Leadership grounded in operating reality

Monica grew up on a fourth-generation family farm in Central Iowa, where agriculture was more than a livelihood — it was a way of life. Raised by a father who battled cancer for a decade, she was shaped by his nightly reminder. That message lit a fire in her that never went out.

As a first-generation female leader in local ag organizations like FFA, she learned early how to challenge expectations and lead with heart. Though she briefly pursued psychology and neuroscience in college, Monica found herself called back to her roots in agriculture.

After earning a degree in agronomy from Iowa State, she built her career from the ground up — starting in the field, literally. Over two decades, Monica advanced through sales, marketing, and leadership roles at industry giants like Pioneer and DuPont. Along the way, she gained a reputation for doing what many feared — turning outdated systems on their head to unlock new growth.

But the corporate grind wore thin. Monica knew she wasn't put on this earth to play politics — she was here to make real change. So she left the corporate ladder behind to build something of her own. From navigating startup chaos to managing corporate turnarounds and even helping shutter businesses with integrity, Monica has seen every side of the ag industry.

Today, as CEO of Amplify Green and founder of AgriLuminate, she's channeling all those experiences into one mission: to help the next generation of ag innovators bring breakthrough technologies to market — ethically, sustainably, and with a human touch.

And one day, she hopes to buy back the family farm to transform it into a living innovation lab — showcasing the future of regenerative agriculture for generations to come.