Dairy consultant and Rural Business Network Southland chairwoman Jolene Germann is among three finalists in the sixth annual Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
The award will be presented during the annual Dairy Women's Network conference in Queenstown on May 11 and 12.
Ms Germann is a relative newcomer to the dairy industry, milking her first cow seven years ago. She and her husband own a 570-cow dairy farm in an equity partnership at Aparima, Southland.
She has a PhD from the University of Waikato, which she did in conjunction with AgResearch Ruakura, investigating the biochemistry of the clover root weevil.
She has held a variety of leadership positions with New Zealand Young Farmers and recently completed the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.
Ms Germann was surprised but ''incredibly humbled'' to be nominated for the award, saying she was constantly impressed with the opportunities and passion so widespread within the dairy industry.
The winner will receive a scholarship prize of up to $20,000 to undertake a professional/business development programme.
The other finalists are Claire Nicholson, from Bay of Plenty, who is a director of Paraninihi Ki Waitotara and chief executive of Sirona Animal Health, and Jessie Chan-Dorman, of Canterbury, who is a Fonterra Shareholders councillor and a director of the Ashburton Trading Society.
Dairy Women's Network chief executive Zelda de Villiers said a common theme among the finalists was the extent to which they contributed to the business of dairy in New Zealand.
''We have three outstanding finalists who are making big decisions and contributions that affect the future of dairy in this country.
''They are all recognised as leaders in their networks and communities, are highly influential at a national level and have a real commitment to progressing our dairy industry internationally,'' she said.
Katrina Thomas is a finalist in the Dairy Community Leadership Award, which recognises the unsung heroes of rural communities.
She worked in the tourism industry for more than 20 years before returning to her farming roots in Southland.
She became Dairy Womens' Network regional convener for Invercargill in 2012 and, last year, took on a new role as the southern regional hub leader.
She is involved with several community groups, including Takitimu School PTA, Western Southland Tennis, Takitimu District Board Pool and is editor of the Takitimu community newsletter.
