A leadership path of their own
Trio of women leaders have forged their own path in agriculture. Learn what experiences have shaped their careers.
Women play critical, changing role in potato industry
When Addie Waxman began her 37-year career in agriculture, the cultural landscape looked a bit different.
“When I started in the industry in 1989, there weren’t many women in agriculture, let alone in management roles,” she said. “I was one of the first females to join J.R. Simplot as a food scientist.”
Now McCain Foods North America storage manager, Waxman has also served as McCain’s manager of agronomy and as global director of research and development for 1,4GROUP. Named Spudman’s 2017 Spudwoman of the Year, Waxman has spent decades breaking ground while forging connections.
Waxman joined two other industry trailblazers at Potato Expo 2026 in January to discuss the evolving role of women in agriculture. The trio shared insights and experiences in “From Field to Future: Women Transforming the Potato Industry,” a roundtable hosted by Spudman. Waxman was joined onstage at the expo by Laurie Widdowson, CSS Farms senior director of global markets and external marketing, and Kelly Turner, Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) executive director.
Global perspective
The roundtable took on added significance in 2026, declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer by the United Nations General Assembly. A February 2024 UN resolution aimed to increase awareness of the crucial role that women farmers around the world play in agrifood systems.
According to a 2024 FAO report, despite comprising 39% percent of the global agricultural labor force, women earn 18.4% less on average than men in wage employment in agriculture — or 82 cents for every dollar. Worldwide, women encounter significant discrimination, including challenges in land and livestock ownership, access to quality and secure jobs, equitable pay, participation in decision-making processes, and accessing credit and financial services, the report found.
“Women play critical roles in agrifood systems worldwide, yet still face barriers related to access to land, capital, resources and leadership opportunities,” Turner said. “Meaningful progress requires intentional action — supportive policies, strong mentorship networks and an industry culture that actively encourages women to step into leadership roles.”
Striking a balance
Each of the panelists navigated their own path to leadership positions.
For 11 years, Widdowson has done a bit of everything at CSS Farms, a vertically integrated farming company in Kearney, Nebraska, that has provided potato chip processors nationwide with high-quality chipping potatoes for two decades.
“There have been times when I was the only woman in the room, and early in my career I often felt pressure to prove I belonged,” she said. “Over time, I learned to lean into preparation, authenticity and relationship‑building. Those experiences strengthened my voice and clarified my leadership style, and they reinforced for me how critical mentorship is for emerging professionals.”
Turner, named Spudman’s 2024 Spudwoman of the Year, has led MPIC since 2019. She grew up on a central Michigan farm, baling hay beside her father, and her career included 11 years with the Michigan Farm Bureau.
“What drew me to the potato industry was the people and the innovation,” Turner said. “Potatoes are a highly collaborative crop, and in Michigan — America’s leading chipping potato state — the work we do has national reach and real impact.”
Like Widdowson, Turner has felt added pressure as her role in that work grew.
“Leadership spaces in our industry have historically been male-dominated, and women often have to be intentional about finding their voice and claiming a seat at the table,” Turner said. “Earning trust and credibility can take time, and it often requires showing up consistently and being prepared to back up decisions with data and results.”
Women also often juggle personal family demands with professional responsibilities. “The phrase ‘work-life balance’ wasn’t around when I began my career in ag,” Waxman said. “Even today, I question whether work-life balance can be achieved. On a daily basis, one aspect of your life will take precedence over the other. As long as your work doesn’t consistently overrule your personal life, or vice versa, then the balancing act between work and life is a daily re-evaluation of what is important or required for that day.”
Turner and Widdowson both noted the toll the long hours and frequent travel the ag industry requires can take. “Agriculture doesn’t run on a 9-to‑5 schedule. Balancing travel, seasonal demands and family commitments requires intentionality,” Widdowson said. “I’ve learned to be realistic about bandwidth, surround myself with supportive people and set boundaries that allow me to be fully present both at work and at home.
“It’s not always perfect, but it’s the lifestyle I love, and one I try to model for younger women who are watching what leadership can look like.”
Challenge and rewards
Once seated at the decision-making table, women leaders bring distinct qualities to it, the panelists said.
“In my experience, women are naturals at networking,” Waxman said. “They seek deeper personal connections that help develop positive and lasting professional connections.”
Widdowson agreed: “Women often excel at building personal, trust‑based networks, which is vital in an industry where relationships drive collaboration, problem-solving and long‑term success. As the industry has evolved, women have taken on broader and more strategic roles, often wearing multiple hats across operations, leadership, communication and community engagement.
“What remains constant is the intentionality women bring: an ability to connect dots, foster collaboration and strengthen culture within organizations.”
That process can have challenges. The panelists said female mentors were scarce in the early stages of their careers, while Waxman said women can be their own harshest critics.
“When applying for raises, promotions or new roles, I think that many women believe they have to have every box checked off the list,” she said. “This concept of perfection holds back many women from applying for a role they could grow into.”
The trio also agreed on a main motivator to overcome challenges and achieve industry success: “I remain motivated to stay in the potato industry because of the people,” Waxman said. “This industry has become a large extended family to me. I’ve made connections that have remained strong for decades.”
Turner said collaborating with growers “who are resilient, forward-thinking and deeply invested in producing a high-quality crop” is the most rewarding part of her work, along with “the satisfaction of seeing research investments turn into practical outcomes — better varieties, improved storage practices and stronger market opportunities that directly benefit farm families.”
Widdowson keeps pushing forward with a focus on those following in her footsteps. “I’m inspired every day by growers who innovate, adapt and commit themselves to producing high‑quality potatoes despite challenges,” she said. “Their resilience motivates me to keep advocating for research, technology and leadership development that supports them.
“Perhaps most importantly, I’m driven by the next generation. Whether it’s through mentorship, community involvement or championing youth programs, I want to make sure agriculture remains strong, vibrant and full of opportunity for those who will carry it forward. Investing in people is one of the most meaningful contributions we can make to our industry’s future.”