Dec 26, 2018

Second class graduates WomenAg Leaders

Seven class members of the Second WomenAg Leadership Academy recently celebrated the completion of their leadership development experience.

The graduates included Linda Kennedy, who works in Employee Safety & Risk Management for Buckeye, Arizona-based Duncan Family Farms.

In December, a reception and dinner were held at The Cliffs Resort in Pismo Beach. The event was attended by UnitedAg directors, trustees, members, guest speakers and family. Guest speakers included Lynn Jacquez of CJ Lake and George Soares of Kahn, Soares, Conway.

The graduation was a culmination of a one-year program that focused on the unique needs of women in agriculture. The seven members of the graduating class were identified as rising leaders who participated in workshops and coursework designed to develop their leadership skills. The program provided professional training and resources from California Women Lead, the largest non-partisan association of women leaders.

Besides Kennedy, graduates included Theresa Kiehn (Director of Operations for AgSafe), Christina Morley (Client Services Coordinator of UnitedAg), Rachel Montoya, Cyndy Pierson (Service Representative, Marshall Pierson, Inc.), Julie Rubbo (VP of HR Valley Farm Management), Kelsey Webb (Executive Specialist, UnitedAg).

UnitedAg has developed and cultivated the WomenAg Leadership Academy for a select group of women in the ag community to network with and learn from highly experienced and accomplished agricultural community leaders, both men and women, who educate and mentor the class as they develop their expertise and define their own leadership paths. UnitedAg will continue this mission in 2019.

Founded in 1980, UnitedAg is a member-owned agricultural trade association dedicated to providing innovative solutions for a strong and healthy agricultural industry. UnitedAg represents more than 850 agriculture-affiliated member organizations, and is based in Irvine, California, with offices in Oxnard, Corona, Salinas, Fresno and Santa Maria.