b"She believes the work with the general public will play into future conversations. We will continue to have new innovations in agriculture to help overcome the challenges that we'll continue to see in the future, she adds. Its also just as important to help people understand that without the work that happens in rural America; without the tremendous amount of effort, we wont be able to feed a growing population and that's something that I think we're getting better and better at every day.On Being a Woman in a Male-Dominated FieldAs a woman in a predominantly male-dominated field, Brady has faced unique challenges. She candidly shares instances where she was overlooked in favor of male colleagues, highlight-ing a broader issue of gender dynamics in the political and agricultural sectors. However, she finds strength in the com-munity of women in agriculture. I was involved in a lot of the international trade issues, and it was not uncommon to be the only female in the room and Ive definitely had those experiences when I was on the Hill of having someone come in and speak directly to the male intern next to me rather than me and pivot towards that male personality, she states, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and support among women in the industry. Ive been very fortunate that women in agriculture in D.C. and outside of D.C., have not only just paved a road for others to follow, but they have also developed a network and opportunities to coalesce and work together and learn from each other. From day one working on the Hill in particular, Ive benefitted from women who were in senior positions that were very open to taking me under their wing to pro-vide mentorship and assistance in building my professional network. Thats something that Ive tried to emulate as Ive been able to move into more senior positions in my own career as well.Navigating Change and InnovationThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with Bradys early years at ASTA, introducing new com-plexities to her role. She describes the pandemic as both a challenge and an opportunity to reevaluate and strengthen the industrys resilience. Its a challenge and its also something that I enjoy. There's a big learning curve, she admits, discussing the adaptations necessary to navigate the shifting landscape of agricultural policy and public health concerns.Looking to the future, Brady is focused on the role of technology and innovation in agriculture. She believes JUNE 2024SEEDWORLD.COM /7"