Having grown up on a farm, Bridgit Hawkins formed a strong sense of connection with horticulture, agriculture and food production as a whole.
As she grew older, this developed into her sense of purpose, eventually leading her to become the Chair of both Bovonic and Agritech NZ, as well as the Chief Sustainability Officer at CropX Technologies LTD.
“I knew I wanted to stay connected with farming, but not necessarily be a farmer, so I went to Massey Uni and completed an Agricultural Science degree. At that time, agriculture was called a "sunset" industry, and it was tough to get that first job,” said Hawkins.
“I diverged a little, then went overseas for a few years. When I returned to New Zealand, I decided that the primary sector was where my heart was, so I actively looked for jobs in this space.”
Since then, Hawkins has been involved in various roles, such as sector support at NZTE, science commercialisation at AgResearch, and various consulting engagements.
Founding her own business, Regen, and building that from the ground up until a successful exit has been a top career moment for Hawkins. She said it was challenging then, but looking back, she saw many achievements for herself and the team.
Regen was taken over by CropX, where Hawkins remains the CSO. She has also had several directorships at early-stage agritech companies in the last few years.
Throughout her career, Hawkins’ excitement and readiness to work have not faded. She cherished the opportunity to become a sector leader, whether within or outside the community.
“All the experience and connections I have can be put to good use by so many others, so I really enjoy working in ways that support other people's journeys.”
She admired all women in the industry who have forged careers in the male-dominated fields of agriculture and technology and learned to navigate challenges by finding opportunities within them.
“Being in the minority is hard - but the flip side is that you stand out more.”
Hawkins mentioned there was so much support for people looking to grow and contribute and suggested not being afraid to ask for help, introductions or just a friendly ear.
“Be open to opportunity and don't overthink if you are ready to take the step - just do it.”
To those entering the field, she said there was plenty of time to build a satisfying and successful career. At the same time, having a sense of direction was necessary. Every experience can help develop skills, knowledge capability and understanding of what is right for oneself.
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