ABOUT
Mission Statement
Our Mission is to grow a professional community of women in agribusiness to learn from one another, develop their career, and build beneficial relationships through regular events and networking that will grow the sector through innovation and collaboration.
Our Vision is to lead the growth in global female agribusiness leadership with a platform that encourages collaboration by coming together for overall innovation and development.
Our Story
The Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit debuted in September 2012 as a dynamic networking and knowledge-sharing forum for women in the sector. Born from inspiration and suggestion from attendees at our sister Global AgInvesting events, this first-in-its-class conference convened women from across the ag value chain with a focus on fostering more positive, productive environments for professional women across the agribusiness and food sectors.
With the original goal to help “recruit, retain, and promote” women, the first Summit, held in New Orleans, featured Senator Debbie Stabenow’s (D-MI) and speakers from Land O’Lakes, Novus International, and U.S. Bank Food Industries. Up-to-the-minute industry content, such as the state of the global agro-economy and markets, navigating risk, understanding logistics and transportation, creating sustainable supply chains and more, have been the mainstay of the event, and hailed as providing some of the best industry knowledge around.
As the event has grown – from 200 attendees in 2012 to nearly 1,100 in 2023 – so too have the special activities and key panels, such as Transforming the Workplace, Female Producer Panel, Executive Profiles, and Ag Innovations. The WIA Summit has become renowned for building a community of women who repeatedly return to the event to develop and nurture key industry connections and gain important business acumen.
Through the years, WIA initiatives have expanded to include year-round WIA Membership and MeetUps, the WIA Demeter Award of Excellence, Student Scholarships, WIA Career Connector, and the WIA Today blog and newsletter.
Meet Our Team
Janet Fisher
Assistant Director, WIA
Janet is leading the WIA business to offer women in the sector a way to grow their network through connections nationally. She works tirelessly to bring together a dynamic Summit experience with a compelling speaker agenda and special event - as well as expand the network reach with membership and regional WIA MeetUps.
Michelle Marshall
Public Relations & Media
Michelle handles PR & media relations and partnerships. She also is managing editor for our WIA Today blog and newsletter, and contributor to GAI News as well as Summit content.
Heather Thompson
Marketing
Heather's primary role is to ensure that you stay abreast of everything related to WIA, whether that be with carefully crafted emails, intriguing social media campaigns, or special promotions and more.
John Hayes
Business Development Mgr
John works collaboratively with current and prospective WIA sponsors on the best ways to match support for both the WIA brand and their company initiatives.
Reagan Russell
Event Production
Reagan helps keep everything moving forward with Summit operations, marketing assistance, special events, and all the details you didn't know were needed.
Carrie Vita
Director, Event Operations
After directing all Women in Agribusiness (WIA) events and initiatives for multiple years, Carrie was seeking a better work-life balance and has returned to her operational roots. She is now Director of Event Operations with Arc Americas, where she oversees the logistical elements of WIA and Global AgInvesting (GAI).
Amber Jost
Application Support Mgr
Have any questions about your registration or the annual Summit? Amber will have the answer and provide guidance.
Kate Scalley
Controller
Kate takes care of all the behind-the- scenes financials. She keeps everything in order for members, sponsors, attendees, and beyond.