1:00 PM – 2:00PM

Welcome and Introductions

KEYNOTE
Cultivating Change: Leading with Authenticity and Innovation in Ag Tech

Karen Hildebrand’s journey from family farm fields to the forefront of global ag tech at Amazon Web Services is a testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and vision. In this keynote, Karen will share how embracing her unique path—as both a producer and a technology leader—has shaped her approach to driving innovation and building teams.

She’ll go in depth on:

• Breaking Barriers: Navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry, Karen discusses pivotal moments and mentors, and how women can lead boldly and authentically in ag tech.
• Tech in Action: A closer look at how interoperability and AI are transforming agriculture—from connecting data across platforms to using AI agents as trusted partners in decision-making and risk management.
• Redefining the Workforce: How automation, remote monitoring, and multilingual technology are changing who can participate in agriculture, and what this means for women building their careers.

Karen’s story and insights offer both inspiration and practical strategies for women at every stage of their ag tech journey, empowering attendees to leverage technology, build networks, and lead with confidence in an evolving industry.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

General Session
Marketing at the Intersection: Voices Shaping the Future of Ag Tech

In an industry where innovation meets tradition, how do marketing leaders bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and the farmers who need it most? Join us for a dynamic conversation with three women who are not only marketing transformative ag tech solutions—they’re shaping the narrative of agricultural innovation itself.

From autonomous equipment startups to AI-powered crop intelligence platforms to global agricultural leaders, our panelists represent the full spectrum of the ag tech ecosystem. Together, they’ll share hard-won insights on building trust in emerging technologies, navigating vastly different customer journeys, and establishing themselves as influential voices in a historically male-dominated industry.

In this session, you’ll discover:

• How marketing to farmers and growers differs from B2B marketing to enterprises or co-ops
• Strategies for building trust in emerging technology and overcoming skepticism in conservative ag markets
• The evolution of their roles—how they’ve carved out leadership positions and become industry voices
• Marketing metrics that actually drive adoption in ag tech
• The startup versus enterprise perspective on resources, timelines, and approaches
• When to collaborate versus compete in the ag tech ecosystem
• Content strategy and thought leadership—using speaking, writing, and social media to build influence
• Authentic storytelling that connects technology benefits to real farming challenges and outcomes

Whether you’re navigating your own marketing career in ag tech, building a startup, or simply passionate about the future of agriculture, come ready for an engaging conversation that will leave you with fresh perspectives and actionable takeaways.

Moderator: Renee Targos, Group Editor, Agribusiness Group 

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Afternoon Networking Break

Take time to connect with other women in ag tech, continue conversations, stretch your legs, grab a refreshment, or simply recharge before our next session.

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Navigating Innovation: Managing Up, Down, and Across in the Age of AI

Innovation doesn’t fail because of bad technology—it fails when organizations can’t align vision, strategy, and execution. Successfully bringing transformative ideas from concept to reality requires navigating the complex intersection of people, processes, and priorities at every level of an organization.

In this session, you’ll explore how to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, whether you’re championing a new initiative, executing someone else’s vision, or working on the front lines with customers. You’ll gain practical tools to manage competing expectations, foster buy-in, and drive meaningful results.

You’ll explore:

• The three-tiered reality of innovation rollout: How upper management conceptualizes vision, middle management develops strategy and implementation plans, and customer-facing employees deliver the experience—and why understanding all three is critical to success
• Managing up and down effectively: Practical approaches for communicating across organizational levels when rolling out new products, technologies, or initiatives
• What buy-in really looks like: Moving beyond surface-level agreement to genuine collaboration and shared ownership
• AI as a case study: Real-world lessons from integrating artificial intelligence into agronomic practices and what it reveals about organizational readiness
• The human side of digital transformation: Balancing technological capability with the time, effort, and change management required at each organizational level

Whether you’re leading change, supporting it, or simply trying to understand how your role fits into the bigger picture, this session will equip you with frameworks and insights to navigate innovation more effectively—no matter where you sit in the organization.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Impact Huddles (Hands-On Work Groups)

Step away from the main stage and into intimate, interactive conversations. In these small-group Impact Huddles, you’ll tackle real challenges, share experiences, and learn from peers navigating similar journeys in ag tech. Each huddle is led by an industry leader who brings expertise, honest insights, and a passion for helping women advance in agriculture and technology.

We’ll reconvene to share key insights and takeaways from each group—because the best ideas emerge when we learn from each other. Choose your Huddle:

1. Building Your Vision: From Idea to Impact
2. Mentorship & Investment: Opening Doors in Ag Tech
3. Leading Through Change

5:00 PM – 5:30 PM

WiAT Networking Party

Wind down with a cocktail and continue the conversations. A perfect opportunity to connect with panelists, make new contacts, and celebrate the day before heading into tomorrow’s VISION conference.