Future Leader Alumni Testimonials
AIARD established the Future Leaders Forum Fellowship program in 1997 to help educate the next generation of leaders in international agriculture and rural development. The inaugural AIARD Student Scholarship Program brought seven outstanding students to Washington, DC. In 2005, the program expanded to become the Future Leaders Forum
Since 1997, nearly 200 students from the United States and abroad have participated in the Future Leaders Forum Fellowship Program. Many have gone on to not only be leaders in agriculture and rural development and hunger alleviation, but many have gone on to become leaders in our association.
Since 1997, nearly 200 students from the United States and abroad have participated in the Future Leaders Forum Fellowship Program. Many have gone on to not only be leaders in agriculture and rural development and hunger alleviation, but many have gone on to become leaders in our association.
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Testimonials
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Christian Man
2017 AIARD Future Leader Scholar, Pennsylvania State University Christian reflected on his experiences after attending 2018 AIARD's Annual Conference for the third time in the blog of the PennState's INTAD (International Agriculture and Graduate Development) Program and summarized them as follows: "1. AIARD prioritizes the next generation of development professionals. 2. AIARD’s diversity prompts illustrations of how to talk effectively about your work. 3. AIARD creates space for employers to get to know you." Read more about Christian's experience and what led him to these conclusions in his blog post. Victoria Barth
2015 AIARD Future Leader Scholar, Washington State University "This experience has changed my life, my career, and my perspective on the international agricultural development world—in the best way possible. The FLF allows for students to finally ask the ‘simple’ questions that they have desired to get the answers to. It also allowed me to meet some of my heroes in the industry and see what working in the many facets of international development looks like. It is an incredible experience that is bested by none. Thank you for allowing me to grow in my professional network and skill set!" Christopher Bielecki
2013 AIARD Future Leader Scholar, Texas A&M University Currently Deputy Director of the Agricultural Trade Office in Beijing, China at USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) "It’s hard to put into words how incredibly empowering, enlightening, and inclusive the Future Leaders Forum experience was for me... I have to say that AIARD over delivered on its promise to the 2013 Future Leaders Scholars. This should be taken as an enormous compliment. The Future Leaders Forum was not a sideshow. We were not token scholarship recipients who were simply awarded funding to attend a conference. As young professionals we were not expected to sit back, watch, and learn passively from the seasoned professionals. These types of arrangements are common in academia and other professional associations. Scholarship programs like these increase diversity of those attending, but they have limited impact. With AIARD and the Future Leaders Forum, not only were we expected to fully participate, but in fact, we were the primary attraction!" Divina Rodrigez
2012 AIARD Future Leader Scholar, University of Illinois Currently Researcher at NIBIO Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research "I believe that the AIARD meetings and Future Leaders Forum succeeded in facilitating career visioning and networking to students. The visit to different organizations and meeting people active in international agriculture and rural development is truly a great experience. I should say this is the best part of the forum. Indeed, this activity provided opportunities for us, future leaders, to further build our social network for future career opportunities." |
Kashi Kafle
2015 AIARD Future Leader Scholar, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at UN, IFAD "Participation at the Future Leader Forum served as a turning point in my professional career. The AIARD conference and visits to the topnotch research institutions, leading consulting firms, and several other organizations were probably the best part but the lasting impact I had during these 3 days was incomparable to anything. Overall, the forum exposed me to both the opportunities and challenges in international agricultural development and provided more reasons to do even more of what I have been doing. It truly was a 'once in lifetime' opportunity for me." Rob Norris
2013 AIARD Future Leader Scholar, Virginia Tech University Currently Head Grower, 80 Acres Farm" Though the conference presentations were educational and enthusiastic, my favorite aspect of the conference was the opportunity to “rub elbows” with important players in the industry. In addition, us Future Leaders bonded well, which I anticipate will be beneficial in the future. Networking at the AIARD conference was to me the most valuable aspect of the entire event." Dana James
2013 AIARD Future Leader Scholar, Pennsylvania State University Currently a PhD Student at The University of British Columbia "It was fantastic to get career advice from those involved at each place, and not many development students are lucky enough to have that sort of opportunity." Ariel Rivers
2012 AIARD Future Leader Scholar, c Currently Program Manager for the Global Locust Initiative (GLI) at Arizona State University "The conference provided me with far more information and motivation than I could have expected, and at an ideal time for my own professional development." |
