Look Who’s New on the WIA Advisory Board!

By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (April 28, 2026)

o   Lead by Example.

o   Walk the Talk.

o   Move from Words to Action.

o   Rise to the Challenge.

These actions embody the role of members on the Women in Agribusiness Advisory Board. These exceptional women are called to "provide strategic advice and expertise on agribusiness and related industries, in accordance with WIA’s mission and goals.” This board has the task of guiding from the behind the scenes, advising on marketplace topics and voices to be heard on the WIA stage, and sharing the messages of WIA with their connections and beyond.

This year, Women in Agribusiness welcomes four new members to its advisory board – Kathy Eichlin of Syngenta; Jacqui Fatka of CoBank; Amanda Martin of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation; and Jen Tonder of Land O’Lakes. These accomplished women bring a host of new ideas and experience to the group, which now numbers 12 and includes:

o   Laura Ambielli Swisher, Nationwide

o   Gloria Basse, Kearney

o   Sharon Beals, SKKB-LLC, WMIN

o   Michele Fite, ELO Life Systems

o   Sandra Hulm, Scoular

o   Suzanne Petersen, Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health

o   Mary Shelman, Shelman Group

o   Lisa Zannoni, Zannoni & Associates

You can see the official press release here about the new advisory board members, but below, we get a more personal to understand each woman’s journey into ag (you can see all of the boards’ bios here).

KATHY EICHLIN is head of Corporate and Crop Protection Communications for Syngenta North America Crop Protection, LLC. She oversees all facets of strategic communications, including external, community, and employee relations, as well as crisis communications. 

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1. What ignited your passion for agriculture?

My passion for agriculture grew over time through my career. As I became more connected to the industry, I gained a deeper appreciation for its complexity, innovation and impact on feeding the world. Agriculture lies at the heart of addressing the challenges of feeding an expanding population, stimulating economic development, and responsibly managing our planet’s natural resources.

The industry’s commitment to innovation and sustainability is both inspiring and essential for the future. Being actively involved in a field that is pivotal to ensuring food security and promoting environmental stewardship provides a strong sense of purpose and motivation. Each day, it is meaningful to contribute to something that truly matters in our local and global communities.

2. What does being a part of the Women in Agribusiness community, especially as a board member, mean to you?

   
   

Being part of the Women in Agribusiness community means actively contributing to a network that uplifts women throughout the industry. It’s a space that encourages connection, mentorship and growth at every stage of your professional journey. Here, women gather to share insights, challenge each other, and collectively advance the industry.

Serving on the board further deepens this commitment by helping shape the organization’s vision, championing opportunities for others, and ensuring we create meaningful pathways for women and future leaders in agribusiness. Being involved is incredibly rewarding – it shapes the industry’s future and makes it especially meaningful to help drive that impact, supporting today’s leaders while opening doors for the next generation. Ultimately, it’s about fostering a stronger, more inclusive agribusiness community.

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JACQUI FATKA is the lead economist in CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange research division with responsibility for expert analysis and tracking of agricultural trends in the farm supply and biofuels segments.

1. What ignited your passion for agriculture?

I grew up on a diversified grain and livestock farm in southwest Iowa. As a young child growing up on the farm, I was more eager than my two sisters to check the cow-calf pairs during the wet spring with my dad or drive the grain cart during harvest starting at the age of 10. I was very involved in 4-H where I learned the valuable lesson of the hard work it takes to tame a calf for the show ring to presenting confidently in front of audiences and judges.

As I became older, my passion for communication that was cultivated during 4-H was able to see a pathway for a future career as I choose journalism and mass communications with a minor in agriculture. At Iowa State University I saw my love of agriculture and communications grow through on-campus coursework and summer internships with Sen. Chuck Grassley’s office in partnership with the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Wallace’s Farmer magazine.

Through the storytelling of agriculture, my passion deepened for those who work in the fields everyday to the many along the supply chain who make a way for farmers to succeed. At the heart of my passion is the respect for those who farm, starting with my dad and brother on our family farm, as well as my 19-year-old son who also wants to carry on our family’s agricultural legacy.

2. What does being a part of the Women in Agribusiness community, especially as a board member, mean to you?

I joined CoBank as a lead economist in January 2024 and attended my first WIA event that fall as a breakout speaker. That first WIA I attended in Denver brought me together with new and old friends as I quickly realized the power of networking at the event. That first evening a group of eight ladies, many unknown to each other, decided to hit the town for a late-night drink. What transpired was what we now affectionately call our “Denver Divas” group. We still text each other life and career updates and encourage and cheer each other on in new endeavors.

My second WIA I had the privilege to moderate a panel. It was then that I realized WIA wasn’t just another event I speak at, it became one I wanted to prioritize for the networking and engagement provided with industry thought-leaders and renowned experts. It is an extreme honor to be selected to serve on the advisory board to guide the future direction of WIA on behalf of CoBank as well as the amazing women who take time out of their busy work and family life to come together with one another.

There is a special thread that connects those in agriculture for a lifetime, and WIA does a magical job of weaving insights and networking through their events. Whenever I am on the road, I am always asking other agribusiness women if they’ve attended any Women in Agribusiness events. It’s become part of my journey in empowering me as a woman leader in agribusiness, and I want others along their agricultural career journey to experience that as well.

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AMANDA MARTIN directs leadership development initiatives advancing agriculture, food systems, and rural communities at the state and national level as the president & CEO of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation.

1.     What ignited your passion for agriculture?

My passion for agriculture was sparked early on by a truly phenomenal high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor who saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself. That experience opened the door to a world I hadn’t fully understood and showed me the power of leadership within agriculture.

That spark only grew stronger in college, where I was surrounded by outstanding mentors and leaders who challenged me, invested in me, and expanded my perspective on what agriculture could be. Over time, that foundation evolved into a deeper passion for the intersection of food, community, and leadership, how agriculture not only feeds and fuels the world, but also connects us across differences.

What continues to energize me is the opportunity to bring diverse voices into that conversation. Agriculture isn’t just about tradition, it’s about innovation, sustainability, and shaping the future. That’s where I’ve found my purpose.

2. What does being a part of the Women in Agribusiness community, especially as a board member, mean to you?

   
   

Being part of the Women in Agribusiness community means being surrounded by women who are not only shaping the future of agriculture but doing it with intention, courage, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. That kind of energy is contagious.

Serving on the Advisory Board is both an honor and a responsibility. It’s an opportunity to elevate voices, create meaningful connections, and help build pathways for the next generation of women leaders in this space. For me, it’s not just about representation, it’s about influence, impact, and ensuring agriculture reflects the diversity and strength of the people who are driving it forward.

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JEN TONDER is director of Member Governance and Shared Services, Land O’Lakes, where she leads the Land O’Lakes team that is responsible for corporate governance and member leadership development, along with providing project management, business analysis, member-facing and member data-related systems administration. 

1. What ignited your passion for agriculture?

My passion for agriculture was ignited at a young age, growing up with grandparents who were dairy farmers in Central Minnesota. Their hard work and dedication taught me the importance of stewardship and the deep connection between farming and community. Now, working for a farmer-owned cooperative reinforces my sense of purpose – every  day, I know exactly who our stakeholders are, and it motivates me to work on their behalf.

I am inspired by the mission of the 1% of the population who feed all of us, understanding the responsibility and impact that comes with such a critical role. This sense of duty extends beyond the farm and the workplace, fueling my commitment to giving back, supporting my community, and helping neighbors whenever possible. For me, agriculture is more than a career – it’s a way to serve others and ensure a sustainable future for everyone.

2. What does being a part of the Women in Agribusiness community, especially as a board member, mean to you?

Being part of the Women in Agribusiness community, and especially serving as a board member, is both an honor and a responsibility. It means being entrusted with the opportunity to give back to an industry that has shaped my career and personal growth. Supporting the development of the next generation of women leaders in agriculture is a key part of my role; through mentoring and creating development opportunities, I strive to encourage women to pursue their ambitions and realize their full potential.

Additionally, as a board member, I can help shape future opportunities for growth and development within our community. By fostering an inclusive environment and championing initiatives that address the unique challenges women face in agriculture, I believe we can empower emerging leaders and ensure the continued advancement of women in the industry. Together, we are building a lasting legacy of leadership, collaboration, and innovation for the future of agribusiness.