Meet Our Speakers
CEO & FOUNDER
AgCulture Marketing
Delaney Howell, M.S., is a seasoned farm broadcaster and media entrepreneur whose work connects policy, markets, and production agriculture with the people who live it every day. Raised on a grain-and-livestock operation in southeast Iowa, Delaney brings a producer’s perspective to her storytelling and her business leadership. In 2017, she launched Ag News Daily, one of the first daily digital podcasts in ag, and has since produced hundreds of hours of audio and video programming for producers, ag businesses, and rural audiences. As founder and CEO of AgCulture Marketing (ACM), Delaney leads a seven-person team that helps small and mid-sized agribusinesses with strategy, digital execution, public relations, and content.
Her on-air experience media experiences include: hosting PBS’ Market to Market, reporting for This Week in AgriBusiness, radio work with Your Ag Network, and freelance writing for outlets including Agri-Pulse and Successful Farming.
Delaney also plays an active role on her husband’s fifth-generation family farm in Tama County, Iowa, assisting with marketing and operations for a diversified row-crop operation that includes corn, soybeans, alfalfa, oats, and wheat.
Her passion for rural vitality led her to create She Creates: Rural, a practical, no-nonsense business conference for rural women, side-hustlers, and service-based ag entrepreneurs. Policy interests include value-added processing and local meat capacity, access to rural funding, value-added markets, global trade and market access, and commonsense approaches to conservation and climate. Delaney advocates for the building blocks of thriving rural communities, broadband, housing, childcare, and workforce, and uses her platforms to elevate farmer voices in policy discussions.
Delaney Howell
COO & CO-FOUNDER
Hummingbirds
Charise Flynn is the COO and cofounder of Hummingbirds, a marketing platform that connects brands with everyday creators to drive sales and awareness. Growing up on a farm in northwest Iowa, her first business was raising cattle—an experience that shaped her entrepreneurial spirit. She has since scaled startups nationwide, securing $35M+ in venture funding, while building and leading high-performing teams. Charise is passionate about community, storytelling, and creating a platform where local creators inspire discovery.
Charise Flynn
SPEAKER, CERTIFIED LIFE COACH, AND FACULTY AT MINDBODYGREEN INSTITUTE
Vanessa is a national speaker, certified life coach, and faculty member at the MindBodyGreen Institute. With a Master's in Social Work and specialization in Trauma-Informed Care, she helps individuals and organizations transform how they respond to adversity, build emotional intelligence, and cultivate lasting well-being from the inside out. Her dynamic presentations have inspired audiences at corporations and elite military institutions including the National Guard and Air Force.
Vanessa McNeal
FOUNDER, CONTENT AND PR CONSULTANT
Crafted Communications
Ashley Craft is a content and public relations consultant with over eight years of communications experience in the agriculture and higher education sectors. As the founder of Crafted Communications, Ashley specializes in copywriting and content creation, social media management and public relations strategy. She is dedicated to making complex scientific information digestible, accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.
Her previous roles include communications strategist for the University of Missouri Ag and Environment Extension, public relations specialist for National Crop Insurance Services and content and public relations manager for Woodruff.
Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism and a master’s degree in agricultural communications, education and leadership, both from the University of Missouri. For more information about Ashley, visit her LinkedIn page.
Ashley Craft
CONSULTANT
LMB Consulting
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Lexi Marek Beeler
FOUNDER, CONTENT AND PR CONSULTANT
Crafted Communications
Natalina Sents Bausch grew up in southeast Iowa, where her love of agriculture and entrepreneurship began. After graduating from Iowa State University, she set out on a yearlong, 50-state road trip, creatively documenting the lives of 100+ farm families. In 2017, she joined Successful Farming, where she reports industry news and leads digital strategy. In 2021, Natalina returned to her hometown, where she and her husband run small businesses and are active in their community.
Natalina Sents Bausch
CEO & FOUNDER
Beyond the Brand
22 years in the industry, including 20 years working with ag clients, she blends expertise with entrepreneurial energy, having started multiple companies. Lisa loves fostering a team culture of transparency, grace, and mentorship, while serving as an extension of her clients’ teams to help their brands stand out and succeed.
Lisa Taft
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Advanced Consulting Group powered by Nationwide Retirement Institute®
Gail Brannock, JD, CPA, has over 25 years of experience in business, wealth and tax planning and has worked in the financial services industry since 2000. At Nationwide, Gail’s focus is on business continuation planning and nonqualified executive benefits. Gail has experience in buy/sell strategies as well as nonqualified deferred compensation, executive bonus arrangements and split dollar planning.
Gail earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Georgia Southern University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.
Gail focuses primarily on helping business owners to prepare for retirement and business succession and to provide life insurance-based incentives for key executives.
Gail Brannock
PRESIDENT
Heartland Marketing Group
Barb grew up on a diversified farm in west central Illinois and attended the University of Illinois where she majored in Ag Communications. Her career includes livestock publication experience, animal health sales, and, courageously, small business ownership for over 40 years.
In addition to her work at HMG, Barb served on the National Pork Producers Council Board of Directors and was President of the organization in 2001-2002. She also served on the Iowa 4-H Foundation Board of Directors, serving as Chair in 2012. Barb was chosen to serve on the United States Animal Health Association Board of Directors and was elected president of the organization, filling that role in 2018. Then, in 2024, Barb was awarded the US Animal Health Association Medal of Distinction, just the third non-veterinarian in the organization’s 129 year history to receive their highest honor. After being nominated by Iowa’s governor, Barb served on the Iowa Great Places Advisory Board as well.
Barb and Steve continue to farm and are the parents of three adult children: Andy (wife, Sally), Dan, and Kourtney. They are also grandparents of Lucy, Archie, and Eli. Steve is Heartland Marketing Group’s Business Manager, taking care of accounting functions, IT responsibilities, and fixing what’s broken. Together they are leaders of the Early Achievers 4-H Club and active members of the Early United Methodist Church.
Barb Determan
OWNER
Grateview Communications
Amber Selman is a media strategist, dairy farmer, and entrepreneur based in Eastern Iowa. With over 6 years of experience in paid media, she specializes in helping agricultural businesses and rural organizations plan and execute digital campaigns. Amber combines her background in farming with her skills in media buying, analytics, and content strategy to deliver results with authenticity and impact.
Amber Selman
DIRECTOR
Business Support Services, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Iowa
Jacki serves as the Executive Director for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in Iowa and has supported the program since it originated in Iowa in 2019. Prior to joining the program, she worked in a variety of roles at Des Moines Area Community College focusing on workforce development and employee training initiatives in the central Iowa region. Jacki holds an MS in Business Analytics and undergraduate degrees in Business and Education.
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a national education program provided to small business owners focused on growth. Iowa's 12 week program provides a best-in-class curriculum directly applicable to your business. Through the program you will work closely with other likeminded small business owners from across the state experiencing the same challenges and focused on the same goals. Additionally business advisors provide individualized support and guidance throughout the entire program—-all at no cost.
Jacki Boldt
PROGRAM MANAGER
Entrepreneurship Centers, Drake University
Chase Spencer is the Program Manager of the Entrepreneurship Centers at Drake University, where he oversees the Drake Business Clinic and student-focused entrepreneurial programs. A founder himself, Chase launched Chasing Cars as a student venture, helping classic car owners preserve and share the stories behind their vehicles through innovative technology and community engagement. His experience spans customer discovery, ideation, and building ventures with a holistic mindset. At Drake, he has guided numerous students and faculty members in transforming their ideas into thriving businesses, several of which have gone on to win pitch competitions and gain real-world traction.
Chase Spencer
PROGRAM DIRECTOR - WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER
The Iowa Center for Economic Success
Jennifer Thomas (she/her) is Program Director of the Women’s Business Center at The Iowa Center for Economic Success. She leads programs that equip entrepreneurs with coaching, education, and access to capital. A former small business owner, Jennifer understands the challenges of starting and growing a business firsthand. She is passionate about ensuring entrepreneurs across Iowa—especially in rural communities—have the resources and confidence to build sustainable businesses.
Jennifer Thomas
PRESIDENT
Midwest Insurance Corporation
Melissa Johnson is President of Midwest Insurance Corporation, an agency deeply rooted in serving agriculture and rural communities. Her agency has focused on understanding the unique needs of ag producers and small businesses, helping them protect their operations and plan for growth. Melissa is passionate about building strong partnerships and providing resources that support the long-term success of rural America, ensuring businesses thrive today and for future generations.
Melissa Johnson
COMMUNITY BANK PRESIDENT
Bank Iowa
Emily Schwickerath, Community Bank President at Bank Iowa, brings over a decade of agricultural and commercial lending experience. A Northeast Iowa native and Iowa State graduate in Agriculture Education, she grew up raising livestock and working on a dairy farm. Wife and mom of five, Emily actively serves her community through boards supporting youth, agriculture, and education. Passionate about growth and empowerment, she partners with families, small businesses, and women to break barriers and achieve their dreams.
Emily Schwickerath
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
BounceAg
Heather Gieseke is a trailblazing agribusiness strategist who uniquely blends high-impact sales and marketing leadership with deep expertise in technical industry niches. As the Founder of BounceAg, she pairs proven skills in revenue generation, go-to-market strategy, and business integration with market insights to drive new found excellence for companies and NGOs. Heather leverages strategic leadership to build robust frameworks that propel market success. As a self-proclaimed networking enthusiast, her fusion of sales-driven storytelling and passion for market innovation and sustainability empowers leaders and businesses in the rapidly evolving landscape of food and agriculture.
Heather Gieseke
PRESIDENT
Creative Training Solutions
Stacia Skinner is president and founder of Creative Training Solutions, Ltd. (CTS) She launched CTS in 2003 and is proud to celebrate more than 20 years in business. She is the author of three books and is currently writing a fourth book on Pipeline Management scheduled to release in early 2026. She recently relocated from the Chicago area to the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Stacia has a genuine passion for the world of sales and business ownership. With more than 35 years of experience as a sales professional and over 26 years as a trainer, she brings wealth of real-world knowledge to her clients. Her work has spanned industries and geographies, partnering with companies such as Hyatt Corporation, Fifth Third Bank and Allsteel, among many others across the U.S. and internationally.
At her core, Stacia is a salesperson and business owner first and a trainer second. She does the same work her clients do every day to grow her own business, giving her a unique understanding of today’s evolving sales and business landscape. Her greatest reward comes from helping others succeed and thrive in their businesses.
Stacia Skinner
FOUNDER
Bolster Biz Dev + Agripreneur Academy
Jennifer Simpson is a wife, mom, and 25-year quota-crushing sales leader who brings equal parts heart and horsepower to every room she walks into.
As the founder of Bolster Biz Dev, she helps executives, entrepreneurs, and sales teams remove revenue roadblocks, sharpen their message, and sell with confidence and clarity. She’s also the creator of Powerful Prospecting, Bolster’s flagship course on human-first outreach and relationship-driven sales.
Even though she may “scream city-girl” these days, Jennifer remains deeply rooted in agriculture as the founder of a second successful venture, Agripreneur Academy. She’s proud to have been the lead consultant and core developer of the Cover Crop Business Accelerator and has personally coached more than 85 farm-based businesses on strategy, growth, and brand development. Through this work, Jennifer helps rural entrepreneurs transform traditional farming operations into thriving, consumer-facing brands.
When she’s not training or consulting, Jennifer’s likely camping with her family, singing out-of-state karaoke, or binging Audible books before breakfast.