LAIB 2026 Agenda

From baling hay to sorting pigs as a youth growing up on a northwest Iowa farm, Aaron learned first-hand and early in life the importance of hard work, showing up, keeping your word, delivering more than promised and treating others with respect. Those lessons continue to serve him well as team leader, ag communications professional, dad and volunteer. Aaron has always been motivated by people who lead with positivity, empathy and humility and give maximum effort in service to others. These qualities define successful people, organizations, companies, farms, and associations. When lived, they make life better for all. Aaron currently serves as Chief Officer: Brand Management & Engagement for the Ankeny-Iowa based Iowa Soybean Association. A popular speaker and work-life coach, he’s the author of two books: Destined for Greatness – The Story of Chuck Long & Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes’ Football and YOU Are Destined for Greatness: Stories of Inspiration & Empowerment. The latter emphasizes 16 themes that propel successful thinking and action as shared by 27 thoughtful and humble leaders. Aaron is a Rotarian, volunteer and accredited public relations professional and supervisory leader. He enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with family. Aaron and his wife Crystal and children Garrett, Grant, and Jaelyn (JAY-lin) live in Waukee, Iowa.

Tennessee native , Kelsey Barnes, who grew up on a corn, soybean, and cattle farm. Served in the Army National Guard as a horizontal engineer. Gained an interest in agriculture policy after living in a rural community of northern Ghana for a year through AgriCorps. Proudly served as a Legislative Analyst, Advance Lead, and Chief of Staff for Rural Business Cooperative Service at USDA under Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue.

Formerly served as the Director of Government Affairs at the Farm Journal Foundation where I promoted Global Food Security polices and initiatives, before becoming a Senior Advisor to Secretary Brooke Rollins for Rural Development, Research, Biofuels, and National Security issues.  

Jeffrey D. McCausland, Ph.D.

Since 2000, both domestic and internationally, Dr. McCausland has conducted numerous executive leadership development workshops and consulted for leaders in public education, US government institutions, non-profit organizations, and corporations.

Dr. McCausland is a retired Colonel from the U.S. Army and former Dean of Academics at the U.S. Army War College. He is a Visiting Professor of National Security at Dickinson College and a National Security Consultant for CBS radio & television.

During his military career Dr. McCausland served in a variety of command and staff positions both in the United States and Europe during the Kosovo crisis and Operations Desert Shield and Storm.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger schools, and the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He holds both a master’s and Ph.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.

Dr. McCausland is the co-author of Battle Tested! Gettysburg Leadership Lessons for 21st Century Leaders.

Hope Hart leads Syngenta’s Molecular Characterization Team in Product Safety, the group that assesses the safety of genetically modified crops before they go to market. She obtained a B.S. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and an M.S. in Microbiology from North Carolina State University. Hope’s 20+ year career at Syngenta began in research where she discovered a gene that resulted in Syngenta’s corn rootworm trait Agrisure Duracade™. 

In her current role, she leads the team that characterizes the DNA in transgenic plants, providing data needed for global registrations of genetically modified crops. Hope’s professional accolades include granted patents, publications in peer-reviewed journals, global registration of several biotech traits, and Syngenta awards for early-stage research activities and product development efforts. Hart has been invited to give hundreds of presentations to global audiences, ranging from information on GMOs for the general public to technical presentations at international scientific conferences. 

Hannah Poush is a facilitator and leadership development partner with deep experience in agriculture, natural resources, and community-based organizations. She helps leaders and teams build the courage to face persistent challenges and the systems to make progress sustainable. Her work is rooted in the belief that leadership is a daily practice—not a title—and that real change happens when we create space for honest conversation, clarity, and follow-through.

Raised in a family orchard and shaped by over a decade of hands-on experience, Hannah brings a deep understanding of the values, pressures, and dynamics within operational and mission-driven settings. She’s known for meeting people where they are, translating abstract concepts into practical tools, and designing learning experiences that create energy, enthusiasm, and space for growth.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a certificate in Leadership and Applied Public Affairs from Trinity Western University and is currently earning her Master of Business Leadership at Whitworth University. Hannah is a graduate of the AgForestry Leadership Program, a certified Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI) practitioner, and a certified Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) Coach through The Leadership Challenge. She also holds a certificate in Servant Leadership from Gonzaga University and is trained in Technology of Participation (ToP) facilitation methods.

Hannah lives in Spokane, Washington, and is the proud mom of three great kids. When she’s not working, you can usually find her baking something delicious or enjoying the outdoors on her bike or snowboard.

Steve is a Senior Lecturer in the International Business & Management department at Dickinson College teaching courses including Profiles in Leadership, Human Resource Management, and International Organizational Behavior. He also teaches a seminar for first-year students titled, Finding Meaning: An Introspective Examination of Life’s Purpose in College and Beyond. Steve is also a Senior Consultant for Dering Consulting supporting client needs through strategy, organizational development, training and coaching solutions and services.

Prior to teaching, Steve served as the associate vice president of human resources at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania where his focus was on developing talent and creating stronger engagement among faculty and staff. Before coming to Dickinson, Steve worked for ten years as a human resource and change management consultant with clients ranging from Fortune 500 to state and local non-profit organizations.

Steve earned his doctoral degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Educational Leadership in Higher Education. He holds a Professional Coach Certification (PCC) from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) and has more than 900 hours of experience coaching leaders across all industries. In addition, he earned the Senior Professional of Human Resource (SPHR) certification through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Steve has facilitated leadership and team development programs throughout the country and is a certified facilitator of DiSC, Crucial Conversations, Crucial Accountability, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Beth joined Syngenta in July 2025, bringing with her two decades of experience in public affairs and agricultural policy. Prior to Syngenta, she served as Vice President of Agriculture and Environment at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), where she led policy and market access strategies for the Agriculture and Environment Section.

She was also the Head of U.S. Public Affairs at global animal health company, Zoetis, and held senior roles at the National Corn Growers Association and the National Grain and Feed Association. Earlier in her career, Beth served on Capitol Hill in policy roles for several members of Congress.

A proud native of central Virginia, Beth grew up on her family’s century owned dairy farm. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Government and International Politics from George Mason University and a master’s degree in Political Management from the George Washington University.

Macie O’Shaughnessy is the Industry Relations Manager at Syngenta.  She works with Grower and Trade Associations across all crops. She also manages the Syngenta Leadership At It’s Best (LAIB) program to help prepare current and future leaders in the Agriculture industry to tell their story, advocate, and lobby to policy makers. She sits on the Cotton Foundation Board as well as the USA Rice Foundation Board.

Macie assumed the role as US Industry Relations Manager December 2020, however she started with Syngenta in 2007. During her tenure at Syngenta she has gained experience working in several different roles such as a Seeds Sales Manager, Sustainable Solutions Specialist, Customer Service Manager,  and Finance. Macie is passionate about telling the sustainability story that growers live every day, advocating for access to technology and freedom to farm.