Growing up in a farming community in Iowa, I never imagined a career that would take me around the world, immersing me in diverse cultures, business models, and markets. My business journey began early, working at my family’s John Deere dealership, serving local farmers as soon as I was tall enough to see over the parts counter.

With a passion for science, I pursued a university degree in Chemistry, planning to focus on cancer research. But life had other plans. During my sophomore year, I answered a newspaper ad for a third-shift lab job at a Cargill factory. That role gave me invaluable hands-on experience in an industrial lab and provided the financial means to finish school. Little did I know, it would also spark a 25-year career with Cargill, a global leader who was ready to invest in developing me from an entry-level shop floor worker to a corporate executive.

At Cargill, I worked across a wide range of businesses—from Sweeteners, Dietary Supplements, Oilseeds, Cocoa & Chocolate, Flour Milling, Salt & De-icing, Poultry & Protein, Animal Health & Nutrition, and Aqua Feed. Starting in quality assurance and manufacturing, I quickly found myself leading teams and initiatives globally. I helped launch a nutraceuticals business, led procurement and supply chain efforts negotiating multimillion-dollar deals, and contributed to one of the largest ERP transformations in the world. I built an internal consulting practice, guiding many M&A integrations, business carve outs, and digital transformations,  honing my expertise in managing complex transitions and aligning diverse teams for success.  Regardless of what the assignment was,  you would find me out in the field,  knee deep with my teams to understand the business first and then make smart recommendations on where and how to optimize.

Alongside my career, my husband and I grew several personal businesses while raising our young family and relocating across the U.S. and abroad for Cargill assignments. In 2020, we took a leap of faith, and I left Cargill for an exciting opportunity with AGCO Corporation—returning to my roots in agricultural equipment. During the pandemic, I helped AGCO navigate rapid change while developing and launching a new “Farmer First” strategy. In 2021, working under a new CEO, I was honored to head up a major transformation and operating model redesign. This was a fantastic opportunity to apply my expertise from Cargill while rapidly learning a new part of the agricultural value chain.

After two and a half years, I accepted a role leading AGCO’s business across Asia, Pacific, and Africa. It was an incredible experience, engaging directly with employees, dealers, and farmers across many countries and cultures. Leading this complex region leveraged all my years of business transformation, while giving me a fresh perspective on the direct challenges, choices, and trade-offs involved in being accountable for a diverse P&L.

Today, after years working inside two Fortune 500 companies, I’m excited to broaden my reach. Through Pinion Pathways, I work with business leaders from various industries to tackle their most pressing challenges. When you work with me, you won’t get theory—you’ll get a seasoned partner, quick to learn your business, navigate your culture, and develop practical strategies and plans for driving change at every level. I am a leader who deeply understands that obsessing over delighting your customers and inspiring your employees is the key to sustainable growth. I bring real-world leadership experience, from the shop floor to the boardroom, and I’m committed to helping businesses transform and thrive in a rapidly changing global environment.