Global "agvocate" Michele Payn-Knoper to present keynote address at inaugural Women in Agribusiness Summit

BOSTON, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With unmatched passion and commitment to helping people understand the path from farm gate to the consumer plate, keynote speaker Michele Payn-Knoper will inspire the audience to build connected communities in the industry at the debut of the Women in Agribusiness Summit (www.WomeninAg.com) in New Orleans, Sept. 16-17.

Under the direction of Frances Pratt, co-chairwoman and event director from conference host HighQuest Partners, a globally-recognized strategic advisory and management consulting firm serving the food, agriculture and biofuels sectors, the Women in Agribusiness Summit will bring together an unparalleled cross-section of women from the agribusiness and food production sectors. 

At this dynamic event, attendees will gain superior industry knowledge from highly successful stakeholders, share in professional and career path development opportunities, create key relationships with like-minded professionals in the sector, and promote the agribusiness industry to the next generation of women.

"We are excited to host this first-ever Women in Agribusiness Summit, and look forward to Michele helping us celebrate the promise, passion and success of these innovative, talented women," said Pratt.  "Through the thoughtful sharing of best practices and industry insights at this event, we hope to encourage the next generation of women in agribusiness."

Payn-Knoper will address this extraordinary group on how to lead through the significant changes facing agriculture in the 21st century by relaying poignant moments, not only from her years of experience helping farmers in over 25 countries build connections that impact the future of agriculture, but from her years growing up on a farm.  A Certified Speaking Professional, Payn-Knoper holds degrees in Agricultural Communications and Animal Science from Michigan State University. She also is an outspoken proponent of the use of social media to make connections in the ag industry, and founded the weekly discussions #AgChat and #FoodChat on Twitter.

In addition to Payn-Knoper, a high-energy, spirited team of accomplished women in ag, such as Rhonda Cole, Director of Grains and Oils at SunOpta, Inc., and Mary Ellen Hennessey-Jones, President of Solera Capital LLC, will highlight the key messages at the Women in Agribusiness Summit.

The two-day event is the prelude to the Soy & Grain Trade Summit (www.soyandgraintrade.com) for domestic and international soybean, oilseed and grain commodity buyers and their suppliers, which runs through Sept. 19 at the same venue.

Contact: Michelle Pelletier-Marshall
(978) 887-8800, [email protected]

SOURCE HighQuest Partners