Overview


The inaugural IDFA Women’s Summit will celebrate and empower women in the dairy industry. The Summit will convene rising and established leaders to advance gender equality, bolster their leadership skills, advocate on behalf of dairy’s top policy priorities, and network.
IDFA is seeking attendees of diverse experience and background to participate in the IDFA Women’s Summit—the first event of its kind. Attendees will participate in sessions focused on practical strategies for better support women at all levels of dairy organizations, leadership development, mentorship, allyship, and advocacy. They will also spend a day on Capitol Hill meeting with policymakers and educating them about the impacts and importance of federal policies and programs.

At the IDFA Women’s Summit, we’re not just discussing change; we’re creating it. Together, we can shape a dairy industry that is more diverse, dynamic, and prosperous than ever before.
Limited spots are available for the event, so register today to secure your spot!
Presenting Sponsor
Agenda
March 18, 2024 | Event | Speaker | Location |
---|---|---|---|
5:00pm - 6:30pm |
Welcome Reception
|
The Westin Washington, DC Downtown Hotel | |
March 19, 2024 | Event | Speaker | Location |
8:00am - 8:30am |
Breakfast
|
Covington & Burling LLP | |
8:30am - 10:30am |
Program Session: Leadership Development
|
Covington & Burling LLP | |
10:30am - 10:45am |
Networking Break
|
Covington & Burling LLP | |
10:45am - 12:00pm |
Breakout Session
|
Covington & Burling LLP | |
12:00pm - 1:30pm |
Lunch with Guest Speaker
|
Covington & Burling LLP | |
1:30pm - 2:45pm |
Breakout Session
|
Covington & Burling LLP | |
2:45pm - 3:00pm |
Networking Break
|
Covington & Burling LLP | |
3:00pm - 4:15pm |
Breakout Session
|
Covington & Burling LLP | |
4:15pm - 5:45pm |
Program Session: Lobbying 101
|
Covington & Burling LLP | |
6:30pm - 8:30pm |
Reception & Dinner with Guest Speaker: Ashley Ellixson, United Dairymen of Arizona
Women in Dairy are frequently juggling leadership responsibilities at work, often while also keeping their homes and families running. Join a candid discussion with a Women in Dairy leader who is a leading Chief Operating Officer while also balancing life demands at home and hear her lessons learned while continuing the conversation on IDFA’s newly released State of Women in Dairy Report and its recommendations for industry changes. Speaker: Ashley Ellixson, Chief Business Operations Officer, United Dairymen of Arizona |
The Metropolitan Club | |
March 20, 2024 | Event | Speaker | Location |
8:00am - 9:00am |
Breakfast with Guest Speaker
|
Capitol Hill Club | |
9:00am - 9:30am |
Advocacy Briefing
|
Capitol Hill Club | |
9:30am - 11:30am |
Morning Hill or Administration Meetings
|
Capitol Hill | |
11:30am - 12:00pm |
Women’s Summit Photo
|
U.S. Capitol Steps | |
12:00pm - 1:30pm |
Lunch with Guest Speaker
|
Capitol Hill Club | |
2:00pm - 4:00pm |
Morning Hill or Administration Meetings
|
Capitol Hill |
Reception & Dinner with Guest Speaker: Ashley Ellixson, United Dairymen of Arizona
Women in Dairy are frequently juggling leadership responsibilities at work, often while also keeping their homes and families running. Join a candid discussion with a Women in Dairy leader who is a leading Chief Operating Officer while also balancing life demands at home and hear her lessons learned while continuing the conversation on IDFA’s newly released State of Women in Dairy Report and its recommendations for industry changes.
Speaker: Ashley Ellixson, Chief Business Operations Officer, United Dairymen of Arizona

Ashley Ellixson
Ashley Ellixson is the Chief Business Operations Officer at United Dairymen of Arizona.
After completing a B.S. in Business Finance at Arizona State University, she attended Texas Tech University School of Law where she received a J.D. with a certificate of Science, Engineering, and Technology Law before moving on to receive an LL.M. in Agricultural and Food Law from University of Arkansas School of Law.
Ashley currently serves on committees and task forces for the Innovation Center for U.S Dairy, National Milk Producers Federation as well as the International Dairy Foods Association.
Ashley’s love and passion for the dairy industry stems from being born and raised on her family’s dairy in Gilbert, Arizona.
Speakers

Ashley Ellixson
Chief Business Operations Officer, United Dairymen of Arizona

Ashley Ellixson
Ashley Ellixson is the Chief Business Operations Officer at United Dairymen of Arizona.
After completing a B.S. in Business Finance at Arizona State University, she attended Texas Tech University School of Law where she received a J.D. with a certificate of Science, Engineering, and Technology Law before moving on to receive an LL.M. in Agricultural and Food Law from University of Arkansas School of Law.
Ashley currently serves on committees and task forces for the Innovation Center for U.S Dairy, National Milk Producers Federation as well as the International Dairy Foods Association.
Ashley’s love and passion for the dairy industry stems from being born and raised on her family’s dairy in Gilbert, Arizona.
Hotel

The Westin Washington, DC Downtown
The IDFA Women’s Summit will be held at The Westin Washington, DC Downtown. You may make your hotel reservations online or directly with the hotel by calling (202) 898-9000. When calling, refer to the IDFA Women’s Summit to receive the special room rate of $379 per night plus applicable taxes. The deadline to secure a room is February 26, 2024.
Registration fees for IDFA Women’s Summit are based on your company's IDFA membership status. For more information about membership, please email membership@idfa.org.
Member: $749
Non-Members: $949
Registration Substitutions
Registration is non-transferable from one company to another; however, substitutions within companies are welcome at any time. Please email registrar@idfa.org if you would like to make a registration substitution.
Registration Cancellation Policy
Registration cancellations received in writing will be accepted prior to February 19, 2024 for a full refund, minus a $75 processing fee. Cancellations received after February 19, 2024, will be eligible for a 50 percent refund, less the processing fee. Your registration fee is non-refundable after March 4, 2024. Substitutions may be made without penalty. All cancellations and substitutions must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Questions: If you have questions or need assistance with the registration process, please contact IDFA at (202) 737-4332 or registrar@idfa.org.
Sponsors
The inaugural IDFA Women’s Summit will celebrate and empower women in the dairy industry. Spread across three days in the nation’s capital, the Summit will help female leaders grow and inspire others to gain the relationships and recognition they deserve for their professional and personal growth. The Summit will feature interactive and engaging programming focused on leadership development, mentorship, allyship, and advocacy.
Sponsorship is one of the best ways to demonstrate your business’s support for empowering women in the dairy industry. Each sponsor will be gratefully acknowledged on the IDFA Women’s Summit website and materials and will receive recognition leading up to, during, and post-event through IDFA’s marketing channels gaining visibility and respect among industry peers for your commitment to investing in the future of the dairy industry.
Please contact mlembke@idfa.org for more information.