Spark: Career in Agribusiness

Marianne Smukowski, Safety Applications Coordinator at Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, discusses her career in food science and the path she took from government to private industry to academia.

Assistant Vice President of Communications for the National Pork Board, Cunningham has truly found her sweet spot. And she's still actively involved in the family livestock and grain farm where she grew up.

For the last 20 years, Jenny Stelmach has worked as a commodity broker and for the last two has served as vice president of American Agri-Women. She shares how she came to work in agriculture and dispenses career wisdom and advice.

Barcus discusses her career and current role at Agriculture Future of America, which builds bridges for young leaders to foster engagement and innovation in food and agriculture.

Second Vice President of Indiana Farm Bureau Isabella Chism immigrated to the U.S. from Austria with her parents when she was six years old. She expected to follow in her father's footsteps and work at General Motors, but ended up marrying a farmer, which completely changed her career trajectory.

A fourth generation farmer near Parker, S.D., and former South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture, Bones discusses growing up on the family farm, his involvement in public service and offers great advice for learners of all ages.

President of Grossman Software Solutions Gail Miller was inspired to pursue science and math by her mother, who was a chemist in a time when few women went to college and even fewer became scientists. She shares the story of her career and discusses what she's learned about leadership and success.

Dawn Caldwell grew up on a farm and has worked in agriculture for her entire career. She joined Aurora Cooperative, where she's held three different positions, in 2000. Caldwell discusses learning experiences, life challenges, difficult decisions, opportunities for growth, balancing career and ...

As executive director of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, Johnson has combined her farm background with her education in marketing and communications to create a dynamic career path. She discusses her career experiences and offers advice for those entering the field.

As a rancher, grazing manager, author and mother, Liz Hughey leads a busy and fulfilling life. She and Sara Steever discuss how her career path evolved from serving as a backcountry guide and packer in the Rockies to her current occupation.

Pamela Sweeten has worked in food safety for many years, helping guide industry improvements and response to consumer preferences. Sweeten visits with host Sara Steever about her career, ag policy and opportunities for young people.

For more than 60 years, Evelyn Brandt Thomas has, with her brother Glen, led Brandt Consolidated, Inc., a multimillion-dollar international firm that helps farmers adopt new technologies. Now 94, Thomas visits with host Sara Steever about her career, community leadership and philanthropy.

Attorney Cari Rincker concentrates on food and agriculture law. She is a prolific writer and blogger, and a strong advocate of networking. She visits with host Sara Steever about her career, which began with a master's degree in ruminant nutrition and led to founding her own law firm.

Doebler's Hybrids Marketing Manager Pam Dincher is responsible for developing and executing marketing strategy, which includes digital strategy and meaningful customer experiences. Dincher spent 10 years at a software company before joining Doebler's. In this episode of Spark, Dincher discusses how ...

Global Water Innovations, Inc., Co-Founder and Chief Strategic Officer, and American Agri-Women President Jeanette Lombardo had a 24-year career in corporate banking before becoming more deeply involved in the ag sector through government appointments and advocacy group leadership. She discusses ...

As president and chief marketing officer at Kinze, Veatch grew up around the business, which is a family-owned company started by her father. She discusses her early life, her career path and the challenges of balancing work and family.

President and CEO of Beck Ag, Inc., Liska brought a family farm background and more than 20 years of experience in sales and sales management to Beck Ag. She discusses how her experiences, both personal and professional, have helped shape her success.

As corporate communications manager for GROWMARK, Inc., Bradford has 33 years of ag communications industry experience under her belt. Her interview includes thoughts on her childhood, education, career and upcoming mission trip.

President of the nation's oldest agricultural advocacy organization, Huber talks with Sara Steever about her farm upbringing, her belief in community and civic participation and her career path.

General counsel at Sukup Manufacturing, Schmitt handles a wide range of legal issues but also makes time for “passion projects” within the company. She discusses her education, career and current roles with Sara Steever.

As agri-business division manager for the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Behrens promotes events and programs that showcase agriculture. She visits with Sara Steever about her farm background, interesting career path and lessons learned.

Kreke, senior marketing manager for Culver's Franchising System, is responsible for creating a digital experience for Culver's that matches its highly-lauded offline hospitality. She speaks to the value of education, marketing through storytelling and her farm background.

As senior manager, U.S. industry relations at Zoetis, Pinkerton is an agriculture and communications expert. She discusses her career with Sara Steever and provides advice on flexibility, trusting one's instincts, mentoring and decision-making.

Tranzillo, senior consultant with The Context Network, brings 20 years of animal health and agribusiness experience to the table. She visits with Sara Steever about networking, mentoring and career challenges.

As Founder and Editor of Agri-Pulse, Wyant has created a company that reports the most up-to-date agricultural and rural policy decisions, which are indispensable to ag industry leaders. She visited with Sara Steever about how her farm background shaped her career.

Young, Director of Brownfield and Ag Operations, talks with Sara Steever about lessons learned and opportunities and challenges that shaped her career.

Susan Tronchetti, a business development professional, and her daughter Lisa Tronchetti, a dairy products merchandiser at Gavilon Group, LLC, talk with Sara Steever about the experiences and choices that led them to their current careers and their ongoing relationship/mentorship.

Wasson, U.S. Commercial Leader of Dow AgroScience's Crop Protection division, talks with Sara Steever about how she navigated her upward path at Dow and how to build an effective network.

An experienced national account manager with a lengthy career in media, information technology and services, Seger visits with host Sara Steever about her exciting career and the ag industry.

Vice President and Co-Founder of ZimmComm New Media, a news and content creation and distribution company, Zimmerman visits about her career and passion for communications.

Farm director for WNAX Radio, reporter for AgDay and U.S. Farm Report, Rook discusses learning, growing and embracing experiences.

As an accomplished executive with a track record of developing innovative strategies that drive revenue and market share gains, Rader discusses career development and working in agribusiness.

State Director and Past President of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and farmer Gillie shares her thoughts on promoting agriculture and finding success.

As president, Lin is responsible for leading more than 11,000 employees across nearly 30 countries. She discusses leadership strategies and the ag industry.

As a dynamic leader in U.S. agribusiness, Basse is a seasoned executive with a history of successfully heading up teams and developing people.

As global communication leader on the Global Corporate Affairs team, Cisek touches on leadership lessons, coping with change and finding fulfilling work.

Oesch, who is global marketing manager, discusses building a career in the ag industry, networking and important skills for young professionals.

Shelman was the director of the Harvard Business School agribusiness program and today works with organizations to help them analyze and respond to change.

Interim Director Trautman visits with host Sara Steever about education, leadership skills and being part of the ag industry.

Head of Sustainable Productivity Wheeler and her daughter, Anna Libra, share insights on ag's big picture and strategies for career growth.

Sylvia Wolters, director of public relations of Pipestone Holdings, grew up on a family farm in western Washington and graduated with a degree in animal science from Washington State University. Wolters has been involved in pig farm ownership, management and veterinary service management for 20 ...