Our speakers are industry leaders, advocates, trailblazers and innovators!
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!
Siobhan Chinnery
Resilience Advocate & Transformation Expert, Bee Grateful Management, Calgary, AB
Workshop:
Workshop Title • Role vs. Soul: Staying Grounded Through Every Shift
This session is a practical guide to maintaining your edge when you lose your footing. We will explore the often overlooked grief that comes with career loss or transition when identity, belonging and purpose suddenly shift. It’s about finding the strength to rebuild with confidence and rediscover who you are beyond the title.
Plenary
Presentation Title • Bloom Through the Dirt™
Bloom Through the Dirt™ shows how adversity can be our greatest fertilizer for growth. In this session, learn how to cultivate resilience, nurture connection, and rise stronger than before.
Siobhan Chinnery is an executive-turned-speaker, educator, and leadership coach whose mission is to help people grow through what they go through. After a 30-year career leading supply chain and transformation teams for some of Canada’s largest companies, Siobhan now shares her signature framework, Bloom Through the Dirt™, to show that challenge isn’t something to survive but it’s the soil where growth begins.
Known for her authentic storytelling and relatable humor, Siobhan draws from both professional and deeply personal experiences, including navigating loss, career reinvention, and life’s toughest transitions to help others find strength, clarity, and purpose through change. Her message resonates across industries and generations, inspiring audiences to build habits of self-care, supportive connection, and a growth mindset.
As an adjunct instructor, mentor, and advocate for women in leadership, Siobhan believes resilience isn’t built in the easy seasons but in how we show up during the hard ones. She brings this belief to every stage, classroom, and boardroom, helping people create the conditions where people and performance can truly thrive. Based in Calgary, Siobhan continues to explore new peaks both figuratively and literally, from hiking to developing the next evolution of her leadership programs, all guided by one core belief: with the right roots, we can all Bloom Through the Dirt.
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!
Lesley Hawkins
Co-Founder, Marsley Canada, Newmarket, ON
Plenary
Presentation Title • The Courage to Define and Own Your Worth
Lesley Hawkins spent 30 years leading teams for iconic brands including adidas, Reebok, TaylorMade, Titleist, and FootJoy, rising to VP Retail at adidas Canada where she led over 1,200 associates through post-pandemic recovery. For most of that career, she was one of the only women in the room, and she learned the hard way that fitting in and standing out require very different kinds of courage. Today, as a keynote speaker, leadership developer, and host of The Lesley Hawkins Podcast, she brings that experience into rooms where women are ready to stop shrinking and start leading on their own terms. Her straight talk, personal stories, and practical frameworks have earned her a reputation for leaving audiences with tools they actually use.
Workshop Speaker
Workshop Title •The Leadership Mirror
Lori Kinnee
Founder, RancHer by Lori / Ten Bar Cattle Company Ltd., Fairview, AB
Plenary
Presentation Title • Sunshine. Soil. Soul.
Lori Kinnee is a fourth-generation rancher, mentor, and speaker from northern Alberta who brings both grit and grace to her message. With a background in agriculture, accounting, and lived experience on the land, Lori helps women reconnect to themselves—through ritual, resilience, and leadership from within. She is the founder of RancHer by Lori , a mentorship space created to support women who live, love, earn, or learn on the land. Her story is one of burnout, awakening, and a return to self-worth—and she shares it with disarming honesty, compassion, and power.
Nelly Elinam Kurd-Marckay
Quality and Food Safety Manager, West Africa, Bunge, Greater Accra, Ghana
Plenary
Presentation title • Bounce Back with a Smile: Joyful Resilience in a Demanding World
Bounce Back with a Smile” explores how joy, humour, and small wins can transform resilience from a heavy burden into a source of energy and connection. Through inspiring stories, including women farmers in Ghana and interactive moments, it shows how thriving without burnout is possible when we choose to lead with laughter and lightness.
Nelly Elinam Kurd-Marckay is an award-winning quality and food safety leader with over a decade of experience across the food manufacturing and agri-food sectors in West Africa. She currently serves as Quality and Food Safety Manager, West Africa at Bunge, where she leads regional quality systems, ensures compliance with global food safety standards, and drives continuous improvement across complex, multi-country operations.
In recognition of her leadership, operational excellence, and people-focused approach, Nelly was named Manager of the Year 2025 at Bunge (West Africa). Her work spans food safety systems, certification, and sustainability initiatives, including FSSC 22000, GMP+, Halal, Kosher and ISCC EU with a strong focus on building practical, culturally relevant quality cultures rather than compliance alone.
Beyond her corporate role, Nelly is deeply committed to women’s empowerment and inclusive economic development. She previously served as President of Women of Bunge – West Africa, leading initiatives focused on mentorship, professional development, and creating pathways for women into leadership roles within the agri-food value chain. She is also an alumna of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a program organized by the U.S. Embassy, where she honed her skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, and scaling women-led ventures.
Nelly is the founder of NyCa Pro Beauty, an ethical, Ghana-based beauty brand that works closely with women-led shea cooperatives in Northern Ghana. In 2025, NyCa Pro Beauty was recognized as Indigenous Brand of the Year, highlighting its commitment to fair trade, sustainability, and community impact. She holds an MSc in Food Quality Management and a BSc in Biological Sciences from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Passionate about quality, leadership, and advancing women across agriculture and food systems, Nelly brings a grounded African perspective to global conversations on sustainability, food safety, and inclusive growth.
Lisa Pallister
Pallister Farms Livestock Ltd., Dundalk, ON
Plenary
Presentation Title • The Myth of Balance: Leadership, Priorities & Women In Agriculture
Lisa is a 6th-generation farmer from Grey County whose life and leadership are deeply rooted in agriculture, family and hard work. Alongside her family, they operate a beef feedlot and crop farm while continuing a legacy built over generations through dedication, resilience and a passion for the farming lifestyle. Raised with strong agricultural values, Lisa learned early the importance of perseverance, responsibility and showing up every day with purpose. As a Feedlot Director for Beef Farmers of Ontario, Lisa is a passionate advocate for the beef industry and for women in agriculture. She believes leadership is less about achieving perfect balance and more about understanding priorities, taking opportunities before feeling fully ready and leading with authenticity. Lisa has 3 boys who are actively involved in the family farm and share a genuine love for the farming lifestyle, the work ethic it teaches, and the goals that come with building something meaningful through agriculture. Watching them develop a passion for farming and an appreciation for the values it represents is one of her greatest motivations and proudest accomplishments. To Lisa, success is defined by family, hard work, integrity, and building a lasting legacy for future generations.
Rebecca Posthumus
In the Know Program Coordinator, Agriculture Wellness Ontario, Toronto, ON
Workshop Speaker
Workshop Title • Preparing for Uncertainty in Agriculture
Farming and agriculture are met with many unpredictable events, causing uncertainty and often lasting impacts due to these uncertainties. Utilizing practical approaches within agriculture, this workshop provides an informed explanation of uncertainties that farmers experience, while normalizing the importance of addressing difficulty that is present during and following unpredictable events, with the goal of using strategies to be better prepared.
Rebecca is the Program Coordinator for In the Know with Agriculture Wellness Ontario (AgWO) at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Ontario Division. Rebecca is a University of Guelph grad having her B.A. Sc, Majoring in Child, Youth and Family Development. She also holds her Development Service Worker and Social Service Worker diplomas from Loyalist College. She grew up surrounded by agriculture, her family owns and operates JP Dairy Systems, which services, sells and installs dairy systems and other farm equipment. Rebecca grew up in the 4-H program and is currently a 4-H Volunteer in Hastings County. Rebecca has previously worked in front line human services. She is excited to be able to support the agricultural community utilizing her passion for mental health literacy.
Cami Ryan
Senior Business Partner, Industry Affairs & Sustainability, Bayer CropScience Canada Inc., Calgary, AB
Plenary
Presentation Title • A Girl Least Likely: An unexpected journey through agriculture
A Girl Least Likely: An unexpected journey through agriculture
In A Girl Least Likely, Cami Ryan shares her unlikely path from small-town Saskatchewan, through grief, self-doubt, reinvention, and single parenthood, into a career at the heart of agricultural innovation. Her story is a candid and hopeful reminder that our personal lives and professional paths are deeply intertwined, and that even the most unexpected detours can lead to purpose, impact, and belonging.
Camille “Cami” Ryan is a prairie-born social scientist, strategist, and storyteller who works where agriculture, innovation, sustainability, and public trust collide.
As Senior Business Partner for Industry Affairs and Sustainability with Bayer Crop Science Canada, Cami brings a PhD, a sharp wit, and a deep understanding of how people think about food and farming. Her work focuses on risk communication, misinformation, and building better conversations around agriculture.
A sought-after speaker and unapologetic advocate for ag, Cami is known for connecting people, challenging tired narratives, and helping agriculture find its voice.
Carol Schulte
The Brave Initiative, Oakville, ON,
Plenary
Presentation Title • Speak up, Stand out: Master the Art of Influence and Impact.
Communication isn’t just another skill—it’s your superpower. In this high-energy, interactive session, you’ll learn practical strategies to communicate with confidence, navigate difficult conversations, and amplify your presence so you can speak up, stand out, and make the impact you are here to make.
Carol Schulte is a global keynote speaker, author, executive coach, and founder of The Brave Initiative. Over the past decade, she’s worked with Fortune 500 companies, international associations, and high performers to empower courageous leadership, ignite bold action, and unleash full potential—both at work and in life.
Through her signature presentations, Carol blends powerful storytelling, lived experience, and practical strategies to spark not just inspiration, but real transformation. Whether she’s guiding brave conversations in boardrooms, co-facilitating a team up Mt. Kilimanjaro, or empowering teams to step up and speak out, her message is clear: the bravest thing you can do is be brave enough to be you.
With a BFA in Theatre Performance, an MA in Communication, and postgraduate certifications in coaching and mentoring, Carol brings a rare mix of stage presence, academic insight, and lived experience that makes her message real, relatable, and resonant.
She’s the author of The Brave Healing Journal, and the creator of both #50DaysToBrave and the Find Your Brave experience. A dedicated mental health advocate, she’s especially passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces that empower women—and all individuals—to show up fully, lead with courage, and get into action—one small brave step at a time. Her work helps leaders and teams shift from hesitation to action, from self-doubt to self-leadership, and from potential to performance.
Having lived and worked in 11 countries—including an ashram in India and a van in New Zealand, shaved her head for cancer research—even bungee jumped in her birthday suit—Carol brings a grounded, global perspective to every room.
She wholeheartedly believes that bravery isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you choose. When she’s not speaking or coaching, you’ll find her teaching fitness classes, volunteering at women’s shelters, or unapologetically crushing her carpool karaoke game.
Workshop Speaker
Workshop Title •Beyond Work-Life Balance: How To Win At Work And In Life, Without Pulling Out Your Hair!
Does work-life balance even exist? In this bold and refreshing session, you’ll discover practical strategies to manage stress, set brave boundaries, and protect your well-being — so you can reclaim your energy and lead your life on your terms.
Carol Schulte is a global keynote speaker, author, executive coach, and founder of The Brave Initiative. Over the past decade, she’s worked with Fortune 500 companies, international associations, and high performers to empower courageous leadership, ignite bold action, and unleash full potential—both at work and in life.
Through her signature presentations, Carol blends powerful storytelling, lived experience, and practical strategies to spark not just inspiration, but real transformation. Whether she’s guiding brave conversations in boardrooms, co-facilitating a team up Mt. Kilimanjaro, or empowering teams to step up and speak out, her message is clear: the bravest thing you can do is be brave enough to be you.
With a BFA in Theatre Performance, an MA in Communication, and postgraduate certifications in coaching and mentoring, Carol brings a rare mix of stage presence, academic insight, and lived experience that makes her message real, relatable, and resonant.
She’s the author of The Brave Healing Journal, and the creator of both #50DaysToBrave and the Find Your Brave experience. A dedicated mental health advocate, she’s especially passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces that empower women—and all individuals—to show up fully, lead with courage, and get into action—one small brave step at a time. Her work helps leaders and teams shift from hesitation to action, from self-doubt to self-leadership, and from potential to performance.
Having lived and worked in 11 countries—including an ashram in India and a van in New Zealand, shaved her head for cancer research—even bungee jumped in her birthday suit—Carol brings a grounded, global perspective to every room.
She wholeheartedly believes that bravery isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you choose. When she’s not speaking or coaching, you’ll find her teaching fitness classes, volunteering at women’s shelters, or unapologetically crushing her carpool karaoke game.
Trish Tutton
Mindfulness Teacher and Speaker, Canmore, AB
Workshop Speaker
Workshop Title • Rooted in Resilience: How to cultivate optimism (even during tough seasons)
In day to day business – managing land and people to navigating markets and changing weather – it’s easy to focus on what’s NOT working because the challenges don’t take time OFF. But research shows that when we train our brain to focus on what’s good – amidst the hard – our intelligence, creativity and energy levels rise. It’s not about thinking positive – it’s about building the mindset and habits to help us face reality with resilience and resourcefulness.
Plenary Speaker
Presentation Title • Harvesting a mindset to thrive: simple strategies for long-lasting success in the agriculture
Soil is the foundation underneath it all. You might not see it day to day- but it determines EVERYTHING: yields, water retention, and long-term success. No matter how good the seed is or how hard you work, depleted soil limits growth. A depleted MINDSET is the same. When your mindset is supported, just like the soil, everything grows with less effort (your career, business, skills, attitude AND resilience to the challenges you face).
Trish Tutton spent years working in cultures where stress and burnout were seemingly the only way to success. After suffering a shocking loss, she realized: stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate our lives. Trish has spent over 15 years studying with world class teachers, practicing mindfulness and learning about the science of well-being. As a speaker and mindfulness teacher, Trish has taught the skills to become UNSHAKABLE and THRIVE amidst change and challenge to over 15,000 people across North America. She is passionate about helping folks become more resilient and less stressed with simple but impactful mindfulness techniques. You can find her as a teacher on the #1 free meditation app in the world, Insight Timer, and she is the author of the Mindful Mornings Journal.
Lauren Van Ewyk
CEO, National Farmer Mental Health Alliance Inc., Courtright, ON
Sunday Special Session
Presentation Title •Join Lauren Van Ewyk for an in-depth session of The Rural Watch
You have what it takes to make a difference in the wellness of those around you. Building communication skills, tackling rough conversations and supporting those you care about are among the wisest investments you will ever make. However, we must do it from a compassionate lens.
Monday workshop:
Monday 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!
Plenary Speaker
Presentation Title • Standing Your Ground: Navigating Conflict with Confidence
Women are grounded in purpose and passion, and yet can lack confidence in stepping into confrontation. Join Lauren as we learn respectful, grounded, and effective ways to give ourselves permission to shine!
Lauren Van Ewyk is an engaging speaker, 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.
Lauren and her husband raise sheep in southwestern Ontario and are the owners of Cedarview Farm Store and Bakery. 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, and owner of Wellspring Counselling Services, Lauren is passionate about equipping producers to lead well, dream big, and strategically place themselves in line for success.