b'Leading the Wayin the Seed IndustrysNext ChapterIts about being part of something bigger than ourselves.By Sarah Wilbanks, CEO, AOSCA FOR AS LONG ASI can remember, agriculture has inspired me. It is the basic foundation for all human survival and the backbone of all economies and cultures. For me, its never been just about seedsits about feeding our communities. Each seed we plant represents hope: hope for a healthy meal on someones table, for resilient farms, and for a sustainable food system. That hope is what drew me to this industry and continues to fuel my passion for the work we do at the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). Its about being part of something bigger than ourselves, ensuring that agriculture continues to meet the needs of generations to come. Its demanding work but deeply rewarding. Achieving These Goals Takes All of Us Leadership in the seed industry isnt just about individual organiza-tions or even personal careers. Its about stepping forward to guide the entire sector. Now more than ever, we need leaders who are willing to take bold action to secure the future of global agriculture. Through my leadership in AOSCA, it is my goal to encompass the qualities that empower while also driving progress and achieving goals. To me, the agricultural way of life is the definition of integrity, and lead-ing with empathy and resilience is key to protecting an everchanging industry. Which leads to the question: how can we effectively guide our Sarah Wilbanks, CEO, AOSCA.PHOTOS: PRIMUS VISUALS, ORLANDO, FLORIDA teams toward long term goals? Lens of Opportunity We must start looking at the challenges we are facing within our industry (such as consolidation, rapid technological advancements, increasing pressures around sustainability and food security, etc.) through a new lensthat of opportunity. By changing the perspec-tive, we can analyze challenges and redefine business opportunities. I say this a lot, but we dont have to do things the way they have always been done. Thinking creatively drives the innovation we need within our industry.6/ SEEDWORLD.COMFEBRUARY 2025'