Say Hello to WIA’s New Leaders
By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (January 28, 2025)
There’s been a changing of the guard at WIA, and it’s all in an effort to usher in a phase of growth and development for the WIA community.
Women in Agribusiness announced last week (see the press release here for full details) the appointment of Svitlana Synkovska as portfolio director – a new role for the business. Synkovska, who has 20 years of experience in the agriculture sector and is an experienced producer of global events like Global Grain Geneva, will drive the growth of the annual flagship WIA Summit, and expand WIA’s reach nationally and globally.
Joining Synkovska steering the WIA ship is Janet Fisher, who was named assistant director of WIA USA last fall. Fisher joined WIA in early 2023 as content manager, formerly holding research and product management positions in the biofuels sector. Fisher will guide the direction for WIA in the U.S., and the examination of all things WIA to improve, develop and introduce the most relevant content and offerings for the 2025 event in Orlando, as well as other initiatives.
So what does this mean for you – our dedicated, engaged WIA community? Really just more good things to come – intriguing new presentations and activities, invigorated networking options, closer collaboration with delegates to create the most meaningful and pertinent WIA offerings and opportunities, and a refined sharpness to the things you’ve come to love about WIA: key sessions like Ag Innovations, Executive Panel, Female Producers Panel; more of the new facilitated networking breakout sessions; incredible off-site events like tours and receptions, and content and networking that is second to none.
Please join me in welcoming and learning more about Svitlana and Janet, and please feel free to reach out with your own questions:
1). WIA Today: Welcome to the WIA team! You have been tasked with leading the strategy and direction for WIA – a newly created role for the business. Please tell us your top three goals and what the WIA community should be most excited about.
Svitlana: Thank you! I’m really excited to join the WIA team and contribute to its amazing mission of building a strong community of women in agribusiness. The idea of fostering learning, career development and collaboration through events and networking is such a powerful way to grow the industry and support each other.
If I had to narrow it down, my top three goals are:
Enhancing the delegate experience: With my 20 years in agribusiness and event management, I want to bring in fresh ideas – innovative event formats, practical content and even more networking opportunities. The goal is for every delegate to walk away feeling inspired, connected and ready to act on what they’ve learned.
Expanding WIA’s reach: Having an international background, I’d love to use that experience to grow WIA’s presence not just nationally but globally. By building partnerships and connecting with new areas of the agribusiness value chain, we can make an even bigger impact.
Building a year-round community: WIA is about so much more than the Summit – it’s about creating a supportive network that lasts year-round. So our plan is to enhance membership, regional meetups and online tools that make it easier for members to stay connected and grow together throughout the year.
I am so excited about all the new opportunities for collaboration, empowerment and innovation for the WIA brand.
2). What has been your experience in the ag and event sectors?
Svitlana: I’ve been in the agribusiness sector for 20 years, wearing many hats along the way – columnist, industry association leader, and event strategist. Over the last 15 years, I’ve launched and produced some pretty exciting events in over 30 countries. These ranged from massive gatherings like Global Grain Geneva, with over 900 delegates, to groundbreaking biofuels and feedstock events in the U.S. and Europe.
As a journalist and ag markets expert, I’ve shared insights on topics like commodities trading to agricultural investments. During these years in agri, I built a great network and gained a lot of market knowledge, which has been key to creating impactful events that address real challenges and opportunities in the agribusiness value chain.
3). Why were you interested in joining the WIA team?
Svitlana: The WIA Summit has a powerful mission - empowering women and fostering collaboration in agribusiness – which immediately resonates with my values and life path. I’ve always been passionate about using innovation and networking to create opportunities, and WIA provides the perfect platform to do that.
Joining WIA is an amazing chance to use my experience to elevate an already impactful community, promote diversity and inclusivity, and help shape an industry that’s vital to the future of both the U.S. and the world. Can’t wait to see what we can achieve together!
4). How did agriculture come to be a part of your life?
Svitlana: Honestly, agriculture wasn’t my original plan. I was set on a career in metals exports, but then I interviewed with an agricultural media company, and everything changed. I fell in love with the industry, stayed and within six years became a co-owner of the company.
What hooked me is how global and dynamic agribusiness is. Every year brings new challenges, new markets and new opportunities. It’s also such a strategic industry – it impacts food security, sustainability and so many other areas. And, to be honest, the best thing about agribusiness is that it’s never boring! There’s always something new to learn and tackle.
5). What do you do for fun?
Svitlana: Oh, its traveling! I enjoy exploring the world with my kids, and Costa Rica and China are two of my all-time favorite destinations. Traveling gives me fresh perspectives and inspiration for my work and life.
Being passionate about food sustainability, I love trying local cuisines and supporting farm-to-table initiatives. Whether I’m hiking through rainforests or wandering through farmers' markets, I always enjoy discovering the diversity and beauty of different cultures. It’s a wonderful way to recharge and spark new ideas.
WIA Today had a few questions for Janet as well:
1). You joined the WIA team in 2023 as content manager. What path led you to that position, and to being named assistant director for WIA late last year?
Janet: I came to WIA in 2023 because after working in renewable fuels for a decade, I wanted a stronger understanding of the broader agribusiness industry. Since then, I’ve learned so much from our WIA community and leaders across the field. I was grateful to be offered the assistant director role last year. It gives me even more opportunity to make an impact as we continue to build on the connection, knowledge and support the WIA community and Summit provide for the industry.
2). What have you found unique about the WIA community and being a part of it?
Janet: My favorite phrase I’ve heard from leaders in our community is “lift as you climb”. Usually, I hear this from women who have decades of experience in agribusiness and understand the power of sharing knowledge so they offer whatever time, effort, expertise and connections they can to support our work uplifting women in our industry. What makes the WIA community unique is that I see this attitude across all of our community members, regardless of age, role or years in agribusiness. I haven’t seen such a proactively helpful and thoughtful sentiment held this widely across any community I’ve been a part of before. As a relatively young professional woman in this industry, I find it inspiring and encouraging.
3). How do you see the content and WIA Summit changing/growing under Svitlana’s direction?
Janet: Svitlana brings a depth of experience in agribusiness across several roles in which she built engaged professional communities and engaging events to keep those communities connected. From the short time we’ve worked together so far, it’s clear that her values strongly align with the work WIA does, and her enthusiasm is contagious.
Under her guidance, I’m excited to see how we can improve the depth of content on the stage and the ease of connection via networking activities and infrastructure at the WIA Summit. Her expertise will ensure we hit on the timeliest agenda topics each year, so we can ensure the WIA Summit remains the central meeting place to learn about the most impactful happenings across the industry and to connect with those making it happen. She’ll also be our guide in building a stronger year-round WIA community, so we can facilitate connections 365 days a year.
4). Can you give us a sneak peek of what’s in store for this year’s Summit in Orlando in September? Will it still look like the Summit our attendees have come to know and love?
Janet: Yes! It will certainly be the familiar WIA Summit our community enjoys each year, with engaging content and new ways to connect with the people attendees want to connect with. We’ve heard resoundingly that our attendees value the networking opportunities at the Summit, so we’re putting even more energy into providing an exceptional networking experience. We plan to continue the roundtable-style networking breakout sessions and will add in some new initiatives this year to ensure you can make fruitful connections with ease.
5). What do you do for fun?
Janet: I’m a serial hobby-jumper, so right now, I’m split between knitting, acrylic painting and writing science fiction. Though, I have a closet full of hobby materials to pull from when it’s time for a switch every few months. What’s consistent is listening to podcasts – my favorite of which at the moment is The Allusionist – while enjoying my rotating curriculum of hobbies.
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You can connect with Svitlana at ssynkovska@womeninag.com, and with Janet at jfisher@womeninag.com.
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