I am a communications consultant based in Northeast Oregon. I own AJAE Communications, which provides strategic communications and public relations services to clients in the agriculture and rural business and organization sectors.

I earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural communications and journalism from Kansas State University in 2013, where I completed internships that gave me valuable experience at the IGP Institute, ICM, Inc., and K-State Research & Extension in Johnson County.

I began my career as Director of Communications for the Kansas Pork Association before relocating to the Washington, D.C., area to spend the next 8 years with U.S. Wheat Associates, managing its digital communication platforms and export market development communications strategy as Director of Communications.

I also returned to school part-time in 2021, earning a master of professional studies in public relations and corporate communications at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, and I was proud to receive the Fall 2022 Outstanding Capstone Award.

In 2022, I relocated back to my hometown in Hermiston, Oregon. After spending time working for Pac/West Lobby Group, an Oregon-based government affairs and communications agency serving clients across a variety of industries, and as a long-term substitute high school agriculture teacher, I started AJAE Communications in 2024 and took it full-time in 2025.

Earlier this year, I also started a personal project, Hermiston & Friends, to explore ways to build stronger community connections with a hyper-local focus and am excited to learn and grow it into something positive.

Describe your AFA experience as a student.

I attended Tracks 1, 2, and 3 at Leader’s Conference as a student and attended the AFA Policy Institute. I was also fortunate to have the opportunity to serve on the 2011 AFA Student Advisory Team and helped lead Track 2 as a Student Leader.

How did your AFA Student experience influence your career journey?

I always knew I wanted a career that combined communications and agriculture, but AFA helped give me direction and showed me how many different paths I could choose from. AFA also emphasized the importance of interpersonal, or "soft," skills and how those, along with immersing yourself in different experiences, help refine who you are and ultimately set you apart from others. For example, I had an internship that I quickly knew wasn't going to be a career path for me, but things I learned as an AFA Student helped me understand that learning what I don't want to do and why was just as important and it also helped me discern what I could still learn from the experience. In contrast, my experience at the AFA Policy Institute reiterated that I wanted to live and work in D.C. at some point.

What is one AFA memory, moment or conversation that has stayed with you?

After 17 years of being involved in AFA in some way, there are quite a few, but as a student on the Student Advisory Team, I will always remember the team meeting we had after Leaders Conference ended. AFA had just wrapped up its 15th year and conference, and my team got to be a part of some strategic planning looking ahead. I've always been proud of how AFA has evolved and challenged itself to ask hard questions, try new things, and embrace change and feedback to better support students and the future of the industry. I think back to that meeting, and I appreciate that students were part of those conversations; it also ingrained in me the importance of intentional strategic planning and reflection, both personally and as an organization or business.

At the time, what did AFA help you understand about yourself, your leadership style or your place in agriculture?

AFA helped me understand and define my values as an individual and professional, and ultimately became the catalyst that empowered my self-confidence. AFA taught me how to recognize and respect other people's talents and skills, and I think that, combined with helping broaden my knowledge of the agriculture industry, it impressed upon me that this industry needs all kinds of people and their stories to succeed and grow, and that included me. There is a place and purpose for my talents, skills, interests and values. I think that's ultimately, in part, why I love telling stories and why it's always been so important to me throughout my career to share values with those I'm working with or for.

Was there a person, mentor, peer or industry professional you met through AFA who influenced your path? What impact did they have?

Over time, I really think it's been the peers I met through AFA who have continued to inspire me over the years. It's so great to see so many that you connected with and learned alongside go on to build meaningful careers, start families and live full lives. Even if it's been years since you've seen someone in person, it's a network that continues to cheer each other on and support each other when they can. I think that is pretty unique and special.

What skill, mindset or lesson from AFA has been most useful in your professional life?

Above anything AFA taught me the true value of networking and building and nurturing authentic relationships. And I don't mean transactional networking for the sake of swapping formalities and positioning yourself for potential job opportunities. When we approach networking and connections with intention and take the time to invest in each other, it enriches and adds joy to both our professional and personal lives. That's the good stuff that sticks with you, and I could talk endlessly about how that has added value to my work and life. I often feel like a broken record when I say this, but I strongly believe in the importance of showing up for the people who show up for you.

In what ways do you stay connected or involved with AFA in your professional life? Why is that important to you?

I’ve stayed active in AFA as an alum in various ways. I previously served on the AFA Alliance Committee and, in 2019, was the chair and representative to the AFA board of directors. I was an AFA Fellowship Coach where I mentored a student 1:1 through a self-guided program, and when I was living in Washington, D.C., I participated in industry panels and roundtable discussions at the AFA Policy Institute. When I can, I try to help when staff asks for alumni support reviewing applications and other requests. I recognize that part of what made AFA so impactful for me, and I know for others, is the unique interaction and networking that AFA fosters between current students and industry. So it's important to continue that cycle and help support and create those opportunities for the next generation. It's also important to me to stay engaged in the network AFA has given me, both because of the friendships and connections I’ve made and because I know I'll always learn something and feel challenged and empowered.