By Georgia Smith, 18 November, 2025
Sally Higgins is helping shape the future of Australian agriculture. As a Consulting Director at Nous Group, a Nuffield Scholar exploring how Australian agriculture can adapt to climate-driven land use change and competition, and co-owner of a mixed cattle and cropping farm in Queensland’s Southern Downs, Sally brings a rare blend of strategic insight and hands-on experience to some of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture today. We spoke to Sally about how her QUT Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) has set her up for success and empowered her to drive meaningful change across regional communities, agriculture and the environment.
Can you tell us a little about your current role and the impact you’re striving to create?
I’m lucky to wear a few different hats. As a Consulting Director with Nous Group, I get to work with incredible teams on complex challenges at the intersection of agriculture and the environment. Much of my work involves shaping strategies and policies that address resource pressures and support long-term change in primary industries.
Outside of consulting, I also spend time on our mixed cattle and cropping farm on the Southern Downs with my partner. The farm is the perfect balance, it keeps me connected to the land and reminds me every day why the policy and strategy work I do matters.
What inspired you to focus your career on agriculture, regional communities and sustainable food systems?
Some of the biggest challenges facing agriculture, like climate change, geopolitical uncertainty and resource competition, can only be tackled through system-level solutions. This inspired me to think about where I could have the greatest influence, and working in policy and strategy consulting allows me to do just that. At the heart of it, I want to unlock the transformative potential of regional Australia through the right system settings.
How has your role allowed you to create impact or influence change so far?
My work creates impact by shaping decisions and strategies that strengthen agriculture, regional communities and food systems. I help businesses and governments plan growth and investments—I could be supporting agricultural corporates to define their next growth strategy or leading evaluations on programs that identify what works and how it could be improved.
Why did you choose to study a Bachelor of Business at QUT?
I chose to study a Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) at QUT because I wanted a degree that was broad, one that would open doors and give me the flexibility to shape my own path. My degree definitely did that, allowing me the flexibility to create the diverse career I’m in today.
How did your Bachelor of Business set you up for success?
My degree gave me the confidence to find my voice and take advantage of opportunities that came my way. The connections I built through internships, along with the skills I developed during international business case competitions, sharpened my ability to influence, present, and lead—skills I now rely on daily to guide teams. Coming from a small country town, these opportunities were transformative… I still smile thinking of my 15-year-old self who dreamed of one day catching the bus to a “professional city job”.
Were there any extracurricular experiences during your QUT studies that supported your learning and helped shape your career?
My journey at QUT was shaped by the Corporate Partners in Excellence Scholarship. It connected me with a network of driven, like-minded students who inspired me to push boundaries and grow. The program also offered hands-on experience, including two 15-week internships with sponsoring organisations. These placements led directly to my first professional role and gave me an incredible launchpad for my career.
Another highlight, and one of the reasons I wanted to study at QUT, was the global opportunities on offer, which I took full advantage of. I completed a summer internship in Finland, a study tour in India and travelled to four international business case competitions in Canada, the US and Germany. These experiences broadened my worldview and helped shape the career path I’m on today.
How has your business background shaped the way you approach sustainability and innovation in agriculture as a business owner, Consulting Director at Nous Group and Nuffield Scholar?
Studying business at QUT taught me to deeply understand a problem before finding a solution, a mindset that has shaped how I approach sustainability. I focus on ensuring that practices are both commercially viable and ethically sound. Whether I’m working on our mixed cattle and cropping farm in the Southern Downs or leading projects as Consulting Director at Nous Group, I strive for solutions that are practical, grounded, and capable of delivering real impact.
What advice would you give to current or future QUT students who want to make a difference in their industry or community?
There are two things I try to live by:
- Be interested and be interesting—keep learning, ask bold questions and make yourself memorable by being authentic.
- Be ready when your opportunity comes—prepare by getting involved, finding what you care about and staying engaged, and when those opportunities appear, make sure you say yes.