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Women In Ag Summit focused on advancement

A conference in Minneapolis this week is focused on helping women advance in agribusiness careers.

The fourth annual Women In Agribusiness Summit concludes Wednesday, and director Joy O’Shaughnessy says the first two events were primarily about hurdles women face in ag careers.

“It was really important for us this year to move away from that conversation, and move it forward towards taking action.  Strategies and tactics that are tangible, and that our attendees can either use personally, or that their companies can use.”

She tells Brownfield women make up only five percent of CEO-level management in agribusiness today. The Summit is addressing that by offering something new.

“This year we’re having a panel of men discuss how to partner with men for our advancement.  When you’re the minority, you don’t have the power to make change.  You need the majority to align with.”

O’Shaughnessy says some executive men will participate in the panel to discuss various tactics. Her hope is that attendees will leave the conference equipped with clear next-steps to advance in their careers.