Webinar Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlumniToTheTop

Your greatest professional advantage might be building an online presence that reflects your character, passions and genuine thoughts.

Brooke Clay Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at Empire Ag and Founder of the Rural Gone Urban Foundation, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to explore what it really means to build a personal brand. With more than a decade of experience helping agriculture, food and rural businesses find their voice and tell their stories, Brooke has built a recognizable brand of her own by showing up with expertise, personality and authenticity.

Brooke gets real about:

• Defining your brand: Clarify your reputation, character and goals so you can show up with intention.
• Showing up Authentically: Build trust by aligning who you are online and in person and sharing your story with your own voice.
• Bringing personality and fun: Make professional spaces more engaging, human and enjoyable.

This episode offers practical advice and plenty of perspective if you’re trying to build a stronger online presence, communicate with more confidence or figure out how your professional identity can be more fun.

Want to hear more from Brooke? Check out her blog here!

Connect with Brooke

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow her on Instagram
• Follow Empire Ag on LinkedIn
• Follow the Rural Gone Urban Foundation on LinkedIn
• Follow Empire Ag on Instagram
• Follow the Rural Gone Urban Foundation on Instagram

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Series

The Cultivating Leaders Series is the go-to resource for anyone ready to take their leadership to the next level, delivering powerful insights from top voices in food, agriculture and beyond. The podcast offers immediate, actionable advice from the top leaders in food and ag, with guests who break down the skills that set them apart in the real world. Join the live webinars to bring leadership to life, with candid conversations, live Q&A and behind-the-scenes stories from C-suite executives. Together, these virtual experiences are designed to meet you where you are and help you lead with purpose, confidence and clarity.

Webinar Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlumniToTheTop

A long list of LinkedIn connections might look impressive, but the relationships that shape your career are built on trust.

Chase DeCoite, Senior VP, Food Industry Relations at the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to talk about what it really takes to build professional relationships that last. Chase has built a career connecting farmers, cooperatives, processors, customers and industry leaders across the food and dairy value chain. 

Chase gets real about:

• Real Relationships are the Goal: real value comes from building trust early, long before you ever need support
• Listening Builds Real Connection: Strong relationships are built through listening more than you speak, asking thoughtful questions without turning conversations into interviews, and being fully present
• Human Leadership Matters Most: following through, showing up consistently, and avoiding overly polished or performative interactions compound into meaningful relationships

Whether you’re walking into your first networking reception, trying to build credibility with a new team or learning how to work across different perspectives, Chase offers a more human way to think about professional relationships.

Want to hear more from Chase? Check out her blog here!

Connect with Chase

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy on LinkedIn
• Follow the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy Instagram
• Follow the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy on Facebook
• Visit their website

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Series

The Cultivating Leaders Series is the go-to resource for anyone ready to take their leadership to the next level, delivering powerful insights from top voices in food, agriculture and beyond. The podcast offers immediate, actionable advice from the top leaders in food and ag, with guests who break down the skills that set them apart in the real world. Join the live webinars to bring leadership to life, with candid conversations, live Q&A and behind-the-scenes stories from C-suite executives. Together, these virtual experiences are designed to meet you where you are and help you lead with purpose, confidence and clarity.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

What does it take to lead with speed, focus and trust when the stakes are high?

Eric Hansotia, Chairman, President and CEO of AGCO Corporation, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to dive into setting transformational goals, building aligned teams and keeping farmers at the center of every decision. Eric shares how starting his career as an engineer shaped the way he thinks about problem-solving, leadership and innovation. From “right-to-left thinking” and keeping farmers and the center of the business, Eric offers practical frameworks for anyone trying to lead change and turn strategy into action.

Eric gets real about:

• Lead where you are: Stop obsessing over a perfectly mapped career path and focus on creating excellence, learning and impact in the role you have today.
• Move with purpose: Set transformational goals, create clarity around the destination and build team buy-in because success depends on both a strong plan and people who believe in it.
• Build trust that lasts: Ask better questions, focus on the decisions only you can make and create a culture grounded in benevolence, honesty and competence while protecting the moments that matter most in life.

If you are learning how to lead people, manage change or make bigger decisions with confidence, this conversation gives you a practical leadership toolbox you can start using right away.

Want to hear more from Eric? Check out his blog here!

Connect with Eric

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow AGCO on LinkedIn
• Follow AGCO on Instagram
• Follow the COMPANY on Facebook
• Visit their website

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Series

The Cultivating Leaders Series is the go-to resource for anyone ready to take their leadership to the next level, delivering powerful insights from top voices in food, agriculture and beyond. The podcast offers immediate, actionable advice from the top leaders in food and ag, with guests who break down the skills that set them apart in the real world. Join the live webinars to bring leadership to life, with candid conversations, live Q&A and behind-the-scenes stories from C-suite executives. Together, these virtual experiences are designed to meet you where you are and help you lead with purpose, confidence and clarity.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

Leadership is not about doing it alone. It is about showing up, building trust, solving the right problems and using your influence to help others succeed.

Devin Fuhrman, Chief Agriculture and Sponsor Relations Officer at Nationwide, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast for an honest conversation about servant leadership, building meaningful partnerships and investing in the future of agriculture. With more than 25 years of experience in agriculture, insurance and industry relations, Devin shares how his farm roots, youth experiences and career at Nationwide have shaped the way he leads.

Devin gets real about:

• Strong Partnerships: building on shared values, trust and mutual benefit
• Servant Leadership: shaping your career and strengthening your community
• Balancing High Performance: humility, collaboration and a “healthy dependence on others” matter more than ever

This episode is a reminder that agriculture’s strength has always come from people working together and the future will require leaders who are willing to do the same.

Want to hear more from Devin? Check out his blog here!

Connect with Devin

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow the Nationwide on LinkedIn
• Follow the Nationwide on Instagram
• Follow the Nationwide on Facebook
• Visit their website

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Series

The Cultivating Leaders Series is the go-to resource for anyone ready to take their leadership to the next level, delivering powerful insights from top voices in food, agriculture and beyond. The podcast offers immediate, actionable advice from the top leaders in food and ag, with guests who break down the skills that set them apart in the real world. Join the live webinars to bring leadership to life, with candid conversations, live Q&A and behind-the-scenes stories from C-suite executives. Together, these virtual experiences are designed to meet you where you are and help you lead with purpose, confidence and clarity.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

Big careers are rarely built in straight lines. They are built through risks, pivots and the willingness to figure things out along the way.

Marji Guyler-Alaniz, Chief Operating Officer at AgriSompo North America, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast for a candid conversation about career pivots, identity shifts and leading through change. Marji shares how her Iowa roots and passion for storytelling led her to build FarmHer and the identity shift as she navigated back to a corporate position.

Marji gets real about:

• Just one thing: The power of taking the first step when a big dream feels overwhelming
• Navigating the identity shift: Knowing when to walk away and honoring the career changes
• Building confidence: Why networks, curiosity and courage matter more than having every answer

If you are facing a big transition or wondering whether you are ready for the next opportunity, Marji’s story is a reminder that you do not have to know everything before you begin. You just have to be willing to take the next step in front of you.

Want to hear more from Marji? Check out her blog here!

Connect with Marji

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow AgriSompo on LinkedIn
• Follow AgriSompo Instagram
• Follow AgriSompo on Facebook
• Visit their website

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Series

The Cultivating Leaders Series is the go-to resource for anyone ready to take their leadership to the next level, delivering powerful insights from top voices in food, agriculture and beyond. The podcast offers immediate, actionable advice from the top leaders in food and ag, with guests who break down the skills that set them apart in the real world. Join the live webinars to bring leadership to life, with candid conversations, live Q&A and behind-the-scenes stories from C-suite executives. Together, these virtual experiences are designed to meet you where you are and help you lead with purpose, confidence and clarity.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

What if the best leaders aren’t the ones with all the answers, but the ones asking better questions?

Scott Kay, Vice President of U.S. Crop at BASF, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to talk about developing people, building high-performing teams and staying ready for change in a rapidly evolving agriculture industry. Scott brings a grounded, people-first perspective on leadership, career growth and mentorship.

Scott gets real about:

• Raise your hand: volunteering can shape your leadership journey
• Lateral career moves: building the breadth and depth needed for long-term success
• Strong leadership: the power of asking thoughtful questions, accepting honest feedback and learning through failure

He reminds us that growth happens when leaders create space for others, redirect the spotlight to the right people, ask better questions and stay open to change.

Want to hear more from Scott? Check out her blog here!

Connect with Scott

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow BASF on LinkedIn
• Follow BASF Instagram
• Follow BASF on Facebook
• Visit their website

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Series

The Cultivating Leaders Series is the go-to resource for anyone ready to take their leadership to the next level, delivering powerful insights from top voices in food, agriculture and beyond. The podcast offers immediate, actionable advice from the top leaders in food and ag, with guests who break down the skills that set them apart in the real world. Join the live webinars to bring leadership to life, with candid conversations, live Q&A and behind-the-scenes stories from C-suite executives. Together, these virtual experiences are designed to meet you where you are and help you lead with purpose, confidence and clarity.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

You don’t need to have it all figured out to be a great leader.

Julie Sexton, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Land O’Lakes, joins the Cultivating Leaders podcast to talk about what leadership really looks like when you stay curious, get comfortable with ambiguity, broaden your perspective and trust the people around you. She reminds listeners that leadership is not about knowing everything. It is about asking better questions, developing others and having the courage to keep moving forward when the next step is not perfectly clear.

Julie opens up about:

• Enterprise-level leadership: broaden your experience, stay curious and get comfortable with ambiguity
• Understand your commitments: the importance of knowing your ability, aspiration and commitment and shifting in different seasons of life
• Coaching vs Telling: asking better questions to help teams think through the work

Julie offers honest, grounded advice on navigating career growth, stepping into discomfort and learning to lead without pretending to know everything.

Want to hear more from Julie? Check out her blog here!

Connect with Julie

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow Land O’Lakes on LinkedIn
• Follow Land O’Lakes on Instagram
• Follow Land O’Lakes on Facebook
• Visit their website

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Series

The Cultivating Leaders Series is the go-to resource for anyone ready to take their leadership to the next level, delivering powerful insights from top voices in food, agriculture and beyond. The podcast offers immediate, actionable advice from the top leaders in food and ag, with guests who break down the skills that set them apart in the real world. Join the live webinars to bring leadership to life, with candid conversations, live Q&A and behind-the-scenes stories from C-suite executives. Together, these virtual experiences are designed to meet you where you are and help you lead with purpose, confidence and clarity.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

Season 3 of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast is LIVE. 🎙️

We’re bringing you real conversations with top leaders across food and agriculture about the practical skills, mindsets and career moments that shape how we lead today.

You’ll hear from leaders like Julie Sexton, Scott Kay and Marji Guyler-Alaniz on what it takes to develop people, build stronger teams, navigate change and prepare for what’s next in agriculture.

Whether you’re leading a team, stepping into a new opportunity, questioning your career path or simply ready to grow faster, this season was made for you.

The Cultivating Leaders Podcast — where leaders grow. 🌱

Some leaders build careers. Others build legacies. And when you work inside one of the most trusted brands in agriculture, every decision carries the weight of both.

Jonathan Chase, Vice President of the Turf & Utility Business Unit at John Deere, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to explore what it really takes to lead with curiosity, integrity and deep respect for the people you serve. Serving in many business units, Jon shares how an unconventional, curiosity-driven career path shaped his leadership philosophy and why building trust with customers and teams matters more than climbing the next rung on the ladder.

Jon dives into:

• Building a career: navigating a career like a pyramid over a ladder and why broad experiences matter more than fast promotions
• Balancing legacy & innovation: honoring John Deere’s 188-year history while embracing technology, data and AI
• Delegating decision-making: empowering teams from the bottom up, and resisting the urge to stay in the weeds

Jon reminds us, leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking better questions, listening closely, and creating environments where people can do their best work.

Connect with Jon

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Connect with John Deere on LinkedIn
• Follow John Deere on Instagram
• Visit their website

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond.  Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

Real leaders shine when fear creeps in, communication breaks down and chaos starts driving decisions.

Cheryl Mitchell, leadership strategist and speaker, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to unpack what it really takes to lead through uncertainty — especially in food and agriculture. From multigenerational farm families to fast-moving organizations, Cheryl shares how leaders can slow down, listen differently and choose clarity when the noise gets loud. Drawing on decades of experience and her roots as a dairy farmer’s daughter, she offers practical insight for leading people through fear, change, and deeply personal stakes.

Cheryl gets real about:

• Clarity over chaos: why pausing, getting quiet and owning your mindset is a leadership advantage
• Bridging generational divides: how to translate communication across age, experience, and perspective without assumptions
• Leading yourself first: why growth alone has limits — and how reflection, coaching, and curiosity deepen leadership impact

This episode will challenge you to rethink how you respond under pressure and create space for silence.

Want to hear more from Cheryl? Check out her blog here!

Connect with Cheryl

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Visit her speaking website
• Visit her farm legacy website

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond.  Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!