Women in Leadership and Agriculture Programming
Beginning in 2021, the college has arranged a professional development opportunity for students to come and learn from some of the industry's best female agriculture leaders. The panelists or speakers are asked a variety of questions in regards, but not limited to, navigating their career path, challenges they have faced and how they overcame those challenges and are asked to share any lessons learned along the way.
Additional opportunities to network with the panelists typically include a meal, networking socials, and/or classroom discussions.
Entrepreneurship Panel
Learn to be successful from real-life entrepreneurs. Beginning in 2012, the College of Agriculture hosts an annual panel discussion for students to learn about strategies to expand their future opportunities from innovative alumni and friends to Purdue Agriculture. Attend the event to learn how to think outside the box, how to plan your own destiny, and how to accomplish your business dreams.
In 2015, Purdue Agriculture dedicated the event to honor Johann R. Garwood as a tribute for his passion for educating our students. Joe Garwood earned his Bachelor's degree from Purdue in 1978 before he started his 21-year career with DuPont's Agricultural Products Division where he received the highest marketing award: the Corporate Marketing Excellence Recognition. But, it was his entrepreneurial spirit that led him to the private sector where he was involved in several business ventures and ending his career as the LCC Manager, Vice President and Director of Corporate Operations at Fulcrum Exploration, LLC. While being honored in 2014 as one of Purdue's Distinguished Agriculture Alumni, Garwood shared "I'm very passionate about sharing the virtues of entrepreneurism with our students."
2024 College of Agriculture Women in Leadership Luncheon
- Robyn Heine, Vice President, Communications at Intelinair
2023 College of Agriculture's 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.