WOMEN IN AG TECH℠

AGENDA

January 21
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Badge Pickup

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5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Meet up at Salt Tacos & Tequila

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January 22
Breakfast on Your Own

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Lara Sowinski, CropLife Group Editor,Meister Media Worldwide

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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  

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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

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10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Networking Break

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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.

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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.  

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12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch

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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 

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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.  

1. Accessing Capital Funding – Facilitator: Martha Montoya, Chief Executive Officer, Agtools, Inc.
2. AI and Gen AI in Ag Tech- Facilitator: Susan Groeneveld, Founder, sylvester.ai
3. Career Advancement – Facilitator: Cassie Edgar, Biotech Attorney – Partner, McKee Voorhees & Sease PLC

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2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Networking with VISION Attendees in Lounge