The annual Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit is more than a conference – it’s a platform for connection, leadership, and growth. Held this year from Sept. 22-24 in Orlando, Florida, the 14th WIA Summit brought together 700 women from 39 states, D.C., and eight countries to share insights, build networks, and explore the future of agriculture.
AgReserves actively participated for the fourth consecutive year, sending two employees from AgriNorthwest – Sr. HR Manager Roschel Bladow and GIS Analyst Erika Linford – as well as sponsoring two students – Delaney Brown (Texas A&M) and Sophia Thanasouras (Wisconsin-Madison) – who are pursuing careers in agriculture.
“We are proud to have been represented at this year’s WIA conference that brings women leaders and innovators together to learn and share best practices,” AgReserves Vice President of Human Resources Lisa White said. “We are especially thrilled to have sponsored two students to attend to support the next generation of women in agriculture.”
That spirit of support and inspiration was echoed by attendees.
“The Women in Ag Summit was far more than I expected,” Roschel said. “It brought together an extraordinary group of women from around the world – many with decades of experience in agriculture – who have continuously innovated and adapted to overcome every challenge. Their stories were uplifting, inspiring, and made me incredibly proud to be part of this industry.”
Erika echoed the energy and impact of the event. “From day one to the final moments, there was a lively and welcoming atmosphere,” she said. “I was inspired by the many ways women are contributing across the industry, and especially by the students we sponsored. Their excitement to enter the field and contribute to the industry was contagious.”
The summit’s agenda included 60-plus speakers and 20-plus expert-led sessions on topics such as trade policy, leadership development, consumer preferences, weather impacts, investment trends and much more. Erika noted how valuable it was to hear from professionals outside her day-to-day work. “I appreciated the sessions led by experts from across the industry, who shared insights and perspectives I don’t often encounter in my daily work.”
Roschel was struck by the summit’s emphasis on leadership and collaboration. “Whether we’re small independent growers or part of larger companies, we rely on each other to grow – not just as businesses, but as individuals,” she said. “That spirit of collaboration and mutual respect is what truly drives our industry forward.”
The 15th WIA Summit is scheduled for next September in New Orleans, where the initial Summit was held in 2012. WIA is also debuting its Global Summit in 2026, in Amsterdam on May 18-19.