As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s worth recognising the vital role women play in agriculture, including the cotton industry. Ashley Hollis is one of many young women shaping the future of the cotton industry in Australia.

Working at the other end of the supply chain with brands, Cotton Australia’s Brand Relationships Manager Ashley Hollis has built a career around advocating for Australian fibre growers.

Ashley joined the cotton industry in 2022 after a decade working in the wool sector, bringing with her extensive experience across the textile supply chains, from processing methods to finished production.

“After 10 years in wool, cotton was the next step for me,” Ashley said.

“I wanted to understand its global impact and help brands move towards a more sustainable future and choice.”

As part of her role with Cotton Australia, Ashley works closely with brands and supply chain partners to advocate for our farmers and build the reputation of Australian cotton through marketing and promotional campaigns.

She is passionate about learning from researchers, ginners, farmers, and product developers and manufacturers.

“I strive to be a 'go to' for farmers to explain what's happening globally with EU legalisation impacts, traceability and general conversation so they better understand what I am trying to achieve in my role,” Ashley said.

To further deepen her knowledge of the cotton industry and expand her network, Ashley successfully applied for the 2026 Future Cotton Leaders Program.

“It felt like the right next step in my industry journey, a chance to grow, challenge myself, and connect with great people across the Australian cotton industry,” she said.

“I believe that building strong foundations in knowledge and connections is essential to my growth as a leader in advocacy with brands and NGOs globally. It provides me the appropriate language and information I need to articulate best for our farmers not to mention bridging the gap between farmers and brands.”

What inspires Ashley most is the chance to connect the story of cotton from farm to fashion.

“I love supporting our cotton farmers and connecting agriculture with fashion, it’s the perfect blend of both worlds for me,” she said.

“I just hope I’m doing work that makes our farmers proud.”

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate Ashley Hollis and all the women who continue to advance and champion the future of Australian cotton.