Summits
Influential Women in Agriculture Summit 2020
October 20, 2021 at 12:00pm ET

Developing communication skills and a good network can jumpstart your career or projects and get you where you want to be. Effective communication can take many forms and there’s no one formula: these three women will share what works for them and tips they’ve picked up along the way.

Kristen Phillips

Kristen Phillips is a farmer, agronomist, and general manager of Manitoba Ag Days, one of Canada’s largest indoor farm shows. Phillips is also a wife and a mom, raising the fifth generation of farmers on her family’s farm in Roseland, Man.

Karen Schuett

Karen Schuett, co-founder and CEO of Livestock Water Recycling (LWR), is a highly regarded manure expert. Her Calgary-based agtech company has developed one of the global livestock industry’s most sought-after manure treatment innovations. In pursuing her work towards lagoon-free food, this visionary has received numerous awards.

Jennifer Forde

Bio: Jennifer Forde is an experienced event manager, and manages farmers markets in several Toronto neighbourhoods. She works to combat racial inequality in access to affordable, healthy food, food deserts and urban agriculture. She has been recognized for her solid organizational, communication, collaborative and negotiation skills.

Moderator: Wendy Cukier, professor of entrepreneurship and strategy and WEKH Director, Ryerson University

Bio: Wendy Cukier is professor of entrepreneurship and strategy and academic director of the Diversity Institute at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University. She is one of Canada’s leading experts in disruptive technologies, innovation processes, and diversity and inclusion. The Diversity Institute works with partners on projects aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in leadership and entrepreneurship. Wendy leads the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, funded by the Government of Canada, which promotes inclusive supports for women and other diverse entrepreneurs.