Broadcast Date: May 9, 2025 | 11:00am - 12:00pm Central
Price:
This session is free and for APS members only (please register to attend)
This event will not be available On Demand after the broadcast.
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Webinar Summary
This member-only APS Listening Session provides a space for an open discussion between moderators and APS members on current challenges facing the plant pathology community. These can be personal stories and stressors, information on what you have seen or experienced in your organization, or challenges across the broader scientific community. The purpose of this event is to learn from one another and understand how the current environment is affecting APS members with reflections on the impact on attendees of this listening session as well as their institutions, companies, employers, research, education, and more.
This listening session includes experts to speak on behalf of recent legislation but aims for a broader discussion on issues affecting APS members beyond public policy. Madeline Wade (Washington, DC, consultant), Linda Kinkel (APS Public Policy Board Chair), and Jim Meffert (APS strategy consultant) will moderate this listening session to pose questions, answer policy questions, provide society updates, and advise on actions members can take to utilize support programs and advocate for scientific initiatives. The APS Listening Session aims to offer clarity to members and help APS understand where the society can focus in supporting the community during this time, while continuing to position plant pathology and our workforce for future success.
Submit Your Thoughts, Topics, or Concerns
Email APS with any topics you want us to cover during this listening session prior to the scheduled event. You can also share anything that you may not feel comfortable voicing during the session. There will also be options to chat directly with moderators or submit chat Q&A items during the live event.
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Moderators
Linda Kinkel,
Chair, APS Public Policy Board & Professor, University of Minnesota
Jim Meffert, Principal Consultant, Tecker International
Madeline Wade, Partner and Founder, Brumidi Group
Linda Kinkel
Chair, APS Public Policy Board & Professor, University of Minnesota
Dr. Linda Kinkel has been a faculty member at the University of Minnesota for 35 years and also serves as Chief Science Officer and Founder of Jord BioScience. Linda’s research at the University of Minnesota focused on understanding and managing the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of plant-associated microbes and microbiomes with the goal of enhancing crop health and yields. After 30 years of academic research, Linda sought to translate her team’s research findings to real-world use, resulting in the launch of Jord BioScience. In her role as CSO at Jord, Linda is responsible for the technical and scientific strategy of the company. Linda also serves currently as Chair of the American Phytopathological Society Public Policy Board, reflecting her long-term interests in translating science to real-world impacts. In addition to her research and University teaching and mentoring, Linda has led the National Science Foundation-funded International Agricultural Microbiomes Research Coordination Network, and has served as Associate and Senior Editor for multiple scientific journals, Associate Editor-in-Chief for the Phytobiomes Journal, and was elected a Fellow of The American Phytopathological Society in 2018 and University of Minnesota 2024 Faculty Innovator of the Year.
Jim Meffert
Principal Consultant, Tecker International
Recently dubbed the “organizational psychologist” by one of his clients, Jim focuses on the dynamics among stakeholders by facilitating conversation and listening carefully for underlying motivations. Understanding how to get people to a place of unified action, motivated to support a direction and create impact is the skill that drove Meffert to run for Congress. “I was frustrated by the lack of action in Congress, and I wanted to get leaders focused on getting something done that would benefit all Americans,” Meffert says of his political motivation. Throughout his career, Jim has been a catalyst for growth, redesign, and positive change. Jim has worked with leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors and is most skilled at building the bridges between them. He has helped national organizations move beyond their differences and overcome paralysis by helping them see mutual and connected interests. He has rebuilt deeply troubled organizations and created national brand strategy and advocacy frameworks. Jim has served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Optometric Association, the Jefferson Center and Jefferson Action. His experience also includes working with national medical specialty societies in the Office of Federation Relations at the American Medical Association. Prior to that, he was in charge of federal and state government and chapter relations for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Madeline Wade
Partner and Founder, Brumidi Group
Madeline advises corporations, nonprofits, industry trade associations, and thought leaders on climate change and sustainability regulations, policy, and global trends. She has worked with organizations to develop and position their internal sustainability goals and helped to design the policies to reach those goals. She routinely leads coalitions in the policy outdoor space that are focused on advancing natural climate solutions, seeking funding for conservation programs, and reforming laws to protect public lands and access to outdoor recreation. Clients leverage Madeline’s broad sustainability expertise and leadership to inform their corporate strategies, lead their coalition campaigns, develop their comprehensive messaging, and advance meaningful change throughout the policy ecosystem. Her client successes have resulted in major policy reforms across many sectors, including climate change, environmental justice, public lands, outdoor recreation, and active transportation. Prior to founding Brumidi Group, Madeline worked on Capitol Hill and managed a Political Action Committee. She earned her master’s degree from Duke University in Public Policy and her bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University.
