2025 Agenda
6:00 pm
6:00 pm | Opening Night Drinks Reception
Kick off the Summit in style: meet your fellow attendees, speakers and the event’s organizers. This is the ideal way to make early connections and get the most out of the rest of the Summit ahead of the following day.
8:30 am
8:30 am | Registration & Networking
Meet your peers, mentors, and industry leaders over coffee and breakfast
9:00 am
9:00 am | Chair’s Opening Remarks
Jamie Chadwick
Managing Editor – Protein
Expana
9:10 am
9:10 am | KICK OFF KEYNOTE: Leading when the goalposts move
How do senior leaders stay motivated when policy, budget, and expectations shift constantly? This keynote explores how to lead through volatility when shifting market dynamics, tariffs, and global tensions are reshaping leadership strategies. We will focus on what it takes to lead in a multi-crisis era and how to be equipped for what comes next.
Deepali Palta
Vice President Of Global R&D Innovation And Sustainability
Kellanova
9:45 am
9:45 am | PANEL DISCUSSION: Belonging by design – building teams and cultures that stick
In a fast-moving world, company culture isn’t built by chance- it’s crafted with intention. This session explores how senior executives can shape inclusive, resilient and productive teams where workforce feel seen, supported, and motivated. How to build a company culture where people want to be part of for the long run. What it takes to create a workplace where everyone can thrive and no one gets left behind.
- How to foster a safe, inclusive workplace where people feel valued and connected?
- How to develop a long-term culture that stays true to your values, even under pressure
- How to lead with flexibility? Using situational leadership to tailor your approach to individual needs and strengths
- Practical strategies to energize your team and align culture with everyday behaviors
- Strategies to maintain employee loyalty
Denitresse Ferrell
Founder & CEO
Culture Refinery
Christopher Bylone
Global Belonging Strategist
Innovation Unbiased
Annie Ryu
CEO
The Jackfruit Company and Jack & Annie's
Bethany Bernier
Director S&T Ingredient Science, Science & Technology
Mars
10:30 am
10:30 am | Networking Break
11:15 am
11:15 am | From aspiration to action: Developing effective leaders in Food and Ag
Influence, diplomacy, and navigating corporate politics at the executive level.
Join this practical session to gain tips and advice on how to turbocharge your career progression and develop your skills.
Patricia Stroup
Former Chief Procurement Officer
Nestlé SA
12:00 pm
12:00 pm | Adapting to AI – leading teams through the unknown
Explore how senior managers are using AI at work effectively and how they adapted to the rise of this technology. Uncover practical guidance for managing teams, performance, and culture in increasingly automated, data-driven environments.
- Potentials of AI in the sector
- What happens when leaders are no longer the tech experts?
- Using AI in the workplace: what works well and where leaders need to catch up
- Navigating AI adoption with empathy and vision
Luana Clapis
Chief Data Officer
Expana
Mary Snapp
Vice President For Strategic Initiatives
Microsoft
Natalie McCaffery
AI-LEAF Institute Youth Education Project Lead
AIVO Institute
Deepa Abi
Strategy And Operations Leader
12:45 pm
12:45 pm | Networking Lunch
2:00 pm
2:00 pm | Personal Skills Workshops – ROUND 1
The event will now break into workshop sessions. Workshops will run for 45 minutes and delegates may choose their preferences (1 per each round) during pre-event and during registration on the day. Numbers are limited so please reserve your place early. On the day, check your badge for the workshop you will be attending during this time. Learn from other members of the Women in Food and Agriculture community around you and share your views and experiences while networking and meeting new people.
Attendees will choose one of the following:
2:00 pm
2:00 pm | Owning your voice – visibility and personal brand in the workplace
Practical insights on how to position yourself for promotion, raise your profile, and amplify your impact in meetings, projects, and leadership tracks.
Camille Batiste
Former SVP, Global Supply Chain And Procurement
ADM
2:00 pm | Time management – enhancing productivity without burnout
Master the art of time management with practical tools to prioritise tasks, set boundaries, and boost productivity without burnout-take control of your schedule and make space for what truly matters. Discover practical strategies to create a sustainable work-life balance that supports both your wellbeing and professional success.
Chantal Randolph-Schall
Vice President Of Operations
Sodexo
2:00 pm | Speak, persuade, win – negotiation with impact
Sharpen your negotiation skills with proven strategies to communicate value, build trust, and achieve better outcomes in every conversation—from daily deals to high-stakes discussions.
Brooke Effron
Fractional CMO, Board Member, Brand Strategist
BWE Consultancy
2:00 pm | Networking with intention
Whether you love it or loathe it, this fast-paced, hands-on session will flip your perspective on what networking really means. Learn how to approach people with purpose, build meaningful connections, and follow up in ways that create lasting value—then put it all into practice in real time during the networking break.
Denitresse Ferrell
Founder & CEO
Culture Refinery
3:00 pm
3:00 pm | Networking Break
3:30 pm
3:30 pm | PANEL DISCUSSION: What does meaningful male allyship look like today?
This discussion explores how male leaders in ag and food are stepping up allies to create truly inclusive teams.
-What practical actions are male leaders taking to actively support inclusion and reduce systemic barriers for parents, women, and underrepresented groups—such as championing flexible work, supporting parental leave, enabling remote options, and promoting a healthier work-life balance?
-How to build up the next generation of female leaders: Effective strategies for nurturing internal talent and fostering long-term employee growth, engagement, and satisfaction.
-What do we need to do to inspire more male advocates?
Patricia Stroup
Former Chief Procurement Officer
Nestlé SA
Campbell Mitchell
VP, Quality And Safety
Fairlife
Brian Choi
CEO
The Food Institute
Brian Carlson
CIO
Sodexo North America
Tosin Jack
Director Of Market Reporting
Expana
4:15 pm
4:15 pm | PANEL DISCUSSION: The Future of collaboration in the ag and food sector – how to save the world?
The supply chain has become a key driver of global resilience. In current market volatility and rising food insecurity, This session unites voices across procurement, manufacturing, and retail to explore how cross-sector collaboration is transforming how we feed the world—ethically, sustainably, and at scale.
–How are companies working together across the value chain to ensure food security and fair access?
-Data collaboration. How to engage farmers, share data, and design measurable, scalable programs?
-What does localization mean in a globalized world—and how are businesses rethinking it?
-What new forms of collaboration are needed to build resilience in an era of constant disruption?
Dru Montri
Vice President Of Agri Food Engagement
Feeding America
Geeta Sethi
Advisor And Global Lead For Food Systems
World Bank
Karen Washington
Farmer And Activist
Tracy Xu
Head Of International Strategy
Tyson Foods
5:00 pm
5:00 pm | Chair’s Closing Remarks
5:30 pm
5:30 pm | Networking Drinks Reception
Celebrate the connections made and the ideas sparked throughout the day.