Imagine how your life could be enhanced with a little inspiration, a bit of pertinent information, a few tips on how to handle issues and having the opportunity to network and share stories with like-minded women!
Doreen Ashton Wagner
Founder/Executive Director, Business Sisters | Consœurs en Affaires, Alexandria, ON
Workshop Speaker
Workshop title • Collaboration Over Rivalry: Building Bold Alliances in Business
A discussion about how collaboration creates resilience. Even when women collaborate across perceived competition lines, they build stronger networks and greater visibility—especially important in underrepresented industries.
Doreen Ashton Wagner is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for creating business ecosystems where collaboration trumps competition. Over the past two decades, she has founded and grown multiple ventures, each built on the belief that women succeed faster and stronger when they support each other.
Her latest initiative, Business Sisters, is a vibrant community designed to connect women entrepreneurs—especially in rural and small-town Canada—through authentic conversations, resource sharing, and collaborative opportunities. Doreen champions the concept of co-opetition, proving that even competitors can create value together without sacrificing individuality or success.
With a background in strategic business development and event planning, Doreen brings both practical experience and big-picture thinking to the table. Whether she’s mentoring a startup founder, hosting a mastermind, or leading a session like this one, she shows up with clarity, candor, and a commitment to lifting others as she climbs.
Doreen lives in eastern Ontario and believes the best conversations happen over coffee—or better yet, breakfast.
Beverly Beuermann-King
Mental Health and Resiliency Expert, R ‘n’ B Consulting Corp – Work Smart Live Smart, Little Britain, ON
Plenary Speaker
Presentation title • Rooted in Respect: Strategies to End Gossip and Grow Trust
We’ve all seen how fast gossip can spread—and how much damage it can do to trust and teamwork. In this down-to-earth session, we’ll talk about why gossip happens, how to stop it in its tracks, and what strong, respectful leadership looks like.
Workshop Speaker
Workshop title • 7 Ways To Beat Burnout: Without Quitting Your Job
Are you feeling constantly hustling, overwhelmed, exhausted, yet unsure how to break the cycle, without sacrificing your career? Burnout doesn’t just zap your energy—it’s like carrying an ever-growing backpack of stress that weighs you down and makes every step harder. Constant pressure can lead to mental exhaustion, health challenges, and strained relationships—but dropping everything isn’t the only solution.
Workshop Speaker
Session title • Stop Letting That Difficult Person Ruin Your Day: Effectively Handle Negative and Difficult People For Better Productivity and Less Drama
Are you constantly drained by difficult individuals in your workplace? Do challenging personalities derail your day, leaving you frustrated and overwhelmed? It’s time to take action and reclaim your energy and productivity.
With an impressive track record spanning over 25 years, Beverly has been guiding individuals and organizations toward mastering their reactions to stress, cultivating resilience, and achieving thriving, successful lives through her innovative S-O-S Principle™.
As the driving force behind WorkSmartLiveSmart.com since 1995, Beverly has been at the forefront of transforming teams across diverse industries, including healthcare, education, government agencies, finance, and not-for-profit sectors, from overwhelmed to resilient powerhouses. Her presentations, rooted in extensive research and drawing from her background in psychology, sociology, management, and adult education, are both enlightening and inspirational, offering audiences the precise strategies needed to improve mental health, tackle workplace challenges, and amplify overall life satisfaction.
Beverly’s influence extends far beyond her captivating speaking engagements. She is a prolific author, esteemed podcaster, and a sought-after media and brand spokesperson, gracing over 500 television and radio shows. Recognized as one of the esteemed Certified Speaking Professionals, a distinction held by less than 70 Canadians, she has also made history as the inaugural Certified Virtual Presenter through eSpeakers and Power Women WorldWide. And currently, Beverly is the National President of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. Prepare to be captivated as Beverly empowers you to conquer stress, cultivate resilience, and unlock the secrets to a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Celestine Djane
Procurement Specialist, Bunge, Accra, Ghana
Plenary Speaker
Presentation title • Bridging Tradition and Innovation: How Women Are Shaping the Future of Agriculture in Ghana
This presentation explores how Ghanaian women in agriculture are creatively blending traditional knowledge with modern innovations to lead transformative change across farming, processing, and entrepreneurship. It also highlights how mental health resilience plays a vital role in enabling these women to adapt, lead, and thrive in a changing agricultural landscape.
Celestine’s presentation portion will highlight the pivotal role of Ghanaian women in shaping the future of agriculture, driving both economic growth and sustainable practices. We’ll delve into their entrepreneurial spirit, resilience strategies, and contributions to innovative agricultural solutions.
Reverend Celestine Djane is uniquely positioned to address the “Bridging Tradition and Innovation: How Women are Shaping the Future of Agriculture in Ghana” topic.
She brings nearly two decades of practical experience in procurement and supply chain management within the agriculture, financial and media services sectors. This makes her an authority on optimizing processes and empowering communities within this vital industry.
Rev. Djane’s expertise is underscored by her credentials as a fully Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS UK) and the youngest Astute Fellow of the Ghana Institute of Procurement & Supply (GIPS Ghana).
Her academic foundation includes a Master’s in Supply Chain Management, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Laws. She also holds certifications in leadership and strategic management, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set.
Beyond her professional achievements, Rev. Djane is deeply committed to women’s empowerment. She serves as an Executive Board Member of GIPS, Board Chair for the Empowered Girl Project (which continues to mentor over 500 girls in leadership and entrepreneurship)
She is Founding President of The Pan Africa Women in Procurement and Supply Network, and Founder of Legacy Leadership Africa Institute and a Published Author.
Through her work with the Empowered Girl Project, Rev. Djane directly impacts the lives of African women and girls, fostering leadership skills and economic independence. These principles are directly applicable to the conference theme, highlighting the importance of empowering women in agriculture.
Rev. Djane’s unique blend of spiritual leadership, supply chain acumen, and passion for women’s advancement provides a compelling perspective on how Ghanaian women are leveraging both traditional wisdom and innovative strategies to revolutionize agriculture. She will offer practical insights, inspirational stories, and actionable takeaways that conference attendees can immediately implement to support women in agriculture and drive sustainable change, connecting her global supply chain insights to local Ghanaian realities.
For speaking engagements, mentorship, or collaborations aimed at empowering women in agriculture, optimizing supply chains in developing regions, or fostering leadership development, please contact Reverend Celestine Djane at celestine.djane@bunge.com or +233243479704
Nelly Elinam Kurd-Marckay
Quality and Food Safety Manager, Bunge – West Africa, Greater Accra, Ghana
Plenary Speaker
Presentation title • Bridging Tradition and Innovation: How Women Are Shaping the Future of Agriculture in Ghana
This presentation explores how Ghanaian women in agriculture are creatively blending traditional knowledge with modern innovations to lead transformative change across farming, processing, and entrepreneurship. It also highlights how mental health resilience plays a vital role in enabling these women to adapt, lead, and thrive in a changing agricultural landscape.
Nelly Elinam Kurd-Marckay is a seasoned quality professional with over a decade of experience in the food manufacturing industry. At Bunge, she oversees quality and food safety operations across West Africa, ensuring compliance with global standards, implementing robust quality systems and driving continuous improvement. Her expertise spans food safety, quality control and assurance, audits, and risk management-all rooted in her ability to thrive in dynamic, multicultural environments.
Beyond her professional role, Nelly is the President of Women of Bunge – West Africa, where she leads initiatives that promote professional networking, entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment within the organization. Deeply passioate about mentorship, she is committed to creating platforms that enable women to thrive in both corporate leadership and enterpreneurial ventures. Her commitment to fostering a supportive environment is evident through her participation in certification and sustainability projects, including achieving GMP+,Halal, Kosher, and International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC EU) for her organization.
An ambitious entrepreneur, Nelly is the founder of NyCa Pro Beauty, an ethical beauty brand that supports shea cooperatives in Northern Ghana through fair trade and sustainable practices. She has also contributed as a consultant, helping companies like Pure and Just Foods and Jenz Consulting Limited achieve critical ISO Certifications.
Nelly holds an MSc in Food Quality Management and a BSc in Biological Sciences from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, along with Multiple Diplomas in Business and Finance. Fluent in English and a beginner in French, she is a versatile communicator whose passion for quality and empowerment makes her a remarkable leader and an inspiration across the global agricultural and food industry.
Dianne Finstad
Moderator/Program Host, Red Deer County, AB
Master of Ceremonies
Dianne Finstad used her ranch roots to build what’s become a long communications career in television, radio and writing, specializing in agriculture and rodeo coverage. She’s based in the Red Deer area. Along with MC’ing events and conferences, Dianne also does some announcing at places like the Ponoka and Calgary Stampede’s, as well as reporting from the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Always, she delights in interviewing people and sharing their stories. Dianne enjoys activities like golf and skiing, keeping the faith at church, and is proud to have been a part of Advancing Women in Agriculture since almost right from its start!
Anne Miner
The Dunvegan Group/Founder of Women with GRIT, Woodstock, ON
Plenary Speaker
Presentation title • GRIT: What is it? Why do we need it? Who has it? How to get it?
GRIT is a term rarely applied to women and yet without it, little can be accomplished. Angela Duckworth defines GRIT as ‘passion and perseverance in pursuit of a long-term goal(s); GRIT is not a trait, it is not something you are born with, it is a skill that can be learned and applied. Learn about GRIT and how it can support your success in pursuit of long-term goals.
Anne Miner is an International Speaker, Best-Selling Author, and Business Owner. She’s a confident leader. A creative genius. And a cool and collected woman of style and charisma. Her proven ability to bring calm to chaos, success to failures, and solutions to problems weave together seamlessly to define her executive charm.
As an author and sought-after speaker, Anne’s written and spoken word encom¬passes her soothing and positive personality and youthful wit, revealing an infectious brand of go-getter wisdom for achieving personal success. She has successfully empowered many “to go over, under, around, or through the obstacles on any path… and to be courageous in pursuing their dreams.”
Anne is the President and Founder of The Dunvegan Group, Ltd. a company specializing in business retention; she is an Executive Coach and Mentor as well as teaching Leadership in the Business School at Conestoga College.
Among Anne’s awards are the Alumni Medal of Achievement from the University of Guelph and the Luminary Award from the International Women’s Forum of Canada.
Anne is Past President of Oxford Women in Networking (OWIN) and Past President of the Toronto Chapter of the International Women’s Forum Canada.
Mariah Moen
Director of Agriculture – Uniking Canada, Saskatoon, SK
Plenary Speaker
Presentation title • How to Succeed in Male Dominated Spaces
Mariah will share her experiences and perspectives on empowering women to advocate for themselves in agriculture, from sales and business to everyday life.
Mariah Moen was raised on a fifth-generation family farm and ranch in Elrose, Saskatchewan, where she developed a lifelong passion for agriculture. As one of two daughters carrying on the family legacy, she worked full-time alongside her father and grandfather, gaining hands-on experience in both cattle and grain production—an industry she remains actively involved in today through beef production.
Her education in Agribusiness and Kinesiology from the University of Saskatchewan laid the foundation for a dynamic career spanning multiple sectors of agriculture, including agronomy, crop inputs, grain equipment, and industrial sales. As the Director of Agriculture for Uniking Canada, Mariah continues to drive innovation and growth in the industry. Beyond her professional achievements, she is an active member of the rodeo community and a dedicated fitness enthusiast. Passionate about mentorship and leadership, Mariah is committed to empowering women in agriculture and other traditionally male-dominated industries, equipping them with the tools and confidence to advocate for themselves and excel in their careers.
Sydney Mohr
Digital Communications & Events Specialist, FoodGrads, Waterloo, ON
Workshop Speaker
Workshop title • Level Up Your Connections: Tips to Networking
“Level Up Your Connections: Tips to Networking” explores why networking is essential for career growth and how to build meaningful professional relationships. This session covers practical strategies, digital tools like LinkedIn, and exercises to help you confidently connect and thrive in your industry.
Sydney Mohr works as the Marketing Communications & PR Specialist for FoodGrads. She graduated from the Bachelor of Public Relations program at Conestoga College in 2023. Sydney is passionate about creating meaningful connections through digital media and event management. Her dedication to fostering growth within the agricultural and food industries drives her to continually innovate and inspire others in the field.
Ashley Nicholls
Founder, DiSC Facilitator, REACH Agriculture Strategies, Foothills, AB
Workshop Speaker
Workshop title • “Not That Gate, The Other Gate!” – Adapting Communication To Different Personality Styles in Agriculture
This sessions explores how personality styles influence the way we give, receive, and interpret instructions – especially in fast-paced or high-pressure settings. This session will help you recognize communication blind spots and build tools to connect more clearly and effectively with every member of your team.
I am originally from a small farming community in NSW, Australia and now reside in Foothills County. What started as a 3-month summer adventure to live out my cowboy dream turned into 14 years, a wife, a pony named Pineapple and multiple passports. I was not raised in an Ag family, but I was lucky enough to be around, and work with, several mixed farming operations.
I am a passionate advocate for Canadian Agriculture, driven by a deep appreciation for the vital role it plays in our environment and society. My company, REACH Agriculture Strategies, works to cultivate resilient workplace cultures, improve staff retention, and enhance hiring practices. With a progressive approach to leadership and a focus on effective communication, we take our customized programs to help producers get boots on the ground and keep them there.
Kristin J. Pronschinske
CEO, Owner & Founder, LookUp, LLC, River Falls, WI
Plenary Speaker
Presentation title • The Multigenerational Advantage: Communicate, Collaborate, and Lead with Impact
This presentation explores how high-performing leaders harness generational diversity to drive innovation, engagement, and results. Through strategic communication and inclusive leadership practices, I will talk about how to unlock the full potential of multigenerational teams.
Kristin Pronschinske grew up on a dairy farm in Western Wisconsin, where she was deeply involved in the family business. Starting at eight years old, she participated in dairy show rings, showcasing her Holsteins and judging competitions for 4-H and FFA. Kristin attended the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Communications with an Agricultural Emphasis, a Master of Science in Agricultural Education with an Extension option, and an MBA. She also earned a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, specializing in Training and Staff Development, from Colorado State University, where she was recognized as a Distinguished Scholar. Additionally, Kristin holds an International Advanced Leadership certification from the Stockholm School of Economics Executive Education, an International Keynote speaker, and a certified facilitator.
With a passion for people, training, coaching, and strategic business growth, Kristin has spent 20+ years in sales, developing new markets and managing sales teams. She has successfully executed corporate strategies and led international business initiatives, along with coaching and training sales teams and leaders across North America.
Driven by her strong commitment to talent development, Kristin founded LookUp, LLC where she is the CEO and Founder. The firm focuses on executive coaching and consulting, sales training and implementation, leadership development and communication strategies. Kristin also works with clients on professional development coaching.
Residing in River Falls, WI, Kristin is actively engaged in her community. She serves as the Executive Chair for the UW – River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Alumni Board, Vice President of the Board of Directors for Basics for Local Kids and coached the UW – River Falls collegiate sales team. In her free time, Kristin enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, skiing, snowshoeing, motorcycling, golfing, and staying active with her dairy genetics business.
Kim (Derrick) Rozdeba
Author, Rozdeba Brand & Company, Calgary, Alberta
Plenary Speaker
Presentation title • Branding Queens: The Five C’s of Building a Brand
This presentation delves into the branding successes of five visionary branding queens, showcasing how they built their legacies through the Five C’s: Commitment, Construct, Community, Content, and Consistency. It offers actionable insights and tools to create a brand that resonates with customers.
Kim Derrick Rozdeba is a distinguished branding expert with over thirty years of experience elevating Fortune 500 companies to global prominence. A visionary in the field, Kim has contributed to the success of some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Shell, Bayer, Toyota, and major Canadian corporations such as Telus, Petro-Canada, Canadian Airlines, and Moxie’s Restaurants.
Kim’s expertise spans various disciplines, including advertising, marketing, PR, social media, digital, and corporate communications—all vital tools he integrates to foster brand success across multiple industries. His engaging insights are featured globally, appearing on over 30 podcasts, where he captivates audiences with his profound branding wisdom.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Kim masterfully intertwines his roles as author, mentor, and adventurer, delivering impactful branding strategies that inspire and empower businesses to build formidable brands. His adventurous spirit has led him to exciting experiences, from exploring Europe on a $10-a-day budget as a teenager to leading Fortune 500 companies. Alongside these feats, Kim has carried the Olympic torch and indulges in culinary and wine pursuits. Additionally, he is an avid snowboarder, blogger, and committed mentor to young professionals. Kim’s first book, Branding Queens: Discover Branding Secrets from Twenty Incredible Women Who Built Global Brand Dynasties, received widespread acclaim for introducing the Five C’s of branding. His latest work, LOYALNOMICS™: The Power of Branding, delves deep into the transformative impact of brand loyalty through the Five C’s.
Carole Spicer
Founder and Owner, Spicer Facilitation, Pasadena, Newfoundland and Labrador
Plenary Speaker
Presentation title • Rooted in Resilience: A Journey of Grit, Growth, and Mental Wellness
In this powerful and personal talk, Carole shares her journey to mental wellness, highlighting the challenges and triumphs that shaped her path. She explores the characteristics of grit and offers practical strategies for building resilience, inspiring others to lead with strength, authenticity, and self-awareness.
Workshop Speaker
Workshop title • Excellence in Customer Service: Building a Client-Centered Approach
This workshop explores the core principles of client-centered service, its key characteristics, and how to cultivate a service culture rooted in dignity, fairness, and respect. Whether you’re in frontline service, management, or support roles, this workshop will equip you with the tools to elevate your service delivery and strengthen client satisfaction.
A seasoned professional specializing in facilitation and training services, Carole R. Spicer brings extensive experience across private, public, and community sectors. Carole has honed her expertise in creating dynamic and engaging learning environments.
As a certified master trainer, she excels in tailoring solutions to meet the unique needs of her clients at Spicer Facilitation, empowering individuals, governments, and organizations to achieve their goals collaboratively.
A natural storyteller, Carole draws upon her experiences to connect and build relationships, passionately supporting her family, heritage, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Residing in Pasadena, Newfoundland and Labrador with her husband Tim, and their cats Patches and Pepper, she serves as Chairperson of the Pasadena Heritage Society – NL Inc. and Secretary of the Pasadena Public Library Board. In her free time, Carole enjoys snowshoeing, reading, swimming, and researching her family tree. With a commitment to continuous growth and a genuine desire to make a positive impact, Carole R. Spicer leads Spicer Facilitation in facilitating success and fostering meaningful connections in all aspects of life.
Lauren Van Ewyk
CEO, RSW, National Farmer Mental Health Alliance, Courtright, ON
Plenary Speaker
Presentation title • Blending the Demands: Finding Balance between Work and Life
There is a constant demand to be there for everyone else who need. Setting boundaries, communication and practicing self-care ensure you are able to blend the most critical aspects into the life you desire.
Sunday Workshop Speaker
Workshop title • Boots on the Ground: Helping at the Next Level
What does helping someone really look like? This workshop is intended to give you the skills needed to have those tough conversations about mental health through an actions-based approach. Using case study, role-play and life application participants will tackle the barriers to mental wellness and find ways to support others who may be struggling.
Workshop Speaker
Workshop title • Trauma: Helping Others Transform the Hard Things in Life
Over 70% of women have experienced trauma at some point in their life. Trauma that is not transformed is trauma transferred. Join Lauren as we learn about trauma and how we can thrive despite it!
Lauren Van Ewyk is a sheep farmer, registered social worker, foster mom and agricultural mental health advocate. She has appeared in numerous radio, television and print articles concerning the issues of mental wellness and mental health in the agriculture sector. She is a PhD student at the University of Guelph in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD). As a founding member and CEO of the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance, Lauren is committed to partnering with professionals to become culturally informed in their care for rural members.