Established in 2012 in the USA and first run in New Orleans, The Women in Agribusiness Summit (WIA) is the premier and most significant global event dedicated to advancing women in the agricultural sector by fostering professional development, industry connections, and strategic insights that drive individual career growth and business success. Since its launch, the event has remained a transformative platform for women in agribusiness, not only in the USA but also globally. The WIA now features an annual event attended by over 1,000 delegates from more than 20 countries worldwide, an online community, regional MeetUps, and additional resources.
The mission of Women in Agribusiness (WIA) is to foster a community of professional women in the ag industry by providing opportunities through regular events and networking, enabling them to learn from one another, develop their careers, and form beneficial, strategic relationships that will elevate the sector through innovation and collaboration.
WIA’s ongoing commitment is to expand its reach, deepen its impact, and provide knowledge on emerging industry trends, challenges, and opportunities. The event continues as a transformative platform for women in agribusiness. By combining empowerment, exceptional networking, high-quality content, immersive experiences, and strategic partnerships, WIA has carved out a unique and impactful niche in the agribusiness sector, establishing itself as the gold standard for industry events.
The event has held fast in its position to uplift other women and provide a positive, engaging environment that fosters networking and knowledge-sharing. It has become a “movement” that sets the bar, yet is often presented as an agricultural/agribusiness event for women, rather than a women’s event in agriculture.
This event features delegates from various segments of the agribusiness sector, including farmers, financial institutions, marketing companies, and other stakeholders. Over 50% of the delegates hold C-level management positions, making the WIA a true powerhouse of female leadership in the agricultural sector.
One of the WIA’s significant initiatives is the Student Scholarship program, which enables over 25+ female students each year to attend the event. To date, more than 400 young women in agribusiness, from undergraduate to master’s and Ph.D. levels, have benefited from the knowledge and connections gained by attending the annual Women in Agribusiness Summit through this scholarship program. In total, approximately $1.4 million in student scholarships has been awarded over the last 14 years.
Additionally, the WIA’s Demeter Award of Excellence annually recognizes exceptional female leaders who have made significant contributions to the agribusiness sector through innovation, leadership, and mentorship. Honoring top performers across various sectors, this award shines a spotlight on those who drive progress, foster inclusivity, and serve as role models for the next generation.
As part of its global expansion efforts, WIA is developing international cooperation by involving several partners worldwide, particularly in Brazil, where it collaborates with Sociedade Rural Brasileira (a 104-year-old association representing rural producers from all over Brazil) and the Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of São Paulo (FAESP), and others.
Additionally, WIA plans to launch global events in Europe and build a network of female leaders in agriculture while supporting women’s equality on an international level.