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For Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) East Waikato Volunteer Regional Leader Tania Clark, leadership has always been grounded in connection. 

Growing up on dairy farms across Waikato and Southland and spending the past 20 years working as a rural professional, Tania has long been passionate about the dairy sector and the people within it. Volunteering with DWN wasn’t just a career move, it felt more like a natural extension of her passion. Providing an opportunity to bring women together, strengthen local communities, and contribute to an industry she is deeply proud to be part of. 

Through organising and delivering events that empower, connect and upskill farming women, Tania has been able to utilise her strengths and networks while also filling her own cup. “I’ve always loved bringing people together,” she says. “Creating spaces where women can connect, laugh, learn and simply be themselves is incredibly important to me.” 

While her impact on others is clear, Tania is the first to acknowledge how much the role has given back to her. Volunteering with DWN has pushed her well outside her comfort zone, particularly in public speaking – something that didn’t come naturally. Through leadership programmes including the Activate Leaders Programme with Global Women and the Next Level programme through Agri Women’s Development Trust, she has built confidence, self-awareness and a deeper understanding of her strengths. 

“These programmes were transformational,” she reflects. “They gave me space to pause, reconnect with my ‘why’, and better understand my values and personality. Tools like Gallup StrengthsFinder and DISC helped me show up as the best version of myself.” 

One lesson that has stayed with her is simple but powerful: feel the fear and do it anyway. Embracing discomfort, seeking feedback and backing herself in unfamiliar situations have become central to how she leads – both in her volunteer role and in her professional life as a rural banker. Over recent years, she has navigated significant change, as a working single mum with three children stepping into a new organisation and settling into a new area. The resilience, networks and self-belief gained through DWN made those transitions far less daunting. 

Among the many standout moments in her volunteer journey, one continues to fuel her purpose. At a DWN bush walk event, a woman who had almost stayed home out of nerves turned up alone. Months later, Tania learned that the connections formed that day had blossomed into regular catchups and meaningful friendship. The woman shared she hadn’t realised how isolated she had felt since moving to the area – and that single event had opened the door to belonging. 

“Stories like that are exactly why I volunteer,” Tania says. “You never know the impact one event can have.” 

She describes the DWN community in three words: supportive, inspiring, connection – a reflection of the strong network of women who uplift one another and share openly. 

Looking ahead, Tania is focused on deepening those connections across East Waikato. With fresh event ideas and new formats in the pipeline, she is excited about creating opportunities that meet the evolving needs of women in her region. 

For Tania, leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about purpose, lifting others up, and helping people become the best versions of themselves. As she continues her journey, she holds close the words of Simon Sinek: “Let us all be the leaders we wish we had.”

Enrich Article – April 2026