11 August 2025 Future Leader programme celebrates 20 years

Lincoln University’s Future Leader Scholarship programme celebrates two decades this year, and our students made sure to commemorate the occasion — alumni included, of course.

Former Future Leaders from across the programme’s lifespan were invited back to campus for a reunion and networking evening. They caught up with old friends and met our bright, current batch of Future Leaders.

The programme is designed to cultivate leadership potential. Alongside funding, our Future Leaders undertake a leadership development programme. They play an important role in supporting campus events and running initiatives, like the reunion evening. They also undertake work in the wider community to support social and environmental sustainability activities.

Reuben Jeffery-Butler is now a Registered Valuer for Arotahi Agribusiness, but five years ago he was one of our Future Leaders. The Bachelor of Land and Property Management graduate was excited to be back and catch up with old classmates.

“Being on the programme for four years, I definitely picked up more than a few things that helped out career wise. Probably way more than I realise.

“It really taught me to make the most of my opportunities.”

He found organising many different projects during his scholarship helped prepare him for his career.

“Sooner or later you have to take on responsibilities. It happens sooner than many of us would like to, but having had that experience of running project groups really helped out.”

Once everyone had a chance to socialise and reconnect, the presentations began.

Important figures from the programme’s history were invited to the stage to discuss its foundation and ongoing success, then keynote speaker Ryan Ashton took the stage.

Ryan owns event consultancy business A Few Quiet Yarns and is an expert at networking. He reframed the concept of networking and encouraged people to try view it with curiosity and confidence, and taught the crowd some tips and tricks.

A panel made up of three prominent alumni were invited on stage for a Q&A panel. It was made up of Product Innovation & Development Manager Stephanie Trower of Original Foods Baking Co., Freshwater Science Advisor Katie Collins of the Department of Conservation, and Young Farmer of the Year third-place winner George Letham.

The trio discussed how their time in the programme had helped set them on a path to success.

George looked back on his time at Lincoln fondly and was grateful for what the programme did for him.

“The Future Leader experience is a bit of a golden ticket for life after university. I’ve had the privilege of working with two pretty big agriculture companies now. The skills we were taught, like presenting yourself well, public speaking and networking were really a way to stand out and do well.”

Katie was in the very first group of Future Leaders twenty years ago, and has achieved much since. Now two decades later some key points from her programme still stick with her.

“It’s been a really long time since I studied at uni, but for me it’s the ‘why?’ Why are you doing what you’re doing? You can’t do everything, but you can achieve what you can achieve. Just being that small piece of the puzzle is why I’m here.”

Stephanie has been with Original Food Baking Co. for almost ten years. She started on the shop floor and worked her way up to management. She encouraged current Future Leaders to make sure they don’t stop learning.

“There’s real value to understanding the practical side of things, not just being able to tell someone how to do it. It’s also important to acknowledge when you make mistakes, because that’s how you learn.”

Interested in becoming a Future Leader? You can find more information on our scholarships page.