Learn from the Best – Our Speakers Inspire Action

Our speakers aren’t just experts – they’re industry leaders, passionate advocates, and bold innovators who are shaping the future of agriculture and food.

By attending their sessions, you’ll:

  • Gain insightful strategies and practical knowledge you can apply immediately
  • Hear real stories of challenges, successes, and lessons learned
  • Be inspired to push boundaries, innovate, and lead in your own career
  • Connect with thought leaders who are shaping industry trends and opportunities

Don’t just listen – learn, be inspired, and take your next step forward.

Siobhan Chinnery

Resilience Advocate & Transformation Expert, Bee Grateful Management, Calgary, AB

Plenary Speaker

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.

Workshop:

Workshop title • The Breakup You Didn’t Choose: Losing a Role, Not Yourself

The Breakup You Didn’t Choose explores 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.

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!

Jennifer Keable

Burnout Prevention & Sustainable Success Speaker, Strategist, Coach, JenniferKeable.com, Calgary, AB

Plenary Speaker

Presentation title • Worth Beyond the Work: Redefining Success for Long-Term Sustainability

When production and performance no longer tell the full story, it’s time to redefine success. This keynote empowers professionals to build a more sustainable version of success — one grounded in purpose and well-being.

Workshop Speaker

Workshop title • Breaking Free: Boundaries to Thrive Not Just Survive

Learn the three types of boundaries that define how you work, live, and lead — and the one that makes lasting success possible. Discover your unique boundary style and learn a practical four-step process to create boundaries that empower, connect, and sustain you.

Jennifer Keable isn’t your typical speaker — she’s a Burnout Prevention Strategist and Coach who brings a refreshing blend of energy, relatability, and thought-provoking insight to every stage and conversation. With a B.A. in Psychology and over 15 years of experience in high-pressure industries, Jennifer understands the reality of burnout firsthand — having lived through it twice — and, more importantly, what it takes to rebuild a life and career that thrive sustainably.

Today, she helps ambitious professionals and organizations shift from exhaustion to effectiveness, from overwhelm to clarity, and from hustle to sustainable success. Her signature framework has empowered 90% of her clients to earn promotions, restore balance, and elevate their health without sacrificing results.

Known for asking the questions others avoid, Jennifer creates transformative experiences where leaders and teams pause, reflect, and reset. Her approach leaves audiences thinking differently about performance, purpose, and well-being — equipping them with practical tools that drive lasting results.

Jennifer has partnered with industry leaders including ATB, Cargill, Nutrien, and Benevity, helping them strengthen leadership capacity, enhance engagement, and embed well-being as a strategic advantage. Whether she’s keynoting a conference or facilitating an intimate workshop, Jennifer’s work inspires professionals to not just succeed — but to sustain that success.

Lori Kinnee

Founder, RancHer by Lori / Ten Bar Cattle Company Ltd., Fairview, AB

Plenary Speaker

Presentation title • Sunshine. Soil. Soul

Presentation overview: When sunshine, soil and soul come together , success doesn’t burn you out – it makes you bloom.

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 Kurd-Marckay

Quality and Food Safety Manager, West Africa, Bunge

Plenary Speaker

Presentation title • She Leads, She Grows: Stories from Ghana.

Presentation overview: She Leads, She Grows: Stories from Ghana celebrates women who are shaping the future of agriculture through leadership and innovation. The presentation shares inspiring real-life stories and practical lessons on how women can grow farms, businesses, and communities.

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.

Kimberly Lyall

Kimberly Lyall Speaker & Consultant

Keynote Speaker

Presentation title • Leading from the EDGE

When life gets tough and you feel like you are losing yourself, a reset is needed. Kimberly’s EDGE framework provides a simple and practical tool to help you grow through tough times and find joy while doing it!

Workshop Speaker

Workshop title • Public Speaking 101: Tips for getting your Messages Heard

Does the thought of speaking in front of an audience make you want to run for the hills? Kimberly will share with you the tips and tricks you can use to feel confident, have your message heard, and have fun while doing it!

Crisis can either crush you or help to create the most powerful version of you. Kimberly Lyall has led through success, scandal, and near-collapse! While her experiences with winning and loss prove that anything can happen, and that life isn’t always fair, she’s discovered insights that help leaders cut through the noise, reignite their teams, and lead with heart!

For over 25 years Kimberly has worked as an award-winning speaker, consultant, and college instructor helping corporations, nonprofits, and governments through complex challenges. She’s the Past-President of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (Alberta), co-author of Trailblazer Secrets, a YWCA Woman of Distinction, a Governor General’s Award recipient, and a non-Indigenous Woman gifted the Blackfoot name Kómmonoi Saamiaki (Blue Paint Headdress Woman).

Anne Miner

President- The Dunvegan Group/ Founder of Women with GRIT

Plenary Speaker

Presentation title • GRIT: What is it? Why do we need it? Who has it? How to get it?

Presentation overview: 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 encom­passes 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: Empowering Women to Advocate for Themselves in Agriculture—From Sales and Business to Everyday Life

Presentation overview: Mariah will give you the tools to navigate the realities of being a woman in agriculture and balancing professionalism, family, mental health, and career and how to navigate uncomfortable situations.

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.

Debbie Thompson

President & CEO, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Plenary Speaker

Presentation title • Unleashing Your Potential for Influence and Impact 

Presentation overview: As organizations and individuals, we often put tremendous emphasis on technical skills. Although technical skills are critical to success, what we hear over and over is the value and importance of ‘power’ or, more commonly known, soft skills. 

Dr. Debbie Thompson joined Olds College of Agriculture and Technology in 2014. Since May 2025, she has served as the President and CEO. As Debbie navigates the ever evolving complexities of the academic and political landscape, she focuses on strategic planning, financial oversight, collaboration, and relationship-building. She firmly believes leadership is about a team and not solely an individual. With the launch of a new Strategic Plan: Deep Roots, Bold Futures, there is tremendous clarity in Olds College’s Priorities: Purposeful Leadership in Agriculture Education, Supporting our Students and Our People, and Strengthening Partnerships. 

Prior to her current role, Debbie has held the position of Vice President Academic, Vice President Academic & Student Experience, Vice President Student and Support Services and Dean of Animal Sciences and Horticulture at Olds College. Debbie is passionate about education and learning as is evidenced by over twenty years in the K-12 education system as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, vice-principal and principal. 

Debbie and her husband, Jeff, have been proud members of the Olds Community for over 25 years where they have lived and raised their three children. Debbie holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree through National University. In addition, Debbie holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Calgary and a Masters Degree from Royal Roads University. 

Trish Tutton

Mindfulness Teacher, Trish Tutton Speaker and Mindfulness Teacher, Canmore, AB

Plenary Speaker

Presentation title • Harvesting a mindset to thrive: simple strategies for long-lasting success in the agriculture option

Soil is the foundation underneath it all. You might not see it day to day- but it determines EVERYTHING: yields, water retention, disease resistance, 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).

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.

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.