Overview
The 2026 IDFA Women’s Summit will celebrate and empower women in the dairy industry. The Summit will convene rising and established leaders to continue building their leadership skills, advocate on behalf of dairy’s top policy priorities, and network, all while advancing gender equality.
IDFA is seeking attendees of diverse experiences and backgrounds to participate in the IDFA Women’s Summit. 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.
Registration will open in early November. Please check back soon!
Premier Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Agenda
*All Times Eastern Print Agenda
| March 23, 2026 | Event | Speaker | Location |
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| 12:00pm - 1:00pm |
Open Lunch
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Lunch on your own. Please dining and sightseeing recommendations tab for suggestions. |
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| 1:00pm - 1:15pm |
Welcome Remarks
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Conference Room 8 A+B, Steptoe LLP | |
| 1:15pm - 3:00pm |
The Disciplines of a Leader: Self-Management as the Foundation of Effective Leadership
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Conference Room 8 A+B, Steptoe LLP | |
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What makes a strong and effective leader? In this engaging, interactive workshop, you’ll discover the qualities that set great leaders apart and how you can strengthen them in your own journey. Together, we’ll explore six key leadership disciplines—from protecting your time and focusing on what matters most to delegating with confidence, leading with emotional intelligence, communicating with impact, and navigating tough ethical decisions. You’ll identify your strengths, uncover areas for growth, and build a personal roadmap to elevate your leadership. Join us ready to connect, reflect, and leave inspired with the tools to lead with confidence and authenticity. |
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| 1:00pm - 3:15pm |
Networking Break
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| 3:15pm - 5:00pm |
The Disciplines of a Leader: Self-Management as the Foundation of Effective Leadership (continued)
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Conference Room 8 A+B, Steptoe LLP | |
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What makes a strong and effective leader? In this engaging, interactive workshop, you’ll discover the qualities that set great leaders apart and how you can strengthen them in your own journey. Together, we’ll explore six key leadership disciplines—from protecting your time and focusing on what matters most to delegating with confidence, leading with emotional intelligence, communicating with impact, and navigating tough ethical decisions. You’ll identify your strengths, uncover areas for growth, and build a personal roadmap to elevate your leadership. Join us ready to connect, reflect, and leave inspired with the tools to lead with confidence and authenticity. |
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| 5:00pm - 6:30pm |
Rooftop Networking Reception
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9th Floor Bistro and Terrace, Steptoe LLP | |
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Open Dinner
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Dinner and sightseeing on your own. Please dining and sightseeing recommendations tab for suggestions. |
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| March 24, 2026 | Event | Speaker | Location |
| 7:30am - 8:30am |
Networking Breakfast
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| 8:30am - 9:30am |
Morning Session: Shawna Nelson, President & CEO of Organic Valley
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Conference Room 8 A+B, Steptoe LLP | |
| 9:30am - 9:45am |
Networking Break
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| 9:45am - 10:45am |
Morning Session: Julie Anna Potts, President & CEO of the Meat Institute
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Conference Room 8 A+B, Steptoe LLP | |
| 10:45am - 11:00am |
Networking Break
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| 11:00am - 12:00pm |
Breakout Sessions
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| 12:00pm - 1:15pm |
Lunch with Patti Smith, President & CEO of American Dairy Products Institute
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Conference Room 8 A+B, Steptoe LLP | |
| 1:15pm - 2:15pm |
Afternoon Session
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Conference Room 8 A+B, Steptoe LLP | |
| 2:15pm - 2:30pm |
Networking Break
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| 2:30pm - 3:30pm |
Advocacy Briefing
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Conference Room 8 A+B, Steptoe LLP | |
| 3:30pm - 4:30pm |
Afternoon Session
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Conference Room 8 A+B, Steptoe LLP | |
| 5:30pm - 7:30pm |
Reception & Dinner with Guest Speaker
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Sulgrave Club - 1801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW | |
| March 25, 2026 | Event | Speaker | Location |
| 8:30am - 9:30am |
Breakfast with Guest Speaker
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Eisenhower Room – Capitol Hill Club | |
| 9:30am - 11:30am |
Morning Workshop Session OR Meetings on Capitol Hill
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Speaker & California Rooms – Capitol Hill Club OR Capitol Hill | |
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Please note: Attendees will be divided into two groups with one group participating in sessions for the morning while the other group attends meetings with Administration officials or Members of Congress. The groups will then reverse during the afternoon. |
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| 11:45am - 12:05pm |
Women’s Summit Photo
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U.S. Capitol Steps | |
| 12:15pm - 1:30pm |
Lunch with Guest Speaker
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Eisenhower Room – Capitol Hill Club | |
| 1:30pm - 3:30pm |
Afternoon Workshop Session OR Meetings on Capitol Hill
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Speaker & California Rooms – Capitol Hill Club OR Capitol Hill | |
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Please note: Attendees will be divided into two groups. One group will participate in sessions in the afternoon while the other group attends meetings with Administration officials or Members of Congress.
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Open Lunch
Lunch on your own. Please dining and sightseeing recommendations tab for suggestions.
Becky Rasdall Vargas
Becky Rasdall Vargas joined the International Dairy Foods Association in July 2020 as Vice President, Trade Policy and International Affairs where she is responsible for advocacy strategy on international trade and supply chain policy issues impacting the global competitiveness of U.S. dairy products. Becky also currently leads IDFA’s Women in Dairy initiative.
Before she joined IDFA, Becky served as a Senior Advisor with the Foreign Agricultural Service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a Deputy Director for Agricultural Affairs in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Throughout her government career, she obtained extensive experience in negotiating technical resolutions to trade barriers for U.S. dairy exports, as well as representing the United States in trade agreement negotiations, including the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), China Phase One Agreement, and other negotiations with the European Commission and India.
Prior to joining the U.S. government, Becky managed regulatory compliance for ConAgra Foods’ export business and also worked for the International Food Information Council and former Congressman Dave Camp (MI-04). Becky holds a Master of the Arts in International Relations from the University of Warwick in England, and a Bachelor of the Arts in International Political Science from Hope College in Michigan, and speaks German and Spanish.
The Disciplines of a Leader: Self-Management as the Foundation of Effective Leadership
What makes a strong and effective leader? In this engaging, interactive workshop, you’ll discover the qualities that set great leaders apart and how you can strengthen them in your own journey. Together, we’ll explore six key leadership disciplines—from protecting your time and focusing on what matters most to delegating with confidence, leading with emotional intelligence, communicating with impact, and navigating tough ethical decisions. You’ll identify your strengths, uncover areas for growth, and build a personal roadmap to elevate your leadership. Join us ready to connect, reflect, and leave inspired with the tools to lead with confidence and authenticity.
Karen Chopra
Karen James Chopra, LPC, CCC, NCC, is the founder of ChopraCareers (www.ChopraCareers.com), a well-established career counseling private practice in Washington, D.C. Karen helps clients in those moments when career clarity is needed—moments of transition, change, opportunity, and growth. A former U.S. Government trade negotiator, she is the author of Coaching Career Clients on Salary and Other Workplace Negotiations and the Certified Salary Negotiation Specialist (CSNS) credential, a 20 hour multi-media course that trains career professionals to handle salary negotiations. The Maryland Career Development Association (MCDA) has honored her with both their Outstanding Career Practitioner and Lifetime Achievement awards. She received her M.A. in Community Counseling from the George Washington University, and her B.A. from the University of Virginia. She also has a master’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
The Disciplines of a Leader: Self-Management as the Foundation of Effective Leadership (continued)
What makes a strong and effective leader? In this engaging, interactive workshop, you’ll discover the qualities that set great leaders apart and how you can strengthen them in your own journey. Together, we’ll explore six key leadership disciplines—from protecting your time and focusing on what matters most to delegating with confidence, leading with emotional intelligence, communicating with impact, and navigating tough ethical decisions. You’ll identify your strengths, uncover areas for growth, and build a personal roadmap to elevate your leadership. Join us ready to connect, reflect, and leave inspired with the tools to lead with confidence and authenticity.
Karen Chopra
Karen James Chopra, LPC, CCC, NCC, is the founder of ChopraCareers (www.ChopraCareers.com), a well-established career counseling private practice in Washington, D.C. Karen helps clients in those moments when career clarity is needed—moments of transition, change, opportunity, and growth. A former U.S. Government trade negotiator, she is the author of Coaching Career Clients on Salary and Other Workplace Negotiations and the Certified Salary Negotiation Specialist (CSNS) credential, a 20 hour multi-media course that trains career professionals to handle salary negotiations. The Maryland Career Development Association (MCDA) has honored her with both their Outstanding Career Practitioner and Lifetime Achievement awards. She received her M.A. in Community Counseling from the George Washington University, and her B.A. from the University of Virginia. She also has a master’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Open Dinner
Dinner and sightseeing on your own. Please dining and sightseeing recommendations tab for suggestions.
Shawna Nelson
In 2025, Shawna Nelson became Organic Valley’s fourth CEO and first female chief executive officer.
Born and raised in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, where the co-op was founded, Nelson started her career at Organic Valley in 2005 as a human resources intern. She later moved into roles in marketing, sales analysis, recruitment, employee relations, field operations, and dairy pool management.
She most recently served as the executive vice president of membership since October 2023. In this role, she oversaw all farmer touchpoints and pools at the farmer-owned cooperative.
Over the span of almost 20 years, she has advanced from intern to CEO, contributing significantly to Organic Valley’s growth and demonstrating success at every stage. Nelson is committed to continuing Organic Valley’s mission by supporting family farms, delivering high-quality organic food, emphasizing environmental stewardship, and building upon the cooperative’s achievements.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and resides in La Farge, Wisconsin, with her husband Reggie and son Bentley.
Julie Anna Potts
Julie Anna Potts is the President and CEO of the Meat Institute, where she leads the Institute in implementing programs and activities for the association. An agriculture veteran, Potts previously served the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) as its executive vice president and treasurer. Potts first joined AFBF in 2004, serving as general counsel until 2009. In 2009, she was named chief counsel of the Senate Agriculture Committee, serving under then-Chairman Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. Earlier in her career, Potts was an associate in the environmental law groups of the Washington, DC, law firms Mayer Brown, LLP, and Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal. She also clerked for U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia from 1997-1998.
Potts earned her law degree at The George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, and her Bachelor of Arts in English from Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She is a trustee of The Pennsylvania State University and serves on the boards of the International Meat Secretariat and the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. In January 2021, Potts was appointed to the USDA’s Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee.
Patti Smith
Patricia (Patti ) Smith serves as the President and CEO of the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI), the leading national trade association representing manufacturers, marketers, and distributors of dairy-based ingredients. With over 35 years of experience in the global dairy industry, Patricia brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and strategic vision to the organization and the dairy industry.
Before joining ADPI, Patricia held a series of high-impact executive roles across the dairy and ingredients sectors. She was most recently the President of the Ingredients Division at California Dairies, Inc., where she led commercial strategy and operations for a wide range of value-added dairy ingredients. Her prior leadership roles include serving as CEO of DairyAmerica and CEO of Valley Milk, where she drove innovation, market expansion, and operational excellence.
Earlier in her career, Patricia held senior positions with Roquette America and Fonterra, where she gained deep expertise in dairy ingredients, supply chain management, and global trade.
Throughout her career, Patricia has been recognized for her commitment to industry collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth. Her leadership at ADPI continues to support the advancement of U.S. dairy ingredients in both domestic and international markets.
Outside of her professional accomplishments, Patricia has been married to her husband Dean for 38 years. She deeply values family life and especially enjoys spending quality time with her three grandchildren: Emaree, Jayce, and Aubree.
Robert Rosado
Robert Rosado joined the IDFA team in January 2021. He works with members on policy development and legislative strategy while advocating for dairy foods companies and the dairy industry before the Congress and the Administration. Before joining IDFA, Rosado served the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry as senior professional staff for nutrition and specialty crops policy. There, he drafted, managed, and led successful final bipartisan negotiations on the nutrition and specialty crops provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill and led the U.S. Senate COVID-19 policy response efforts impacting food assistance, nutrition, retail/foodservice supply-chain, and specialty crop agriculture.
Rosado has extensive experience in advocacy on behalf of food trade associations in the nation’s capital, having worked in the policy shops at the Food Marketing Institute, Biotechnology Industry Association, and American Meat Institute. He also served in the Foreign Agricultural Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Bush administration.
Rosado holds an M.A. in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University in Arlington, Va., and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Drew University in Madison, N.J.
Donald Grady
As Senior Director, Legislative Affairs, Donald Grady advocates for IDFA’s legislative policies and objectives with policymakers and other stakeholders, as well as assists with developing IDFA’s legislative goals and strategies. He comes to IDFA from the office of U.S. Representative Jim Costa (D-Calif.) where Grady served as a legislative assistant. He coordinated and managed all legislative efforts and constituent services related to the agriculture industry and the House Agriculture Committee. Before that, he was a legislative correspondent for U.S. Representative Jim Marshall (D-Ga.). Grady earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Denison University.
Colin Newman
Colin Newman serves as IDFA’s Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff where he directs the organization’s key initiatives and leads day-to-day operations of the executive office. In this role, Newman executes on the strategic priorities of President and CEO, Michael Dykes, D.V.M and serves as strategist and consultant, facilitating collaboration and inclusiveness across the association to achieve organizational goals.
Newman is the executive office’s liaison with IDFA members and members of the IDFA Executive Council and Industry Segment Boards. He also leads the association’s Political Action Committee (IDFA PAC) and all grassroots political activities. These activities include strategic fly-ins, legislative fly-outs, Congressional facility tours, IDFA’s annual leadership awards and other special events.
Newman designed, implemented, and leads the IDFA NextGen Leadership Program, a signature program of the IDFA People Strategy. The NextGen Leadership Program supports, guides, and prepares mid-senior level dairy industry professionals ready to take the next step in their leadership journey.
Newman joined IDFA in 2017 from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where he served as manager for corporate relations. Before that, he worked at Morgan Meredith & Associates, a fundraising firm on Capitol Hill, where he fundraised for members of Congress, PACs and nonprofits. Newman also led a grassroots effort as a field director for the Republican Party of Virginia during the 2012 presidential campaign. Newman earned a bachelor’s degree in management at Gettysburg College.
Morning Workshop Session OR Meetings on Capitol Hill
Please note: Attendees will be divided into two groups with one group participating in sessions for the morning while the other group attends meetings with Administration officials or Members of Congress. The groups will then reverse during the afternoon.
Afternoon Workshop Session OR Meetings on Capitol Hill
Please note: Attendees will be divided into two groups. One group will participate in sessions in the afternoon while the other group attends meetings with Administration officials or Members of Congress.
Hotel
The Dupont Circle Hotel
The IDFA Women’s Summit has secured a room block at The Dupont Hotel, a short walk (0.2 miles) from the Steptoe Offices where the majority of the conference will take place. You may make your hotel reservations online or directly with the hotel by calling (202) 483-6000. When calling, refer to the 2026 IDFA Women’s Summit and Block Code 2603BINHUF to receive the special room rate of $269 per night plus applicable taxes. The deadline to secure a room is March 2, 2026.
Book HereRegistration 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: $799
Non-Members: $999
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 23, 2026 for a full refund, minus a $75 processing fee. Cancellations received after February 23, 2026, will be eligible for a 50 percent refund, less the processing fee. Your registration fee is non-refundable after March 9, 2026. 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 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 lgold@idfa.org for more information.
Premier Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
Dining Options Near Dupont Circle:
- Certo! (Royal Sonesta Hotel restaurant)
- The Admiral
- Firefly
- Iron Gate Restaurant
- Ala
- Toastique
- Tatte Bakery & Café
- Residents Café & Bar
- Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
- Emissary
Sightseeing:
- Georgetown Waterfront Park: 1.2 miles
- The National Mall: 2.2 miles
- The White House: 1.2 miles
- National Zoo 1.7 miles
Rideshare apps and public transit are great ways to navigate Washington D.C. For more information about public transit, please refer to this system map.