WOMEN IN AG TECH℠
Join Us for Our 2nd In-Person Meeting
co-located at The VISION Conference
January 21-22, 2024
Attend the Women in Ag Tech meeting taking place just before The VISION Conference
January 21-22
Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa
9495 Entertainment Blvd (formerly W. Coyotes Blvd.)
Glendale, Arizona 85305
The initiative prioritizes opportunities for women to engage both face-to-face and virtually by cultivating a collaborative community through access to mentorship programs, idea exchanges, and collaboration with professionals and organizations within our industry.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this important community! Join us for this important gathering of women across our industry.
2024 Women in Ag Tech
Supporting Sponsors
Women in Ag Tech provides a platform for women in ag tech to connect, engage, and build a community. Women in Ag Tech is a crucial initiative for advancing and advocating for women in the field.
SPEAKERS
Lara Sowinski, CropLife Group Editor, Meister Media Worldwide
Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Innovation, International Fresh Produce Association
Kathleen Glass, Vice President of Marketing, AquaSpy
Nancy Bohl Bormann, PhD Candidate, University of Minnesota
Kristen Smith Eshaya, President, JV Smith Cos.
Joyce Hunter, Executive Director, Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT)
Jennifer Goldston, Founder and CEO, AgTech PR
Dr. Andrea Arias, VP of Data Science & Crop Testing, Jord Bioscience
Carolyn Gunkel, Counsel, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Martha Montoya, Chief Executive Officer, Agtools, Inc.
Wendy Ell, President, Industries in Transition
Susan Groeneveld, Founder, sylvester.ai
Cassie Edgar, Biotech Attorney – Partner, McKee Voorhees & Sease PLC
AGENDA
January 21
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Badge Pickup
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Meet up at Salt Tacos & Tequila
January 22
Breakfast on Your Own
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Lara Sowinski, CropLife Group Editor,Meister Media Worldwide
8:45 AM – 9:30 AM
KEYNOTE
Cultivating Resilience: A Woman in Ag Tech’s Insights on Food Safety, Cybersecurity, and Leadership in STEM
Woman in Ag Tech and one of the FBI’s leaders in national security – as it relates to agriculture – will address food safety, cybersecurity threats, and risk mitigation, before sitting down for a candid interview about her experiences as a woman in STEM. The speaker will also be taking questions from the audience.
Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Ask an Ambassador
Have your questions ready for our distinguished panel of Women in Ag TechSM Ambassadors who have blazed the trail for others, while developing networks to advocate, mentor, and celebrate furthering innovation and advancements in the field by women. Learn their strategies for success and creating opportunities.
Moderator:
Lara Sowinski, CropLife Group Editor, Meister Media Worldwide
Panelists:
Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Innovation, International Fresh Produce Association
Kathleen Glass, Vice President of Marketing, AquaSpy
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Networking Break
10:45 AM- 11:30 PM
Finding Success at Any Career Stage: Mentorship, Coaching, and Cross-Generational Insight
We’ll be talking with women in various stages of their life and career to learn how they’re paving the way for women in ag tech and for the industry as a whole. We’ll discuss cross-generational learning, mentorship and coaching, and how they played a role in the success of our panelists.
Moderator:
Heather Tunstall, Corporate Content Director, Meister Media Worldwide
Panelists:
Nancy Bohl Bormann, PhD Candidate, University of Minnesota
Joyce Hunter, Executive Director, Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT)
Kristen Smith Eshaya, President, JV Smith Cos.
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Strategic Approaches for Thriving in Ag Tech
Learn strategies to get a seat at the table – and be heard once you’re there!
Moderator:
Jennifer Goldston, Founder and CEO, AgTech PR
Panelists:
Dr. Andrea Arias, VP of Data Science & Crop Testing, Jord Bioscience
Carolyn Gunkel, Counsel, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Martha Montoya, Chief Executive Officer, Agtools, Inc.
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Opening Pathways for Growth: Collaboration Opportunities in Canada
Explore the essential needs of US tech innovators in the agricultural technology sector – business expansion, market discovery, research collaboration, knowledge of regulations, and financial access. Join us for an insightful discussion on identifying crucial support from the diverse Canadian ecosystem, promising a valuable dialogue that could pave the way for collective growth opportunities.
Wendy Ell, President, Industries in Transition
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Interactive Discussion Groups
Participate in informative roundtable discussions with subject matter experts. A variety of topics will be available for you to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and share knowledge with one another in an informal setting.
- Accessing Capital Funding – Facilitator: Martha Montoya, Chief Executive Officer, Agtools, Inc.
- AI and Gen AI in Ag Tech- Facilitator: Susan Groeneveld, Founder, sylvester.ai
- Career Advancement – Facilitator: Cassie Edgar, Biotech Attorney – Partner, McKee Voorhees & Sease PLC
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Networking with VISION Attendees in Lounge
Show Your Support: Elevate Women in Ag Tech
Contribute to positive change in the industry, drive innovation, and help create a more inclusive and equitable future for women in agricultural technology.
Let’s Connect!
Chris Pernell
Business Director
Email