IALF announces Class of '27

The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF) is proud to announce the selection of its Leadership Program Class of 2027.

This distinguished cohort of emerging leaders represents a broad cross-section of Illinois agriculture, bringing expertise from agribusiness, education, food systems, and production agriculture.

The IALF’s flagship program, established to prepare professionals for effective leadership roles within agriculture and rural communities, will provide these participants with a rigorous two-year educational experience. The curriculum integrates seminars on economic, political, social, and global issues affecting Illinois agriculture, as well as national and international-study travel components.

“The Class of 2027 brings together an incredible diversity of thought, professional achievement, and commitment to the future of agriculture,” said Dr. Amanda L. Martin, President and CEO of IALF. “We are excited to support their growth as they become key influencers in the industry.”

Class of 2027 Participants

The 2027 class includes Jason Bollivar of Galesburg, a Sr. Credit Officer at Compeer Financial; Ethan Ax of Heyworth, Sr. Manager of Training & Development at GROWMARK; Marlee Giacometti of Granville, Midwest Program Specialist with American Farmland Trust; Jessica Carter of LeRoy, a Crop Claims Manager at Country Financial; and Miriam Gay of Geneva, Crop Protection Sales Territory Manager with Corteva Agriscience.

Also joining the class are Lance Muirheid, a farmer from Oakley; Andrew Vigna of Dwight, Strategic Account Manager with Bayer Crop Science; Lane Kreiling from Mason City, Sales Support Manager at Beck's Hybrids; Collin Ryan of Dixon, Commercial Sales Manager with AGI; and Samantha Bourke of Nokomis, Member Quality and Sustainability Coordinator at Prairie Farms.

Other participants include Kyle Yontz of Bloomington, Director of Financial Analysis at GROWMARK, Inc.; Teri Foster of Freeburg, Vice President of People & Culture at The Maschhoffs; Eric Muller from Deerfield with Nutrien; Iuliia Tetteh of Normal, an Associate Professor at Illinois State University; and Andrew Killian of Lexington, Crop Protection Field Sales Representative at Bayer.

Rounding out the class are Rebecca Biernacki of Tinley Park, a CTE Agriculture Teacher at Crete Monee Community Unit School District 201; Selma Sims of Chicago, CEO and Head Grower at Gardeneers; British Griffis of Calumet City, Equitable Supply Chain Development Manager at the Chicago Food Policy Action Council; and Katherine Arndt of Malta, a Dairy Hygiene Specialist and Farmer with GEA Farm Technologies and E&E Arndt Farms.

These participants were selected through a competitive application process and represent a wide range of roles within agriculture; from education and non-profits to corporate agribusiness and family farming operations. They join a legacy of more than 650 alumni who have graduated from the program since its founding in 1981.

The Leadership Program Class of 2027 will begin their journey with orientation and leadership development seminars, followed by in-depth sessions on policy, global markets, and food systems across Illinois, Washington D.C., and international destinations.

For more information about the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation and the Leadership Program, visit www.agleadership.org.