Growing a great future in dairy: How Sophie is shaping policies and ensuring sustainable farming futures

Sophie MacAskill is passionate about providing future populations access to nutritious, sustainable food. As Policy Lead - Environmental Sustainability at Dairy Australia, Sophie works across industry to improve outcomes for all involved in the dairy process. Discover Sophie’s journey and why she believes the best work happens when you're genuinely invested in the people and outcomes around you.  

Grassroots connections  

As part of her role with Dairy Australia, Sophie MacAskill often finds herself in regional towns across Victoria — from the river country around Echuca to the lush landscapes of Gippsland. The scenery, pace and close-knit communities don't just look familiar, they remind her of her upbringing in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

“I grew up in the outer suburbs of Wellington, but my grandfather grew up on a farm. I’ve got a cousin who married someone on a farm. In New Zealand, farming isn’t far from anyone’s story – it's something I’ve always felt connected to, even if indirectly.”

That early connection helped spark Sophie’s interest in how farming shapes people, landscapes and economies. As Policy Lead - Environmental Sustainability at Dairy Australia, she reviews legislation put forward by state and federal governments to understand the impact proposed policies would have on Australian dairy farmers.

Day to day, this might look like talking to stakeholders, researching and reading documents, or Sophie’s favourite, getting out on the land to meet with farmers. 

“Meeting people is the best part of the job. And Dairy Australia is so good at giving us opportunities to go out on farms. It’s hugely valuable to see the cool stuff they’re doing and how we can showcase and support that through the policy we’re developing.” 

Where contributions matter 

Sophie's path to agricultural policy wasn't a straight line. Her early career aspirations were more focused on the sea than the land, as she initially studied oceanography and mathematics at university. She then accepted a role with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries to look at forestry carbon capture. It was through this work that she first connected with Dairy New Zealand. 

“One of my industry contacts worked at DairyNZ, and they were looking for someone who could help with mathematically modelling methane emission reduction curves. 25% of the country’s emissions come just from dairy; that’s what made me want to be a part of the industry. It’s such a critical part of the economy, and it’s really important for future populations to be able to eat nutritious food, sustainably.” 

This role opened Sophie’s eyes to the scale of impact possible within the dairy industry. She left DairyNZ for a consulting opportunity, but found herself craving the connection to meaningful, long-term change. When she spotted a role at Dairy Australia, she didn't hesitate to apply.

“It's rare to work in an organisation where everyone is so aligned to the same north star, but that’s been my experience of Dairy Australia. You can feel the sense of passion and purpose in what people do. I think it really helps build the culture.” 

For Sophie, who values building deep relationships with people, Dairy Australia has provided the perfect environment to combine her analytical skills with her passion for stakeholder engagement. Here, she’s been trusted to manage complex industry relationships and drive meaningful outcomes across the sector. 

“It's fulfilling to support farmers through the policy journey, ensuring their perspective is represented. I really enjoy roles where I’m sharing knowledge and bringing people along with me. That fills my cup.” 

Growing for good

In Sophie’s eyes, one of the greatest things about Dairy Australia is how varied the work can be. Covering the entire dairy supply chain means there are endless opportunities to learn and grow. 

“There are lots of open doors. You just have to ask, and there’s a good chance you’ll get an opportunity. Less than a year after I joined, I was fully leading the policy response for water and biodiversity. It’s pretty significant work.” 

Shaping policy that affects thousands of farming families across the country is a significant responsibility for Sophie. Yet, she feels fortunate to be backed by Dairy Australia’s supportive and encouraging work environment, which nurtures innovation and creative thinking.  

“The thing that really stood out to me when I first joined was how warm and welcoming everyone here was. People genuinely like each other. It makes the hard days where you have to muck-in much easier because you're genuinely invested in your colleagues and the outcomes the organisation is seeking.” 

For anyone considering a similar path in agricultural policy and sustainability, Sophie offers this reflection: 

“This work sits at the intersection of environment, food, and people. If you're driven by impact and up for the challenge, it’s incredibly rewarding.”