IALF introduces program class of 2028

The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF) is proud to announce the selection of its Leadership Program Class of 2028.

This cohort of emerging and established leaders represents a broad cross-section of Illinois agriculture, bringing experience from production agriculture, agribusiness, finance, technology, communications, conservation, food systems and more.“Each new class brings fresh perspectives, valuable experience and a shared commitment to strengthening the future of agriculture,” said Dr. Amanda L. Martin, president and CEO of IALF. “The Class of 2028 represents the breadth and strength of our industry, and we are eager to see how these Fellows will grow together, challenge one another and put their leadership into action across Illinois and beyond.”

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.

Class of 2028 Participants

The Class of 2028 Fellows include Lucas Fuess of Chicago, senior dairy analyst at Rabobank; Beatrice Kamau of Beecher, CEO/founder of Multiple Harvest Farm and LPN at Multiple Harvest LLC; Mike Carlson of Arlington Heights, manager of customer experience at Nutrien; Reid Stephenson of Chicago, regional sales manager, industrial nitrogen, at Nutrien; and Madison Schultz of Buckingham, precision agronomy specialist at Advanced Agrilytics.

Karen Peditto of Lindenhurst is produce coordinator at Glenview Park District – Historic Wagner Farm; Michael Gill of Camp Grove is a partner at Gill Farms; Ben Hugenberg of Liberty is farmer owner/operator of Hugenberg Farm Inc.; and Brian Johnson of Rio is agronomic value lead, corn & soy, at John Deere.

Bradley Horton of Freeburg is an engine & ATS engineering and integration engineer at CNH; Matthew Geiger of Sandoval is an agronomist/retail sales rep at Syngenta Crop Protection; Ian Vandeford of Collinsville is director of sales operations at Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.; Elliott Kauffman of Belleville is associate relationship manager at CoBank; and Caleb Harre of Nashville is global multimedia manager at PTx.

Matt Lamont of Carmi is a seed advisor at Beck's Hybrids; Joshua Maschhoff of Nashville is regional director of operations at The Maschhoffs; Jack Lanxon of Millstadt is farm operations manager at Eckert's Inc.; and Danielle Solis of Germantown is communications manager at The Maschhoffs.

Eileen Pabst of Bloomington is market development manager at the Illinois Soybean Association; Jenny Worth of Bloomington is agribusiness market manager at COUNTRY Financial; Trisha Rentschler of Charleston is senior product manager at Kahler Automation; Charlie Hensley of Peoria is manager of the Peoria County Farm Bureau; and Alissa Fosdick of Fairbury is team leader, credit ag lending, at Compeer Financial.

Alan Bailey of Springfield is Midwest solar specialist at American Farmland Trust; Andrew Van Thyne of Decatur is vice president at ADM; Connor Kaeb of Chenoa is associate manager, government relations, at GROWMARK, Inc.; and Troy Hoene of Sigel is senior credit officer at Farm Credit Illinois. Joshua Wurmnest of Melvin is region business manager at GROWMARK; Bradley Ingram of Tuscola is owner/founder of Scars of Valor Foundation; and Emily Laird of Decatur is director, CO2 origination and market development, at ADM.

These participants were selected through a competitive application and in-person interview process. They join a legacy of more than 670 alumni who have graduated from the program since its founding in 1981.The Leadership Program Class of 2028 will kick off its two-year leadership journey in November 2026, followed by orientation in December. Fellows will participate in sessions across Illinois, Washington, D.C., and internationally, culminating with graduation in April 2028.

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