Celebrating ISC women and their achievements
This Tuesday 8 March, we celebrated International Women’s Day – a day which in 2022, is dedicated to raising awareness of the biases faced by women in many areas of society.
To celebrate the day, we chose to recognise some of the talented women of ISC who are challenging bias celebrate and overcoming adversity to achieve great success in their work for the Australian red meat industry.
Take a look at what some of our staff have to say about their work below.
Verity Suttor: Project Manager – Research and Development at ISC
What's your role at ISC?
I have recently moved into the new role of Project Manager – Research and Development under the Strategy and Planning area of ISC. My role focuses on looking at future technologies that can help improve traceability and lifetime animal performance tracking, as well as data automation for use in industry verification systems.
Why are you passionate about the red meat integrity system and the broader red meat industry?
Growing up on a sheep property in central west NSW, I have always had a strong connection to the red meat industry. What I enjoy most about my role is working with industry peers and stakeholders to plan and implement changes to improve efficiencies and health and welfare across industry. I am passionate about how we move industry forward by adopting new technologies, to improve individual animal performance tracking as well as data automation. By better linking existing and new datasets, producers and processors can make better informed decisions that will improve their productivity and profitability.
Your vision for the red meat industry is….
For livestock producers and other supply chain segments to collaborate, and to see the value of using integrity system technologies and data to make informed day-to-day business decisions.
Your advice for other women in the red meat industry is….
To embrace the challenges that are thrown at us and turn them into opportunities to grow and learn resilience.
Elizabeth Bradley: Manager – Quality, Policy and Compliance at ISC
What's your role at ISC?
I am the Manager for Quality, Policy and Compliance. My role is to oversee the compliance programs and auditing that underpin the LPA and NLIS. I am also responsible for industry and government engagement on policy and ensuring ISC’s integrity programs align to that policy. I am also responsible for making sure the governance frameworks that underpin ISC’s programs are continually improving.
Why are you passionate about the red meat integrity system and the broader red meat industry?
Australian producers are so passionate about what they do and that passion is contagious! Red meat is an essential source of protein for many people and it is critical to Australia’s success as an exporting nation. It is also such a diverse industry and there is so much to learn. I find the most purpose however in improving animal welfare outcomes.
Your vision for the red meat industry is….
My vision is to see innovative systems improve agricultural practices and animal welfare while simplifying compliance for the red meat supply chain. I hope to contribute to a system that streamlines compliance so it is easy for the supply chain yet effective at delivering outcomes for market access.
Your advice for other women in the red meat industry is....
We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are. You have to adapt to thrive and a career journey isn’t always a straight line but if you follow your passion you won’t fall off the path.
Jessira Perovic: Product Strategy Manager – Livestock Assurance and Feedback at ISC
What's your role at ISC?
I am the new Product Strategy Manager for Livestock Assurance and Feedback, sitting within the Strategy Team.
Why are you passionate about the red meat integrity system and the broader red meat industry?
It’s hard not to be passionate about a job that allows you to work for an industry that is tasked with not only feeding the world but also leading the charge in sustainability, feedback, technology and quality. We are an industry that constantly strives and challenges itself, which brings with it new ideas and an ever-evolving thought process, which is contagious!
Your vision for the red meat industry is….
To have the world’s best data linkage and feedback systems which enable producers everywhere to access all data on cattle they have bred, raised and/or finished. As Benjamin Franklin said, ‘without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.’
Your advice for other women in the red meat industry is....
After 10 years in the industry it’s hard not to have learnt a few lessons. People will forget what you say or do but they will never forget how you made them feel – this goes both ways!
Lucy Noble: Adoption Analyst at ISC
What's your role at ISC?
I’m an Adoption Analyst at ISC. Essentially, I work across the various ISC products and programs facilitating their adoption within the red meat industry.
Why are you passionate about the red meat integrity system and the broader red meat industry?
The red meat industry combines two things that I am incredibly passionate about. Firstly, an opportunity to address one of our biggest global challenges – food insecurity, and secondly, being able to do this while working each and every day with the people, places and animals that make up the industry. Whilst integrity systems may not always be at the forefront of the red meat agenda, the industry is only as secure and innovative as the strength of the various integrity programs.
Your vision for the red meat industry is…
To preserve the legacy and futureproof the industry by providing producers and consumers with the knowledge and assurance that they are contributing to a more food secure future.
Your advice for other women in the red meat industry is...
While I strongly believe that the red meat industry has some of the most compelling reasons to work in it, you also have to acknowledge the barriers for women that are particularly pronounced in the industry. However, I believe there is a general understanding in the industry that regardless of gender, your value has more to do with what you can bring to the table rather than anything else. I hope that one day we don’t have to give advice to women in the industry and instead we can just give advice, but until then, reach out to others in your network and don’t lose sight of why you got into the industry in the first place and where you’re going.