 27 percent held by women, with barriers such as limited working-hours flexibility and workplace culture impeding women’s progression.

“Investing in women at this stage of their careers is crucial to building a more gender diverse and resilient industry,” Stacey McKenna added.

“This prize offers the winner opportunities to broaden their knowledge, enhance their skills, and take meaningful steps toward leadership roles.”

The winner of the 2025 One to Watch Award will be announced at the National Conference on 5 March 2025.