Women in Ag Conference

Aaron helps his clients reach their full potential by equipping them with tools, tips, and techniques for embodying an Attitude Over Everything mindset. When you change your attitude, you change your life. Aaron is relentless in his pursuit of researching and studying the latest insights on a positive attitude and how it impacts each of us.

Dr. Andrea Bjornestad is a Professor in the School of Education, Counseling, and Human Development at South Dakota State University and is the mental health state specialist in SDSU Extension. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in South Dakota and National Certified Counselor with areas of expertise in school counseling and marriage and family therapy. Her outreach and research efforts in SDSU Extension have focused on the mental health of agricultural producers. She has served as a PI, co-PI, or consultant on 17 funded grants totaling close to $12 million and has conducted studies on the factors contributing to stress, depression, anxiety, and suicide risk in farmers and ranchers. Her outreach efforts are extensive as she is known as a national leader in agricultural behavioral health. Her research and outreach efforts have been featured in local, regional, and national media.

Debbie Peterson is a leadership readiness expert who helps organizations keep and grow the leaders they’re counting on next. Her signature keynote, The Readiness Reset™, delivers clarity-driven strategies that cut through noise, fuel engagement, and drive leadership that lasts at every level. She is the author of Clarity: How Smart Professionals Create Career Success on Their Terms, host of the Getting to Clarity podcast, and recipient of the ATHENA Global Servant Leadership Award and SMART Keynote Speaker Award. Debbie holds the CSP™ designation, the highest earned credential for professional speakers worldwide.

Jackie was named chief credit and operating officer in 2022. She leads the appraisal team and all operations. Jackie previously served at Farm Credit Illinois, as chief credit officer she provided executive and strategic direction to credit, loan operations, diversified markets, and organizational development. She joined the Farm Credit System in 2010 after spending the early part of her career in commercial banking.

Maggie Holub has been with Farm Credit Services of America for 15+ years, serving as a Developing Markets Officer for the past four. In addition to her full-time career, Maggie is also a full-time farmer. She recently completed her 11th year of farming independently, operating 500 acres of corn and soybeans in Dodge County, Nebraska. Wellness has long been a passion for Maggie, and it became even more personal during her father's cancer battle. She is a certified group fitness instructor and is the owner of Grow Fit.