The Tauranga chief executive of the Dairy Women's Network Sarah Speight has resigned from her position.

Since taking the position in 2011 Sarah has been commuting from her home in Tauranga to the network's Hamilton based offices but says that to take the network to the next stage, and do the role justice, it requires someone Waikato based.

Sarah Speight has resigned from her role as chief executive of the Dairy Women's Network.

'Being in Tauranga and with significant family and community commitments has made me rethink my priorities.

'I have decided to resign from the role of chief executive to spend more time with my family in the immediate future.”

Dairy Women's Network Trust Board chair Michelle Wilson says Sarah has had an outstanding tenure as chief executive including doubling the network's membership numbers, playing an instrumental role in launching the Dairy Woman of the Year Award, building a team of employees and growing significant support for the network from industry organisations and sponsors.

'We are disappointed to be losing Sarah as our leader, but we understand the challenges of travelling and juggling career and family life, and consequently her decision to spend more time with her family and be closer to home.”

Michelle has stepped into the role of executive chair to lead the network's day-to-day operations while a recruitment campaign is carried out.

The Dairy's Women's Network describes itself as the premier forum for women in the New Zealand dairy community. Its aims are to expand, the potential of dairy women in a changing environment by providing inspiration, learning and connection.