Woman of the Year Finalist Spotlight: Dianne Davies
For Dianne Davies, great workplaces are built on one simple principle: every person deserves to be seen, respected and valued.
As a finalist in the 2026 Meat Business Women Australia Woman of the Year Award, proudly supported by BOTT Insurance Group, Dianne has spent more than 20 years helping shape the culture of D'Orsogna, championing inclusion, supporting diverse teams and creating opportunities for people to grow.
Throughout her career, she has remained committed to ensuring business success is measured not only by commercial outcomes, but by the people who make those outcomes possible.
Her leadership has been driven by a belief that strong businesses are built through respect, collaboration and investing in people.
Creating opportunities for others
When reflecting on her career, Dianne is most proud of the role she has played in helping grow a family-owned business while preserving the values that make it unique.
She is particularly proud of helping create a workplace that embraces diversity, supports career development and opens doors for others.
"I am most proud of contributing to the growth of a family-owned smallgoods business while helping preserve the values that make it unique."
Her contribution has included supporting the company's expansion, increasing women's participation to more than 40 per cent and advocating for people of all genders to pursue leadership opportunities.
Leading with respect
For Dianne, leadership has always been grounded in one simple principle.
"Treat everyone with respect and value every person's contribution."
She believes every role contributes to an organisation's success, regardless of title, department or background. Growing up with both parents working on the factory floor has kept her grounded and shaped the way she approaches leadership today.
Guiding people through change
Supporting a growing business while maintaining the culture of a family-owned organisation has been one of Dianne's greatest leadership challenges.
As the business expanded, she focused on helping people navigate change while remaining connected to the organisation's values.
Her experience has reinforced the importance of communication, collaboration and ensuring people understand not only what is changing, but why it matters and how they will be supported.
Looking ahead
Dianne believes her greatest future impact lies in continuing to strengthen both people and performance.
She hopes to support greater opportunities for women, culturally diverse teams and future leaders, while expanding mentoring and helping people build the resilience and confidence to thrive in an evolving workplace.
Recognition through the Woman of the Year Award would be meaningful not only for Dianne, but also for the people who have supported her throughout her career.
"Recognition through this award would be meaningful because it would acknowledge leadership based on humility, inclusion and respect."
She also sees the award as recognition of the organisation that has supported her professional growth and embraced diversity and flexible work long before they became common practice.
Celebrate with us in Melbourne
Dianne is one of five outstanding finalists in the 2026 Meat Business Women Australia Woman of the Year Award. You can catch up on our 'Spotlight Series' here.
The winner will be announced at the MBW Australia Gender Representation Report Insights & Awards Evening on Tuesday, 28 July, at the RACV Club, Melbourne.
Join industry leaders from across the meat and food supply chain for an evening of networking, thought-provoking insights from the 2026 Gender Representation Report and the celebration of women helping shape the future of our industry.
Tickets are on sale now.
Woman of the Year Award Proudly supported by Bott Insurance Group
Insurance should do more than just tick a compliance box. It should protect the people who keep a business moving, owners making tough calls, teams showing up every day, and customers who rely on you. That’s why BOTT Insurance Group exists: to deliver insurance with purpose, grounded in genuine relationships and practical outcomes.
Backed by more than 30 years of broking experience and the strength of long-standing insurer partnerships, BOTT’s focus has never been one-size-fits-all products. The team takes the time to understand each client’s operations, risk appetite, and what a good outcome looks like - then works through the detail to deliver a solution that fits.
BOTT’s principles are simple:
- People are at the centre of the business
- Whatever it takes
- Together we’re better
- A desire to understand and deliver
That means a hands-on team that works closely with clients from advice and placement through to claims management, because support matters most when something goes wrong. With offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Cairns and Sydney, and the ability to service clients nationwide, BOTT supports organisations ranging from small businesses to large private and ASX-listed companies. Across commercial and corporate risks, financial lines, people risk and employee benefits, risk consulting and more, BOTT’s goal is to make insurance feel clearer, more human, and more useful.
As sponsor of the MBW Woman of the Year Award, BOTT Insurance Group is proud to support an initiative that recognises leadership, values people and highlights the impact individuals can have across business and industry.
