BOSTON, February 1, 2022 – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award of Excellence, an annual award that recognizes outstanding women in the ag and food sector. Awards will be bestowed at the annual Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit, which this year will be held in Dallas, September 26-28.
First introduced in 2013, the Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award of Excellence, so named for Demeter, the goddess of the harvest from ancient Greek mythology, recognizes those who have achieved excellence in their field and/or who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the agribusiness industry. Thus far, nearly 25 change-makers in ag and food, along with five exceptional companies, including Agrium, Nationwide and Syngenta, have been recipients of the award.
Two of the three recipients of the 2021 WIA Demeter Award of Excellence: Anne Cleary of Wilbur-Ellis (L), and Dr. Vicky Salin of Texas A&M University.
Accomplishments noted through the years include:
Kay Kuenker’s championing Dow AgroSciences’ Women’s Innovation Network (WIN) through ensuring funding, initiatives and accelerated development of the program that advances women’s development and careers. (NOTE: Kuenker is now CEO of Advanced Agrilytics LLC.)
Kelly Stevens, diversity and inclusion consultant at Buffalo Wild Wings, launching Team Member Diversity Networks, as well as nine regional Women’s Field Leadership Forums and the Home Office Women’s Leadership Forum.
And, Christine Tacon, groceries code adjudicator, UK Regulator, nominated for being “a dynamic businesswoman who has had a major impact in agribusiness and the food sector”, credited with transforming the largest farmer co-operative in the UK from operating at a huge loss to ending with an $8 million profit, and a $30 million increase in revenue.
Successes such as these are welcome in nominations for the 2022 award, where up to three recipients will be chosen. Criteria for nomination includes:
Woman with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the ag and/or food industry;
Woman who is a positive example to other women in the industry;
Woman who breaks down barriers and serves as a resource for others; and
Woman who consistently exemplifies professionalism.
Nomination forms, which are available here, will be accepted through Friday, July 15, 2022. There is no limit to the number of entries. Self-nominations are permissible as well.
# # #
About Women in Agribusiness
The Women in Agribusiness Summit in the U.S., introduced by parent company HighQuest Partners in 2012, is renowned for annually convening close to 1,000 of the country’s female agribusiness decision-makers. Women in Agribusiness Summit Europe debuted in Barcelona, Spain, in February 2015. WIA initiatives have grown to include theWIA Membership, WIA Demeter Award of Excellence, Scholarships, and the WIA Today blog. Learn more at womeninag.com.
CONTACT: Michelle Pelletier Marshall
Senior PR/Media Manager & Managing Editor
10 South Main Street, Suite 209
Topsfield, Mass. 01983 USA
mmarshall@highquestgroup.com
+1.978.790.0565