Natalie Collard | CEO
Farmers for Climate Action

Natalie Collard is a senior executive, leadership coach and highly regarded advocate for regional Australia, innovation in agriculture, renewable energy and women’s leadership.

Natalie is the CEO of Farmers for Climate Action, and has a strong agricultural representation background, including CEO of Australian Dairy Farmers Ltd, Food & Fibre – Great South Coast, leading Rural Affairs for the National Farmers Federation (Australia).

In July 2018, Natalie was awarded Woman in Renewables of the Year by the International Global Solar + Energy Storage Organising Committee for her work as Chair of Women in Renewables (Australia) and EGM Industry Development at the Clean Energy Council.

In 2013, Natalie was awarded Telstra Business Woman of the Year - Victoria (Community and Government) and was a national finalist in the NAB Women’s Agenda Emerging Leader Award. This recognition came as a result of the business and industry transformation she led as CEO of Australian Dairy Farmers Ltd.

Natalie also has significant experience working in government and defence strategy. In 2011, she managed an emergency post-September ‘11 arms control meeting of 32 countries in Paris and spoke on biological weapons at the United Nations in Geneva. Natalie has managed $1.2bn in corporate contracts and, as the Defence Department’s lead negotiator on security treaties, negotiated seven bilateral agreements including Australia’s first treaty with NATO.

Natalie’s board experience includes the Australian Government’s Council of Australian Latin American Relations (COALAR), Landcare Australia Ltd, Agsafe Ltd and the Victorian Government Agriculture Energy Investment Plan (AEIP) Independent Advisory Council. Natalie has been a Business Mentor for APEC Women’s programs and a Board Advisor to Women in Renewables Asia.

Natalie is the founder and CEO of Quartz Group, where she applies human-centred philosophy and executive coaching strategy to help her clients operate at their maximum potential. In August 2021, Natalie was featured by Industry Era magazine as one of the 10 most successful CEOs of 2021 for her work with Quartz Group and the dynamic range of executive experiences that led her to its inception.