Voices in Advocacy Podcast

Freedom and Opportunity: Why it is Important to Be Informed

Today’s guest is an author, leader, mission driven executive, podcaster, and an unabashed advocate for the future of agriculture and the people that educate those that feed us. 
ABOUT the GUEST
 Aaron Alejandro is Executive Director of the Texas FFA Foundation located in Austin, Texas. In his non-professional hours, Aaron consults with businesses, organizations, education, and youth clubs about ways to improve organizational and individual performance. He has more than 30+ years of experience in management, personal and professional training. As an inspirational speaker, his unique style of delivery transcends all age groups and corporate cultures offering a clear message of personal dynamics for success. 
In his position with the Texas FFA Foundation, Aaron has established relationships with sponsors and individuals resulting in significant stakeholder engagement. With more than 270,000 students enrolled in agricultural science courses and Texas FFA membership with more than 170,000+ members, Aaron’s efforts are bringing much needed “fuel” - in the form of sponsorships - to help make dreams come true. 
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Reflections on D Day and America's Future

"As we paused to look back four score, to honor and reflect on the brave allied soldiers that liberated a continent, my mind advanced to November evaluating the reality that lies ahead for America’s future.
I am battling to find the right words to express my concern for the governing institutions of our nation."
Commentary from Roger Rickard, President and Founder of Voices in Advocacy.
ABOUT our HOST 
Roger is the Founder & President of Voices in Advocacy®, author of 7 Actions of Highly Effective Advocates and host of the Voices in Advocacy® Podcast. He has more than 30 years of experience as an advocacy professional.  As a recognized expert in advocacy engagement and grassroots activation, Roger works with a wide cross-section of organizations from diverse industries. His vibrant personality and a good sense of humor make for engaging and interactive programming that is packaged and delivered in an easy to understand, easy to apply format combining his education, experience, and enthusiasm to drive advocacy success.
Successful Meetings Magazine named Roger one of the Six People Worth Watching. Meetings Focus Magazine named him to their inaugural list of Meetings Trendsetters, and Connect Magazine named Roger to their inaugural Class of 15 over 50 influencers.
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Complimentary Partnerships Drive Advocacy Support for Patients and Families

Running a medical association comes with many challenges. Today’s guest confronts these challenges head on while leading this community with advocacy in an ever-changing world.
"The voices of those affected by cleft and craniofacial conditions are really the strongest in the room, without a doubt." - Adam Levy, CAE
ABOUT the GUEST
Adam Levy is the Executive Director of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association. An experienced association executive and career nonprofit professional, Adam previously served as the Deputy and Interim Executive Director of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, and held roles at the National Restaurant Association, and SmithBucklin. He serves on the Board of Directors of Association Executives of North Carolina, and the Small Staff Associations Advisory Committee of ASAE. Adam was a recipient of Association Forum’s “Forty Under 40” award in 2022, and holds his CAE from ASAE. Adam is passionate about healthcare access and equity, in addition to mentorship and leadership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Indiana University and completed the Strategic Leadership Program at Northwestern University. A native Chicagoan and Michael Jordan devotee, Adam lives in Chapel Hill with his wife and twin daughters, and their loving rescue dog, Mason.
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Raising Voices: How Storytelling Fights for the Silent Majority

Nine years ago, life threw our next guest a curve ball when she learned during her pregnancy that her baby would be born with a facial birth defect. Come with us as we learn about her fascinating journey that has led her to help other families by speaking out as an author and advocate.
ABOUT the GUEST
Amy Mendillo, MM, MPP, is a writer, author, and advocate. She has worked as a consultant on state-level (RI) Medicaid and social service issues, an advocate for local- and city-level policy, and as a writer-editor for the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Brown University. 
Amy started as a professional classical musician, studying oboe at the Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University. Described as “prodigious” by the Chicago Tribune, Amy played in professional symphony orchestras in Chicago, Milwaukee, and New York City, then taught music at Brown University for ten years.
A proud cleft parent and adoptive parent, Amy lives with her family in Providence, RI.
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Learn of the Important Advocacy Issues Fought on Behalf of People with Muscular Dystrophy

Join us as we explore the importance of advocating with today’s guest - the Director of Advocacy Engagement for the well-known organization – who is committed to supporting policies and initiatives that make a positive impact on the lives of children and adults living with neuromuscular diseases.  
ABOUT the GUEST
Mark Fisher is the Director of Advocacy Engagement at the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In this role, Mark leads MDA’s grassroots program and advocacy volunteer efforts. He works to empower advocates and connect them with key decisionmakers in order to advance public policies that improve the lives of the neuromuscular disease community. He previously served as the Digital Grassroots Manager at the American Heart Association and was also a field organizer on a U.S. Senate campaign. Mark earned his Master of Public Policy from American University and is originally from Pittsburgh, PA.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

From Advocacy to Action: Driving Growth in the Distilled Spirits Sector

Today we speak to the leader of an organization that has received more than $250 million dollars voluntarily from the nation’s leading distillers to fight drunk driving and underage drinking and promote responsible decisions about beverage alcohol. Stay tuned as we learn about their dedication to advocacy. 
 
ABOUT the GUEST
Chris Swonger serves as the President & CEO of both the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and Responsibility.org. Responsibility.org was founded in 1991 and has received more than $250 million dollars voluntarily from the nation’s leading distillers to fight drunk driving and underage drinking and promote responsible decisions about beverage alcohol. DISCUS is the leading voice for distilled spirits in the U.S. market and serves as the industry’s advocate in state capitals, the nation’s capital and foreign capitals around the globe.
Chris has extensive experience guiding corporations to lead in business while playing a positive role in communities through proactive engagement. In this capacity, Chris focuses on breaking down the traditional barriers that exist between corporations, non-government organizations and activist groups by facilitating consensus-based outcomes which are deliverable, actionable and measurable.
A native Texan, Chris received his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and lives in McLean, Virginia, with his wife Amy and their two sons Holden and Beckett Boone.
Chris’ favorite drink? Bourbon on the rocks.
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Why is it so Important for Young People to Be Engaged in Advocacy?

Today we speak to the leader of an organization that empowers young adults to advocate for higher education, health care, and economic policies. 
ABOUT the GUEST
Kristin McGuire is the Executive Director for Young Invincibles. Kristin assumes this role having most recently served as YI West Regional Director, where she empowered young adults to advocate for higher education, health care, and economic policies. Kristin brings years of community organizing and policy change expertise to her role as Executive Director. As a first-generation college student from a single-parent household – she is driven by a deep understanding of the needs of under-resourced communities and has helped shift power to young adults from these communities over the last decade.
Kristin’s accomplishments include shaping policies that do just that, such as the College Student Hunger Relief Act, the California Student Borrowers’ Bill of Rights, and the Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Act. Currently, Kristin is leading the national charge to cancel student debt. Keeping true to her commitment to civic engagement, Kristin is the first African-American elected to the school board in Covina. While very proud of her work, Kristin's most prized accomplishment is not her own, it is her mother’s, who integrated her school in Alabama at the age of seven. Kristin is a proud alumna of California State University Dominguez Hills, wife, mother, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Amazing Facts and Surprising Truths About Whistleblowers and The Law

Whistleblowers have been at the top of the news lately. Today’s special guest is the founder of the leading nonprofit dedicated to protecting and rewarding whistleblowers around the world. You do not want to miss this episode as we explore the importance of advocating for stronger whistleblower protection laws and educating the public about whistleblowers’ critical role in protecting democracy and the rule of law. 
 
ABOUT the GUEST
Stephen M. Kohn is a founder and Chairman of the Board at the National Whistleblower Center (NWC) and founding partner of Kohn, Kohn, and Colapinto LLP. Steve is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading qui tam and whistleblower attorneys, and is an active voice in the whistleblower community, having helped draft key whistleblower legislation and regulatory rules. Steve has led a handful of pro bono efforts, and is currently supporting the push to make National Whistleblower Day permanent via a Presidential Executive Order.   He is the author of the first legal treatise on whistleblowing and is the world’s most published author on whistleblower protection. His most recent book is Rules for Whistleblowers: A Handbook for Doing What’s Right (Lyons Press 2023).
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

We Speak to an Expert for the Well-known Organization Whose Mission is to Honor and Empower Wounded Warriors

Today’s guest is the Grassroots and Constituent expert for the well-known organization - whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Join us as we explore the importance of advocating for our wounded servicemen and women.
ABOUT the GUEST
Justin Beland serves as WWP’s Grassroots and Constituent Affairs Director where he utilizes 23 years of experience in grassroots advocacy, public policy, and creating innovative engagement strategies. He has previously worked on behalf of veterans at organizations like the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and the Children’s Hospital Association. In addition, Justin has designed government relations and grassroots campaigns for a broad range of issues that serve the public good. He worked with Congress to increase support of federal funding for prostate cancer research, increased access to treatment options for people with opioid addiction, and created a nationwide program led by the country’s Lieutenant Governors to increase heart health. He also serves on the Alexandria (Virginia) Commission on Persons with Disabilities, and the Alexandria Human Rights Commission. He earned a B.A. in Communications and a B.S. in English from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from George Mason University. He is a native of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a die-hard Red Sox fan.
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Advocating for the Arts: It is Important for Your Community

Today we speak to the CEO of an organization that is the influential, unified voice of the vibrant creative arts community in New Jersey. Stay tuned as we learn about their dedication to arts advocacy.
ABOUT the GUEST
As President & CEO, Adam Perle manages all ArtPride operations. He leads the senior management team and is responsible for resource development, as well as fiduciary oversight. Prior to joining ArtPride, Adam was the Vice President of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, where he led membership and tourism marketing efforts. During his time at the Chamber, Adam was a key part of the leadership team that doubled the size of the organization and was instrumental in the expansion of the Princeton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau. Before his work in the nonprofit sector, Adam worked on several political campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels.
Adam is a lover of Mark Rothko, 20th century American theatre, landscape photography, the blues, and New Orleans jazz. When he is not enjoying a New Jersey craft beer, or rooting for his beloved New York Giants, you can find Adam encouraging his two budding performers, Alexis and Marley. A lifelong New Jersey resident, Adam resides in Bridgewater with his wife, Mandi. The couple started dating at summer camp while they were opposing color war generals.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Political Influence and its Importance to the Family Farm and the Food We Consume

Our guest today is a farmer, and not just any farmer, Chris Hoffman is the President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and a member of the Board of Directors at the American Farm Bureau Federation. Join us as we explore the importance of advocating for our nation's food supply, after all its what's for dinner.
ABOUT the GUEST
Chris Hoffman owns and operates Lazy Hog Farm, a 1,400 sow farrow to wean, 4,800-head nursery barn and 4,400-head finishing barn located in Juniata and Mifflin counties, Pennsylvania. He also owns and operates Lazy Chick Farm, raising 250,000 chickens annually.
Hoffman was elected as the ninth President of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau in 2022. As President he also serves as the chair of the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation, a charitable organization supported by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. Additionally, Hoffman was elected to American Farm Bureau Federations Board of Directors in January of 2023.
Hoffman was selected to serve on Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s State Board of Directors in 2006, and was selected to serve on the board’s Executive Committee in 2008.
He was chosen to serve as Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Vice President in 2014. In 2013, Hoffman was selected to lead a new committee within Pennsylvania Farm Bureau—the Agriculture Promotion Committee—which encourages local programs that engage consumers with agriculture, and also raises money for the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation.
He was appointed to chair the American Farm Bureau Federation Promotion & Education Committee in 2014. In 2015, he was elected by the state’s agricultural societies to the Board of Trustees at Penn State, the Commonwealth’s land grant university.
He previously chaired Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Management Advisory Board, and is a past board director of the Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council. He is also a member of PennAg Industries Association.
He and his wife, Selina, have four children and three grandchildren. Along with spending time with family, in his few hours of leisure time, Hoffman likes to golf, fish, hunt and play indoor soccer and flag football.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Interview: Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee on the Reauthorization of the Farm Bill and Constituent Engagement

Today we speak with the Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Congressman 'GT' Thompson. As we learn more about the FARM Bill and the importance of constituent engagement.
 
ABOUT the GUEST
Chairman Glenn 'GT' Thompson is the descendant of a long line of dairy farmers and lifelong resident of Howard Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, Thompson represents Pennsylvania’s Fifteenth District.
As a proud and active Member of the House Committee on Agriculture for more than a decade, Thompson formerly served as Ranking Member of the full committee during the 117th Congress and as Vice Chairman during the 116th Congress. He’s also served as Chairman of the Subcommittees on Conservation and Forestry and Nutrition, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.
Prior to being elected to Pennsylvania’s Fifteenth District, Thompson spent 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager, and a licensed nursing home administrator.
Thompson is a proud graduate of Penn State and Temple University, where he earned a B.S. and a Master of Education, respectively. He and his wife, Penny Ammerman-Thompson, have three adult sons; Parker, Logan, and Kale, and two grandchildren; Noem and Gabriel.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

One of Our Most Precious Freedoms is Our Ability to Cast a Ballot, to Vote.

Today I will speak about self-advocacy. Self-advocacy through voting.
In the United States of America what could be more important than our freedom? One of our most precious freedoms is our ability to cast a ballot, to vote. 
We have the right and privilege to participate in our government, to set a course for tomorrow.
I’m Roger Rickard and I approve this message.
 

Advocacy Engagement - If You Don’t, Someone Else Will

Today we speak to the CEO of an organization that is the influential, unified voice of the travel and tourism industry in California, which supports 1.22 million jobs and $12.2 billion in state and local taxes. Stay tuned as we learn about their advocacy efforts for the California travel industry. 
 
ABOUT the GUEST
California Travel Association (CalTravel) is the influential, unified voice of the travel and tourism industry in California. As President and CEO, Barb Newton is responsible for leading the organization to protect and advance travel and tourism’s interests through advocacy, collaboration, and education. 
Prior to joining CalTravel in 2014, she was President of Sunset Publishing, a diversified publishing company based on the leading media brand in the West. Under her leadership, Sunset launched and grew award-winning California events, an international wine competition, new digital travel tools and partnerships with many California travel and tourism organizations and businesses. 
She came to Sunset from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she was President of Reiman Media Group, a Midwestern lifestyle media company that included an international tours company and travel magazine. She began her career at Rodale, Inc., where she rose to SVP Managing Director of Women’s Heath Worldwide. Newton has also consulted on strategic planning and business development for clients such as National Geographic, AAA, General Mills, Time Inc., Rodale Inc. and Reader’s Digest. 
Newton serves on the boards of U.S. Travel, Education Week, CSU Hospitality and Tourism Alliance, and the Cal Poly EIM Advisory Board, and has a BA and MA from Lehigh University. She and her husband Jeff have two children and live in Woodside, California with their beach-loving border collie.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Need an MBA? How Cattlemen’s Beef group provides the Masters of Beef Advocacy

Need an MBA?  How Cattlemen's Beef group provides the Masters of Beef Advocacy. Today we speak the Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Spokesperson Development for an organization that began in 1898 representing the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry. Stay tuned as we learn about their advocacy efforts for more than 1,000,000 cattle farmers and ranchers.
 
ABOUT the GUEST
Chandler Mulvaney is the Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Spokesperson Development for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Chandler works to empower beef community members to be more engaged in sharing their story, while developing key spokespeople who can confidently represent the beef industry on social media, in everyday conversations, or in-front of a camera. 
Upon graduation from Auburn University with a bachelor’s in agriculture communication, Chandler began working in Ghana and Uganda for two years as an extension agent, promoting youth development through involvement in 4-H and sound farming practices.
After returning to the United States, Chandler completed his Master of Science in Agricultural Education from the University of Georgia before relocating to the University of Florida, working as an extension agent for two years.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

What is Too Much or Too Little to Have in Your Legislation? Learn more from this AG CEO.

What is Too Much or Too Little to Have in Your Legislation? This and many more fabulous advocacy tips are shared as we speak with the CEO of an organization that defends and protects the ecosystem beneficial to the success of wheat growers in the United States.
 
ABOUT the GUEST
Chandler Goule is NAWG’s Chief Executive Officer, coming into that role in July of 2016. In this capacity, Chandler will oversee NAWG’s industry relations, act as Executive Director of the National Wheat Foundation, and lead NAWG’s efforts to advocate for American wheat farmers.
Prior to his position at NAWG, Chandler served as the Sr. Vice President of Programs for the National Farmers Union for several years. Goule also formerly served as the staff director of the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry for the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture under former chairman Rep. Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn. Peterson is a member of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats Coalition.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

The Future of Agriculture Advocacy is in Good Hands with this Former National Officer of the National FFA

The Future of Agriculture Advocacy is in Good Hands with this Former National Officer of the National FFA.
Today we speak an advocate who has been engaged as a national leader of an organization that has over 760,000 members with over 8800 chapters. It is among the largest youth organizations and the largest career and technical student organization in the United States. The National FFA Organization, known to many as the Future Farmers of America.
ABOUT the GUEST
Kourtney Lehman is a Former National Officer of National FFA. She grew up farming in western Idaho and eastern Oregon and is a recent graduate of Oregon State University studying Agricultural Business Management with a Leadership minor. Post-graduation she will be attending law school at the University of Florida. Kourtney served as the 2017-2018 Oregon FFA State President and the 2019-2020 National FFA Secretary.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Using Leadership Development Programs to Create Today’s Advocates and Tomorrow’s Leaders at the American Soybean Association

Today we speak the Executive Director of Government Affairs for an organization has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean producing states. Stay tuned as we learn about their advocacy efforts for more than 500,000 soybean farmers.
ABOUT the GUEST
As Executive Director of Government Affairs, Christy Seyfert leads the American Soybean Association’s Washington, D.C., office. In this role, she directs and implements policy strategy and manages policy staff. The organization has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean producing states and more than 500,000 soybean farmers. She joined ASA in October 2019.
Prior to joining ASA, Seyfert held roles in both the private sector and federal government related to public policy and agriculture.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Advocates Don’t Volunteer Unless They Truly Believe It’s Going to Make the World a Better Place

Do you know what 340B program is? If you said no, you are not alone. Today we speak with the National Advocacy Manager of Community Voices 340B. Come with me as we learn more.
ABOUT the GUEST
Since 2017 Rhiannon Klein has been the National Advocacy Manager for Community Voices for 340B. Rhiannon began her career in Global HIV/AIDS advocacy as the government relations intern for the ONE Campaign in Washington D.C.  She lives in Lansing, Michigan with her husband and young daughter. Rhiannon grew up in Anchorage, Alaska.
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Why advocating for the vital and necessary crop protection is so important to American farmers.

Today’s guest represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. Come with me as we learn more.
 
ABOUT the GUEST
Chris Novak is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CropLife America (CLA).  CLA’s member companies produce, sell and distribute virtually all of the vital and necessary crop protection and biotechnology products used by American farmers. Novak joined CLA in August 2018. 
Prior to joining CLA, Novak was the Chief Executive Officer of the National Corn Growers Association, a grower-led trade association with offices in St. Louis and Washington. 
 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Gun Violence - An Epidemic in America

Normally this podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy. Today the show is dedicated to the act of advocacy. Today’s show is an editorial on gun violence in light of the all too familiar recent events.
This is an editorial by Roger Rickard, the opinions expressed our those of the host.
 
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

From Legislative Specialist to Chief Administrative Officer, we explore advocacy for the vital agriculture industry and the family farm..

Our guest began on the family farm growing cotton, tobacco, watermelon, and peanuts. He rose from Legislative Specialist to Chief Administrative Officer and shares the value of quality and quantity of grassroots farm advocacy.
 
ABOUT the GUEST
Jeffrey Harvey is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Companies.  In this role, Harvey works with the Farm Bureau President and senior leadership to develop and implement the Company’s strategic management plan.  Harvey oversees the day-to-day functions of the Company.
In 2001, he joined GFB as a Legislative Specialist and later served as Director of the organization’s Public Policy Department. 
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Fighting for Pro-Manufacturing Policies with the ”I Make America” Advocacy Campaign

This trade group which is 125 years old and has more than 1,000 member companies is the leading organization in North America advancing construction and agriculture equipment manufacturers in the global marketplace while using some unique programing to achieve their advocacy goals.
ABOUT the GUEST
Wade Balkonis is the Director, Grassroots Advocacy at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). A 125-year-old trade association, AEM consists of more than 1,000 member companies, representing 200+ product lines in the off-road agriculture, construction, mining, and forestry equipment industry. Wade is responsible for the 10+ year old I Make America campaign which advocates on behalf of the 2.8 million men and women of the industry. Prior to this position, Wade managed the PAC and grassroots programs for Walgreens and H&R Block, worked in constituent relations roles for a Member of Congress and the Mayor of the City of Milwaukee, and worked in Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCCP) for private industry.
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Learn how National FFA prepares young farmers to advocate for the future of the agriculture industry.

This organization has over 760,000 members with over 8800 chapters. It is among the largest youth organizations and the largest career and technical student organization in the United States. Today we speak with the Advocacy and Literacy Officer of the National FFA Organization, known to many as the Future Farmers of America.
ABOUT the GUEST
Celya McCullah Glowacki, the Advocacy and Literacy and Ag Based Experiences Manager at the National FFA Organization. Prior to joining National FFA, Celya was the state program leader for agriculture education at the Indiana Department of Education. She is a native of Oklahoma and graduate of Cornell with a Bs in Communication.  She is actively involved with the Miss Agriculture USA program, a non-profit that celebrates and promotes agriculture, where is she currently the National Elite Ms Agriculture USA. Celya is passionate about mentoring Native American and Indigenous youth as a member of the Cherokee tribe. And to add to all of this, she is an Emmy winner from her time at ESPN.
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This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates

Why Storytelling is a Powerful Tool in Advocacy Communication

On today’s show we talk with a distinguished professor of communications at the highly esteemed Carnegie Mellon University on the topic of Storytelling – which is recognized as an important component to a successful advocates’ meeting with elected officials. We speak with Ed Barr, Communications Coach for select master’s students at Carnegie Mellon University located in Pittsburgh, PA.
ABOUT the GUEST
Ed Barr is a Communications Coach for select master’s students at Carnegie Mellon University located in Pittsburgh, PA. Professor Barr has also taught at the Heinz College of Public policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University. He is the author of 101 Tips For Improving your Business Communication and two additional books on communications and marketing.
Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.
https://www.rapindex.com
 
This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.
Contact Voices In Advocacy at:
www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com
480 488-9150
At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better influential advocates