Ag Leadership Conference

Sharon Chism, a 1991 Iowa State University graduate in Agricultural Business, has spent her career helping farmers make the most of their land through sound soil stewardship. A grain farmer and agricultural consultant, she works closely with farmers and absentee landowners to improve field performance, focusing on drainage solutions, field efficiency, and the restoration of fragile areas to enhance both productivity and profitability.

Recognized for her commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship, Sharon was among 33 recipients of the 2026 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award, nominated by fellow Advisory Team member Marilee Jones.

Sharon volunteers her time to help plan the annual Ag Leadership Conference, ensuring farmers and agribusiness professionals across Iowa continue to benefit from the conference's valuable learning, leadership, and networking opportunities.

Tim Christensen is a Farm Management Specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Southwest Iowa, For the last 8 years Tim has worked educating Iowa farmers in areas of Farm Succession, Grain and Livestock Marketing, Farm Bill, Cost of Production, and many other subjects. Tim has also been a leader in development and delivery of Farm Stress and Mental Health Awareness in the agriculture community. Before coming to Iowa State Tim worked in a range of management roles in the Agricultural industry and has a B.S. in Animal Science from Northwest Missouri State University.

A native Iowan, Chris Cornelius grew up on a diversified farm in Guttenberg, Iowa. She earned a bachelor’s degree in ag journalism from Iowa State University in 1983. Chris lives near Bellevue, IA and alongside her husband, Chuck, and their two sons, Will and James, and daughter-in-law Janie, she co-owns her family’s independent, fifth generation seed business. Their business is celebrating over 90 years of success. She has served as president of the Independent Professional Seed Association. Chris is also an active partner in their farming entity, Cornelius Land & Cattle.  She loves spending time with the grandchildren, known as the “Fab Five.”

Gelin Gil is Director of Development for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the Iowa State University Foundation, where she partners with alumni, donors, faculty, and industry leaders to advance student success, research, and innovation. With more than 25 years of experience spanning higher education, philanthropy, communications, corporate leadership, and federal service, she has led strategic engagement initiatives across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Gelin is passionate about building meaningful connections that strengthen agriculture and create opportunities for future generations

Melissa Hastings started at Corteva in 2005 and that day is also when she started her master’s degree.  She has always had a great enthusiasm for agriculture and is excited to grow her career!  Melissa spent her first 6 years in an electrophoresis and ELISA lab.  She was responsible for workload organization, chemical prep, and scoring of results.  Melissa was proud of transitioning this space from a manual lab to an automated lab and obtaining her Registered Genetic Technologist Certification.  When the technology changed, Melissa spent the next year working in a SNP lab with genetic testing. Her work was in the protein purification department with automation. For the last 11 years she has been in Crop Transformation Systems, working with maize insect control traits. It is exciting to work with plants and deliver solutions in the seeds of tomorrow.  Her current role is in GLP Protein Analysis with PACT.  She has had an exciting career working with labs leading the way for agriculture innovation!

Interesting personal fact: Melissa has a twin Sara, who also works at Corteva. They walk the Franklin trails together. They are born during the Gemini sign. Geminis are known as intellectually curious, good at multi-tasking, trying new things, and communicating to anyone on anything. 

Outside work:  Melissa enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her horses, and visiting the nearby parks...High Trestle Trail, Big Creek, & Ledges!

Jason Johnson has served as the State Public Affairs Specialist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Iowa since August 2020.

In his role, he coordinates communications activities for 100 field offices and serves on the Iowa NRCS leadership team. His duties include working with the media, writing success stories, designing brochures and exhibits, recruiting news employees, photography and videography. 

Jason started his federal career with NRCS in 2003 as a public affairs specialist in Iowa. During his tenure, he has earned the Legacy of Conservation award for his contributions to the award-winning NRCS Soil Health Unlock the Secrets in the Soil marketing communications campaign team; provided national NRCS communications support after Hurricane Harvey ravaged southern Texas farms in 2017; and reported on NRCS support when southern California farmers were affected by wildfires in 2007.

Jason has a communications degree from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He lives in West Des Moines with his wife, Jen, and three boys, Spencer, Carter and Graham.

Marilee Jones was raised with pigs and dairy cows. She began farming with her husband in 1994 and recently purchased the family farm she grew up on. Her family raises cattle and grain and operates a custom spraying and farming business. She is committed to transitioning a strong farming legacy to her five children. With so many changes in the industry, Marilee is always willing to learn and adapt to new methods. Marilee earned her real estate license and hopes to be a resource for women landowners. She is always encouraging women and girls to pursue opportunities in agriculture.

Bobby Martens is the Executive Director of the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, where he is responsible for enhancing the success of member cooperatives through business engagement, legislative advocacy, and education & training. With over 25 years of experience in supply chain management, including 19 years as a faculty member at Iowa State University, Bobby has a strong record of working with companies across the agriculture sector. Most recently, Bobby held the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Endowed Professor of Economics position at Iowa State University. He is dedicated to advancing the institute’s reputation as a trusted partner and resource for cooperatives.

Carey Mathesius is a Research Scientist who leads Vylor’s Regulatory Science Field & Controlled Environments team. She supports biotechnology food and feed safety initiatives and has served as Co-Chair of the Women’s Network, while also representing in industry activities with CropLife International and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Carey holds a BS in Animal Science from the University of Illinois and an MS in Animal Nutrition from Iowa State University. She is part of an Illinois farm family and enjoys supporting her daughter’s activities, advancing STEM education, traveling, and spending time in nature.

Carli Milby is Director of Precision Ag at Landus, where she leads the cooperative's digital agronomy and aerial scouting efforts, including the SkyScout program. Since joining Landus in 2023, she has held leadership roles spanning sales and client success, business operations, and innovation through the LANDWERX program. Before Landus, Carli spent 15 years at Nationwide supporting agribusiness and regional operations. She holds a business degree from Simpson College and is active in Iowa agriculture, serving on the Warren County Fair Board of Directors and the Warren County Extension Council, co-leading Warren County Women in Ag, and sitting on the Ag Leadership Conference Committee. Carli and her three children raise livestock on their farm in Warren County, Iowa.

Melissa O’Rourke is an Attorney and until 2023 served as a Farm and Agribusiness Management Specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach. She was honored to be selected as a 2023 Woman Impacting Agriculture.  Melissa has practiced extensively in the fields of business and estate planning, human resources, immigration, and agricultural commercial litigation. She is a sought-after presenter throughout the region on agricultural legal issues, highlighting farm succession and planning.  Melissa combines her background in education, agriculture, and law as she advises and consults with members of the farm and agribusiness community on an expansive array of business planning and legal topics.

Lisa Scarbrough is a Communications Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Beginning Farmer Center. She produces videos, designs marketing materials, coordinates promotional efforts, manages websites, develops program impact reports and publishes an online newsletter. Lisa works with Extension professionals across Iowa to promote educational courses, workshops and conferences for farmers, agricultural professionals and rural communities. She also leads the Impacting Agriculture recognition program, which honors individuals making meaningful contributions to agriculture and their communities. Lisa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Journalism from the University of Iowa.

Madeline Schultz is an Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Specialist at the Iowa State University Beginning Farmer Center. She designs educational programs, increases connections, builds the professional capacity of educators, and stewards program funding to improve lives and increase agricultural sustainability through the economy, environment, and community. Madeline serves on the boards of directors for the Annie’s Project and Iowa Women in Agriculture non-profits. She received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, and the Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area Award from USDA. Madeline earned degrees in economics and business from Iowa State University.

Luci Sheriff is a true city girl turned farm girl. She found her place in her corn and soybean operation, right alongside her husband, Levi. You will find her in the grain cart shuttling grain out of the field. Due to the seasonal nature of farming, the typical off-farm job was difficult to navigate. Substitute teaching is a perfect fit. As a substitute teacher, she’s able to share her passion for agriculture with students. As her passion for agriculture grew, she found the sweet spot connecting with FFA members. Serving on the Cerro Gordo Co Farm Bureau board, she has been provided many opportunities to connect with young people. Luci loves showing students that you don't have to grow up on a farm to find your place in farming. We all start somewhere. 

Brenda Shultz took her poultry farm background to Iowa State University then to Pioneer. She wore many hats with the company from working in research fields to becoming a team leader. She especially enjoys the employee coaching role. Brenda still loves being a part of her family’s capon business and is passionate about agriculture and meeting wonderful people in the industry.

Janette Smith is the Senior Key Account Advisor for Landus. She has experience originating grain, creating marketing plans with farmers, and leading within the agricultural industry. Her previous roles with West Central Cooperative included regional manager, senior marketing specialist, grain operations manager, agronomy sales/marketing manager, and location manager. Janette graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with an AAS in Agribusiness. To further her skills, she earned her Board of Trade certification in 1998, certificate from Purdue University in Strategic Agri Marketing in 2003, and completed the University of Missouri - Columbia, Institute of Cooperative Leadership program in 2014.

Alexis Stevens is Director of Farm Operations for Momentis Family Office, overseeing a 13,000-acre agricultural portfolio in eastern Nebraska and leading the Carson family’s transition toward regenerative agriculture. Her work includes implementing cover crops and no-till systems, developing regenerative lease structures, and integrating specialty crops and livestock into broader land-stewardship initiatives.

Previously a Farm Management Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Alexis is a Certified Farm Succession Coordinator, USDA grant reviewer, and member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. She has presented internationally on regenerative farming, AI and cyber security in agriculture and brings experience in farm business management, conservation, succession planning, and Women in Ag programming. An Army veteran, she holds a B.S. in Psychology and an MBA and lives in Jefferson, Iowa, with her husband, Chad, and their 10 children.