The World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) is pleased to welcome a new Vice President and a new member to its esteemed Board of Directors.  

Ms Mary Robinson, who has been representing the North American Constituency since 2020, has been elected as the new WFO Vice President, while Ms Fiona Simson is joining the WFO Board of Directors as the new representative for the Oceanian Constituency. 

Ms Robinson is a managing partner of her 6th-generation family farm and agri-businesses in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Her exceptional leadership in organized agriculture has earned her global recognition, making her impact extend beyond her farm. From 2019 to 2023, she served as the first female President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.  

Ms Simson is a farmer from the Liverpool Plains in New South Wales, Australia. She is a well-respected and influential voice in the Australian agricultural sector, advocating for the interests of farmers and rural communities at national and international levels. Since 2016, she has been serving as the President of the National Farmers’ Federation. 

The Board of Directors also comprises Ms Kati Partanen, who serves as the treasurer of the Organisation and has represented the European Constituency since 2022; Ms Elizabeth Nsimadala, elected as the representative for the African Constituency in 2022; and Mr Sok Sotha, who has been proudly representing the Asian Constituency since 2019. 

“As President of the World Farmers’ Organisation, I am delighted to welcome these exceptional women farmers’ leaders to our Board of Directors. Their unique skills, knowledge, and expertise will undoubtedly benefit the global farming community by enhancing WFO’s action,” WFO President Arnold Puech d’Alissac commented. “I also want to express my gratitude to Katie Milne, the previous representative of the Oceanian Constituency and former WFO Vice President, for her invaluable contribution to the global organised agriculture, wishing her the best of luck for the future.” 

With such a powerful and visionary group of farmer leaders, the WFO Board of Directors is ready to steer the Organisation towards a promising and exciting new era. Their combined expertise and direction will play a significant role for WFO in navigating future changes and identifying new growth opportunities, positioning WFO as the Biggest Independent Global Farmers’ Voice.