Grace Brennan

Residing on a picturesque sheep and cropping farm in Warren, NSW, Grace Brennan is an inspiring entrepreneur and dedicated advocate for rural communities. Alongside her husband, Jack, and their four children, Grace has made it her mission to uplift and empower families in the bush through her innovative initiatives and strong community focus.

As the Co-Founder of AgDraft, Grace honed her business acumen while addressing the employment needs of the agricultural sector. Her keen understanding of the challenges faced by rural businesses led her to establish a suite of start-up programs aimed at connecting them with wider markets.

In 2019, Grace launched the groundbreaking #buyfromthebush social media campaign to support communities grappling with drought. Within just two months, her initiative became a viral sensation, generating a remarkable $14 million for small and micro businesses in rural Australia, while growing rural postage by 30%. This campaign not only highlighted the creativity and resourcefulness of rural makers but also encouraged city dwellers to invest in bush businesses, fostering a sense of unity between urban and rural Australia.

The following year, Grace expanded her efforts by introducing the #stayinthebush campaign, which promoted domestic tourism and showcased the beauty of rural accommodation options. Her innovative online marketplace, Buy From The Bush, and the Stay In The Bush directory further connected rural artisans, creators, and retailers with customers worldwide.

Grace’s remarkable contributions have garnered national recognition. In 2019, the Sydney Morning Herald named her one of the nine most influential female entrepreneurs. She delivered a powerful Australia Day Address in 2020, highlighting the importance of investing in rural communities. Her accolades continued in 2021 when she was named NSW Regional Woman of the Year and became a finalist for Australian of the Year.

Passionate about storytelling and community-driven change, Grace Brennan captivates audiences with her keynote presentations, emphasising the transformative power of investment over charity. As a proud advocate for regional Australia and women in business, Grace remains steadfast in her mission to inspire more investment in bush enterprises, fostering resilience and innovation in rural communities.