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Keynote Speaker Profile

Leona Dargis http://www.leonadargis.com

2011 Canadian Nuffield Scholar

Biography - This Canadian award-winning Olds College student is

passionate about agriculture and life. Leona has struck a perfect

balance in applying the time-honoured principles she learned within

her farming family roots. Her parents, the late Jean & Joanne Dargis,

taught their five daughters the powerful combination of education

and enthusiasm in moving not only the agricultural industry forward

but in truly living life to its’ fullest.

2007 was a big year for Leona. She graduated with a Bachelor of

Applied Science in Agribusiness from Olds College and without

skipping a beat her leadership role expanded from provincial to

international. Today she respectfully represents future young leaders

from around the world as an elected Next Generation (NG) Trustee for the Royal Agricultural Society of the

Commonwealth (RASC) where she has the honour of working with the President of the association, Her Royal

Highness Princess Anne. Leona embraces the dynamics within leadership, enjoys experiencing cultural authenticity

and is spontaneously creative in making the people around her feel empowered in achieving their dreams.

Still in her twenties, Leona is known as an accomplished world traveler. She lives with an outgoing and entertaining

zest of life. Her keynote presentations are as genuine as they are inspirational. Her secret is to appreciate everything

life has to offer and to always have fun.

Speaking Notes

Overview - After the passing of her parents in 2007, Leona along with her four younger sisters succeeded their mixed

farming operation of 4,000 head and 7,000 acres; all the while continuing to pursue their education. As an Agri-

Business graduate of Olds College AB, Leona has developed her leadership skills and gained knowledge, as well as

connections, within the agricultural industry of Western Canada. In 2011, her application was successful in receiving

one of three prestigious Canadian Nuffield Scholarships. This enabled her to study the topic of succession planning

and farm diversification around the world. She traveled to countries such as: India, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand

and the United Kingdom. Her most recent trip to Africa gave her a hands-on experience which she treasures most.

Today, Leona’s role as a keynote speaker grows. She leads by setting an example and will share her experiences which

exemplify how to take unimaginable change, adapt to it and succeed. Her heartfelt and very realistic perspective is

sure to capture her audiences and offer a unique reflective experience. Be certain that this young ‘change maker’ will

continue to influence all those who find themselves crossing paths with her!

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Speaking Engagements

Upcoming Events – Eastern Manitoba Holstein Club' Dairy Seminar 2014, Ontario Soil & Crop

Improvement Association 2014, FarmTech 2014

2013 Global 4-H Youth Ag Summit, Calgary AB

New Zealand – NZ Community Boards Conference, Hastings DC, National NZ Women’s Conference

Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) Annual Conference in Penticton, BC

AgChoices in Camrose, AB

Manitoba AgDays in Brandon, MB

Farm Ladies Round Table Winter Retreat, Olds AB

2012 Zambia - RASC Next Generation Forum Speaker

USA - International Association of Fairs and Expositions in Las Vegas, Nevada

Foraging into the Future 7 in Swift Current, SK

Potato Growers of Alberta Conference & Trade Show in Red Deer, AB

Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference in Winnipeg, MB & more

Australia - Sydney Royal Easter Show Official Opening Spouse & Partners’ Lunch, Careers in Ag Day Seminars

Speaker, The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl International Judge

FeedRite AGM in South Beach, MB Sponsored by Bio-Agri Mix

Manitoba AgDays in Brandon, MB & more

2011 Australia - Women in the Pastoral Industry Career Workshop, RAS of NSW Speaker, ASC Youth Group

Charity Ball Guest Speaker

USA - Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Training Seminar

BDO Canada - 13 Locations Client Seminar Series (Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario) ‘Adapting to Change’

Agri-Trend Farm Forum Event in Saskatoon, SK & more

2010 Scotland - RASC Commonwealth Agricultural Conference

2008 Alberta Beef Industry Conference, Olds College ’Jean & Joanne Dargis Memorial’ Student Bursary

New Zealand - RASC Next Generation Forum Speaker

Olds College Graduation Keynote Speaker, Olds College Board of Governors’ Guest Speaker

Contact Information

Mobile: +1 (780) 646-2161

Email: leona21d@hotmail.com

Twitter: @leonadargis

Website: www.leonadargis.com

“Life is what you make it!”