Sophie grew up on a farm – Coaldale – near Richmond, riding ponies and never expecting to have a career in agriculture. She studied business and journalism at the University of Tasmania before pursuing corporate roles in Canberra, and later Adelaide.
She gained expertise in corporate communications, marketing, and stakeholder engagement, having held roles in federal government (in the areas of fisheries and agriculture), GM Holden manufacturing, and in the disability sector.
In 2021 she returned from Adelaide to Tasmania to join the family business, Coaldale Walnuts. Alongside her husband Brad and parents Phil and Jane Dening, she manages the walnut orchard, walnut processing, pickled walnut production and business operations. She also runs a communications consultancy and sits on the board of Rural Business Tasmania.
Sophie joined the CRPA Executive Committee in 2021.