10 WomenAg Leaders are set to graduate from UnitedAg's WomenAg Leadership Academy

For Immediate Release

WomenAg Leadership Academy Graduation, December 4th in Pismo Beach

10 Women Ag Leaders are set to graduate from UnitedAg’s WomenAg Leadership Academy

IRVINE, Calif., (AgPR) Nov. 17, 2017 – UnitedAg, a member-owned agricultural trade association representing more than 700 organizations in California and Arizona, announced that it would hold its annual WomenAg Leadership Academy graduation at The Cliffs Resort in Pismo Beach on December 4th at 6:30 p.m. Fiona Ma, Board Member, Board of Equalization will be the special guest speaker, with Rachel Michelin, Executive Director & CEO of California Women Lead., and UnitedAg Board Members & Trustees in attendance.

The graduation is a culmination of a one year program that focuses on the unique needs of women in agriculture. The ten members of the graduating class were identified rising leaders who participated in workshops and coursework designed to develop their leadership skills. The program provided professional training and resources from California Women Lead, the largest non-partisan association of women leaders.

“Agribusiness is extremely important and will be even more important in years to come and we need to focus on igniting internally and inspiring more women to lead,” said Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg.

The ten members of the graduating class are Deborah Adam (Owner of Innovative Produce, Inc.), Julia Belliard (Executive Director of APMA), Loretta Brown (Office Manager of Rijk Zwaan USA, Inc.), Donna France (Vice President/Secretary of Red Dog Management, Inc.), Carrie Jordan (Office Manager & HR Director of Babé Farms, Inc.), Zinnia Loya (Commerical Sales Specialist of Medium House), Maribel Ochoa (Membership & Marketing Manager of UnitedAg), Sylvia Sanchez (HR Director of Saticoy Lemon Association), Melissa Shiffrar (Controller of Rancho Guadalupe, LLC), and Veronica Urzua (HR Director of Pacific International Marketing, Inc.).

UnitedAg has developed and cultivated the WomenAg Leadership Academy for a select group of women in the ag community to network with and learn from highly experienced and accomplished agricultural community leaders, both men and women, who educate and mentor the class as they develop their expertise and define their own leadership paths. UnitedAg will continue this mission in 2018. Applications for the 2018 WomenAg Leadership Academy are open now.

About UnitedAg
Founded in 1980, UnitedAg is a member-owned agricultural trade association dedicated to providing innovative solutions for a strong and healthy agricultural industry. UnitedAg represents more than 700 agriculture-affiliated member organizations, including agricultural companies (growers, shippers, coolers, processors, dairy and livestock producers, and supporting businesses); associates; cooperatives; and partner agricultural associations. UnitedAg helps its members meet their employee benefits needs, promotes their interests with lawmakers, and helps them comply with legislation and regulation. Based in Irvine, Calif., UnitedAg has offices in Oxnard, Corona, Salinas, Fresno and Santa Maria. For more information, visit www.unitedag.org or contact Maribel Ochoa at 949.471.3206 or marketing@unitedag.org.

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