How did you first become involved with BioGro?

When BioGro New Zealand Ltd. was looking for a new CEO in September of 2014, they found me through LinkedIn. I have 20 years in the organic certification sector mainly based in Japan but doing work all over the world in my role as managing director of Quality Assurance International Japan Ltd. and Ecocert Japan Ltd. Some of their licensee members and councillors had met me while they had been attending trade shows in Japan and these connections are what helped me find this role.

Although I had visited New Zealand as an organic auditor for Ecocert SA, I didn’t have much connection with New Zealand. Being in the organic certification sector and knowing about the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, which BioGro is a longstanding accredited member, I knew about BioGro. Also, BioGro New Zealand is one of the oldest certifiers in the world and certified Zespri. Since we eat a lot of kiwifruit, I knew about BioGro from the packaging being on our kitchen table. We also certified the repacker for Zespri’s fruit in Japan. When the opportunity to work for BioGro happened, we were thrilled. I still can’t believe how fortunate I am to be working in New Zealand in an organization like BioGro.

Can you share how the organisation came about and the benefits it presents to its members, and the wider public health workforce?

BioGro New Zealand Society is a membership organization that is the shareholder of BioGro New Zealand Ltd. the certifier. We work together to ensure a sustainable future for producers and consumers. Over 33 years ago the Soil and Health Association of New Zealand, the Henry Doubleday Research Foundation and the Biodynamic Association established the BioGro Society to create standards for organic production for New Zealand. BioGro was run from the Soil & Health offices for 10 years. Later the BioGro Society in May 1995 established the subsidiary BioGro New Zealand Ltd. to be a professional certification body.

The BioGro Society has certified licensee members and associate members who are not BioGro New Zealand Ltd. certified customers. Because we are a non-profit registered charity, we provide services to all our customers at reasonable cost. Members have a say in the role of the Society in promoting organics and sustainability. They also may have direct input into the standards and the technical committees. I think the real benefit to members is a feeling of supporting an organization committed to organics and sustainability like the producers and consumers are dedicated to supporting. Being members of organizations that share our values is what membership is all about.

What exciting projects are underway at BioGro?

BioGro is actually entering into a new era. At our AGM on 16 July 2016 the members unanimously voted to merge the Society with the Soil and Health Association. So we have come full circle. From 1 October the merged organization will be called the Soil and Heath Association and BioGro Society licensee members and associate members will become Soil and Health Association members.

BioGro New Zealand Ltd. will be owned by the Soil and Health Association as will the BioGro standards and trademark. This new era will mean that the assets will be combined and the mission of the BioGro Society to create standards and establish a certification body have largely been achieved, however it still remains to create a national standard and national regulation.

There is still a lot of work to do to make the agricultural sector more sustainable. We aim to be a big part of making this happen.

What would you say to someone starting out in the not-for-profit sector with a view to become a future leader?

Get your hands dirty. It is too easy just to sign up and not get involved. There are so many roles that need people who are passionate about the mission. If you find an organization that resonates with your values, get involved. Show up to the meetings and speak up about what you believe in. Perhaps this is the “American” way that I have used in many organizations, however I think people who consistently show up and speak up are the ones who can shape organisations for the better.

At BioGro we constantly need people to help us with our mission. Anywhere from board members to communications experts to people who can help us with fundraising. I think all not-for-profit organizations are challenged to deliver value to members without large overheads. This can translate into real challenges for attracting and keeping qualified people. If you want to be a leader in this sector, look to those already doing well and get involved with them.

I have found AuSAE membership to be a great way to meet leaders who have not only time to share but who have immense value to share as well for developing leaders.