CATE Leadership

Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development

Women in Leadership and Agriculture Programming

The College of Agriculture hosts a Women in Leadership luncheon during the month of March (Women's History Month). The luncheon is a professional development and networking opportunity that serves to acknowledge women's contribution to the agriculture community and industry. Student female leaders within the College of Agriculture are invited to attend and learn from the speakers about navigating their career paths, overcoming challenges and obstacles, and any other lessons learned throughout their professional journeys.

The date for 2025 is TBD and will be posted here.

2024 Women in Leadership Luncheon

  • Robyn Heine, Vice President, Communications at Intelinair

 2023 Women in Leadership Panel

  • Natasha Cox, FarmCredit Mid-America
  • Dr. Tracie Egger, AgReliant Genetics
  • Emmy Boganwright, Corteva Agriscience 

2023 Entrepreneurship Panel

  • Ellen Shew Holland, Strategic Risk Frameworks
  • Paul Miller, Flats or Spikes
  • Tim Dixon, Purdue DIAL Ventures

2022 Women in Leadership Panel

  • Beth Archer, AgriInstitute
  • Melissa Rekewed, AgriNovus Indiana
  • Kenda Resler Friend, KRF Public Relations
  • Julia Wickard, IDEM

2022 Entrepreneurship Panel

  • Jennafer Baird-King, Red Raccoon Boutiques
  • Brandon Hunter, The Origin of Greatness
  • Dr. Trisha Keffer, Heartland Veterinary Services
  • Travis Martin, Magnetic Ag
  • Olivia West, Eli Lilly and Company

2019 Entrepreneurship Panel

  • Dan Dawes, AgriNovus
  • Zack James, Rabbit Tractor
  • Lauren Oparah, Soy Glitter
  • David Wilson, MAPS

2018 Entrepreneurship Panel

  • Lee Stanish, Owner of Eddie Joe's Icehouse
  • Jackson Troxel,  Healthiest Employers Program Manager for Springbuk
  • Justin Wagler, Co-Owner of Nutrient Management Partners
  • Sarah Wagler, Co-Owner of Nutrient Management Partners

2017 Entrepreneurship Panel

  • Dr. Chuck Dietzen, Pediatric Rehabilitation Specialist Physician, Chief of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine & Medical Director at Riley Hospital for Children 
  • Mindy Creighton Truex, Vice President of Creighton Brothers LLC
  • Cody McKinley, Owner of Corsa Instruments, Inc.
  • Kristi Kretzmeier, Owner of Family Farm

2016 Entrepreneurship Panel

  • Dan Kerkhoff - CEO of Nature's Farm & Kerkhoff LLC
  • Jennifer Pflum - Senior Manager of Manutacturing Quality Assurance, Starbucks Corp.
  • Daryl Staff - Founder of Little Engine Ventures
  • Kristin Whittington - Founder & President of Landmark Enterprises, LLC

2015 Entrepreneurship Panel

  • Denny Bell, Owner & Founder of TerreMax
  • Ryan Howard, President & Co-Founder of Chicago Vegan Foods
  • Chris Johnson, Owner of People's Brewing Company & Master Brewer
  • Roy Riggs, Director for the U.S. Cattle Business Unit of Elanco Animal Health

2014 Entrepreneurship Panel

  • David & Stacy Hetty, Financial Advisors
  • J. Christian Layer, Moog
  • Dr. Don Orr, President of JBS United
  • Jonathan Stapley
  • Don Villwock, President, Indiana Farm Bureau

2013 Entrepreneurship Panel

  • Barbara Cohen, Founder & CSO of Arex Life Sciences, Inc.
  • Malcolm KeKryger, President of Belstra Milling Company 
  • Kim (Schwarzkopf) De Wees, BS Agricultural Economics 1995 - Founder of Vision Ag, Inc.
  • Johann (Joe) Garwood, Co-Founder & Managing Member of Fulcrum Exploration, LLC
  • Mona Baker Wolf, President & Founder of The Wolf Group

2012 Entrepreneurship Event

  • Vane Clayton, President & CEO of KPA, LLC
  • Dave Doster, Vice President & General Manager of Ford Car & Powertrain Center for Visteon, Executive Champion for the Climate Control Product Line & Corporate Officer
  • Joe Garwood, CanAm Oil & Gas, LP
  • Kevin Kelley
  • Stanley Morton,  Owner of Palmer Products, Inc.
  • Brian Vorst, President of Azland, Inc.