MAND September Board Member Spotlight

Briefly tell us about your day-to-day work: I have the pleasure of supporting our member owners and their communities by managing our Land O’Lakes Foundation’s Member Driven Philanthropy Programs. I also support our education programs, such as various scholarships and college internship programs, specifically the Rooted in Tomorrow scholarship in partnership with MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences).

Tell us about things you do that you find particularly interesting or motivating: I enjoy helping students explore career opportunities that may not have originally been on their radar, such as the vast array of opportunities in agriculture. I also find it motivating to help students discover the importance of giving themselves grace and staying open-minded when choosing their next job. I have personally learned over the years that most people have a career journey that is not straight-forward as you never know what opportunity may arise and you do not have to restrict yourself to your college major as the skills you learn are transferrable and can lead you on an exciting career journey.

What has surprised you about your work? The amazing talent and creative thinking the emerging leaders entering the workforce bring to their chose career fields. The energy and optimism they bring is refreshing as we continue to find ways to work together to address the challenges our world faces.

What trends are you seeing in your work? I continue to see how important it is for those entering the workforce today to find a company that aligns with their values. It’s not just about the job these days, but the additional opportunities the company can offer to employees to continue to develop and grow as a professional and feel connected to their employees along with a sense of belonging.