Hake named 2026 Book Harmon Leadership Fellow
Marissa Hake, DVM, senior director of animal welfare and sustainable farming at Fairlife, LLC, was named the Purdue University Department of Animal Sciences’ 40th Book Harmon Leadership Fellow.
Hake earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health from Michigan State University. After veterinary school, she worked in calf health and production agriculture before joining Fairlife.
During her career, she also developed a passion for agricultural communication. Through her social media accounts, @CalfVet on Facebook and @CalfVet_ on Instagram, she shares information about modern agriculture with consumers. Hake told students that the communication skills she developed through social media ultimately became an asset in her career and helped lead her to Fairlife.
For Hake, that focus on communication became part of an unexpected career path.
“Honestly, my career path was never a straight line, and I think that’s actually the most important thing I can share with students,” Hake said. “I really never thought advocacy and communication would be where my career ended up, but here we are.”
During the forum, she highlighted the variety of careers available in agriculture, including animal health, sustainability, data analysis, marketing, genetics, nutrition and farm management. She also emphasized the value of students’ individual backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to enter the industry.
Hake said communication has also become an important part of how she approaches leadership. She encouraged students to invest in those around them and not view another person’s success as taking away from their own.
“Helping others, investing in the people around you, that’s a really important part of leadership for me,” Hake said.
She also encouraged students to take risks and pursue opportunities, even when they may not feel completely prepared.
No one is going to come and tap you on the shoulder and say, ‘I have great opportunities for you. You ask for them before you feel ready.
- Marissa Hake, DVM
Looking ahead, Hake said she sees opportunities for the next generation to bring creativity and new technology to animal agriculture, but communication remains especially important.
“We need people who understand what’s actually happening on the farm and can translate that up the supply chain and out to consumers,” Hake said. “A background like the one these students are building is incredibly valuable, and I don’t think they always realize that yet.”
Outside of her role at Fairlife, Hake and her family raise British White cattle and operate Black Label Farm Market, a direct-to-consumer meat business.
The Book Harmon Leadership Program was established in 2005 by Bob Book and Bud Harmon, Ph.D., former professor and head of Purdue Animal Sciences. The program supports leadership development among animal sciences students through educational forums, resources, funding and other opportunities.
Pictures from the event
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