How to Engage and Empower Young Leaders: Best Practices from Youth Organization CEOs

Discover proven strategies from agricultural youth organization CEOs on how to effectively engage and empower young leaders. This panel will provide county and state Farm Bureau leaders with actionable best practices to foster youth involvement and strengthen membership and leadership pipelines for sustainable growth.

Speakers:

• Jill Bramble, President and CEO, 4-H
• Mark Stewart, President and CEO, AFA
• Scott Stump, CEO, FFA
• Ebony Webber, CEO, MANRRS

Moderator:

• Jessica Cabrera, Managing Director of Member Engagement, AFBF

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Speaker Details:

Jill Bramble

Jill Bramble, President and CEO of National 4-H Council, is a testament to the transformative power of youth development. Her journey, from 4-H club member in rural Maryland to leading the national organization, has been fueled by her deep belief in the program’s ability to shape tomorrow’s leaders. A belief that was further solidified as she watched her children thrive through 4-H.  

Under her leadership, 4-H is expanding career readiness and mental health programs, while mobilizing its 35-million-strong alumni network. The Beyond Ready initiative will help 10 million young people find the inspiration and tools necessary to develop essential skills for the future. Collaborating closely with Cooperative Extension leaders and educators across the nation, Jill is passionate and diligent to make sure 4-H remains relevant and impactful in a rapidly changing landscape where 85% of future jobs are yet to be defined. Her vision centers on supporting youth on every level, empowering them to become the leaders the world needs today.

Mark Stewart

Mark Stewart is the President and CEO of Agriculture Future of America (AFA), overseeing external relationships and strategic planning. He joined AFA in June 2011 as director of development and communications and became President and CEO in 2017. Previously, Mark was director of development and communications for the Don Bosco Centers in Kansas City, Missouri, and vice president of Hartsook Companies, Inc. He has held development roles at Avila University and Northwest Missouri State University.

Mark holds a B.S. and M.B.A. from Northwest Missouri State University and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri. He serves on the Board of Directors for the American Royal Association and Together We Grow and is a Farm Foundation Round Table Fellow. Mark lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with his wife Megan and their four daughters.

Scott Stump

Chief Executive Officer Scott Stump leads the National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Prior to this role, Stump served as assistant secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education within the United States Department of Education. Previously, Stump was chief operating officer with Vivayic Inc.

Before joining Vivayic, Stump was assistant provost and state director for career and technical education (CTE) with the Colorado Community College System. Over his tenure with the system, Stump served as state FFA advisor, agriculture program director, and interim president of Northeastern Junior College.

While state CTE director, Stump served as an officer for Advance CTE. Through this role, he served on the National SkillsUSA Board of Directors as the Advance CTE liaison. Stump received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University. He began his career teaching agricultural education and biology. His experience also includes managing the National FFA Officers and the National FFA Convention.

Ebony Webber

Mrs. Webber has spent the past 22 years transforming MANRRS into a nationally recognized organization. She focuses on driving innovation while building enriching programs that connect students and professionals and support their leadership development. Ebony hails from a rural town in the Mississippi Delta, earned her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Stillman College, and holds a certification in Technology Management along with an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Jessica Cabrera

Jessica Cabrera is the Managing Director of Member Engagement for American Farm Bureau. She holds a BA from Clemson University and a M.Ed. in Adult Education and Human Resource Studies from Colorado State University. In her role at AFBF, Jessica manages the development and implementation of individual member engagement programs including the young farmers & ranchers, women’s leadership and promotion & education committees and programs, in addition to other projects and initiatives. Jessica is a relationship-builder with a strong passion for agriculture. She has years of experience as a dynamic leader and contributor, helping to move organizations forward by increasing member engagement, implementing innovative programming, and launching meaningful organizational initiatives. With a strong commitment to purpose, Jessica strives to equip others to excel in all that they do.

Jessica is also the President of the South Carolina Association for Talent Development and a Co-Facilitator and Advisory Board Member for Palmetto-LEAF, a professional agricultural leadership development program through Clemson University. She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and a current student of the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) hosted by the United States Chamber of Commerce.

A mother of two boys, Jessica and her husband enjoy being outdoors, volunteering at church, and watching Clemson football. Every time they eat a meal, they thank God for those who grew the food on their plate.