Thirty emerging leaders in the dairy industry met in Washington, D.C., this month for IDFA's NextGen Leadership Program Washington Seminar. The emerging leaders—NextGen's Cohort 4—spent three days in the nation's capital advocating for dairy industry priorities, exploring leadership best practices at Mount Vernon, and networking with their peers.

IDFA's NextGen Leadership Program Cohort 4 in front of the U.S. Capitol Building.

The trip marked the first meeting of Cohort 4, providing each of the participants the chance to meet with fellow leaders across the dairy supply chain and explore their leadership skills. On Day 2 of the Washington Seminar, the group traveled to the George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon in Virginia to discuss the integration of business strategy, leadership, and management, examine the leadership characteristics of George Washington, and learn about leading in times of crisis and change.

Cohort 4 at the George Washington Leadership Institute.

On the final day of their visit, participants met with Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Daniel B. Maffei, had lunch with U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and met with 18members of Congress and/or their staff to discuss workforce issues and immigration policy, supply chain struggles, the importance of trade, and the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives Projects.

Cohort 4 meets with FMC Chairman Daniel Maffei
Cohort 4 meets with U.S. Representative Glenn 'GT' Thompson, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee

Cohort 4 of the NextGen Leadership Program is generously sponsored by Hilmar Cheese Company and Idaho Milk Products.

NextGen Leadership Program Cohort 4 will meet next in person at Dairy Forum 2023, the dairy industry event of the year.

Learn more about the program here.

IDFA Staff Contact

Colin Newman

Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief of Staff