Our inaugural Associate Director, Jolene Germann reflects on her time on FMG’s Board. Southland farm consultant and dairy farmer, Jolene Germann says getting to join FMG’s Board gave her a real insight into what the governance of a largescale cooperative is like.
Having done a lot of governance training, and having some smaller governance roles, Jolene struggled to find the confidence to apply for more significant roles.
“It is a chicken and egg situation, you don’t apply for larger boards because you don’t have the required experience, but then you don’t get that experience because you don’t apply,” says Jolene.
The FMG Associate Director role provided an opportunity to experience what it is like being a director in every way, apart from having voting rights. “I completed director induction, was a part of the subcommittees, received the Board papers and took part in all Board meetings. I now have the skills and connections to be able to effectively contribute to the governance of large scale, commercial organisations.”
During Jolene’s term with FMG, New Zealand experienced the Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary Weekend Floods the biggest claims event in the Mutual’s history.
“Not only did I gain governance experience in this role, but I received a new appreciation for the insurance industry, and the diversity of roles involved. As a farmer, we deal with a lot of regulation, but the insurance industry is even more regulated. It was awesome also learning more about FMG and what makes it such a unique organisation.”
Jolene, who has a PhD in chemistry and has previously completed the Kellogg’s Rural Leadership program, is keen to continue her governance career as a direct result of her time as FMG’s Associate Director and is planning to stand for the Ravensdown board.
