Women play an integral role in today’s agriculture community and beyond. STgen™ is taking the week to celebrate International Women’s Day which is on March 8th, these four women combine over 40 years of agricultural experience in three different countries and their jobs influence the ongoings in over 40 different markets.
Meet some of the women of STgen™:
Camille Maloney
Director of STgenetics® France
You cannot do anything without the people! For Camille Maloney the new Director of STgenetics® France since 2023, the most important role she has in her job is managing the team. When she talks about her team you can feel all the respect and the empathy Camille has for people.
She used these words to describe her team, “You cannot do anything without the people, my team is the most important asset for the development STgenetics® in France! If your people like their job, they will walk the extra miles.” That is why her daily priority is to collaborate with them, keep them motivated, make them aware that their words count and finally support them as much she can.
Prior to joining STgenetics®, Camille built her own name in the industry, starting out in non-traditional role as a technician 20 years ago in Canada. She always believed that doing her job well, staying open to learning new things and persevering was the best way to progress. Today, as a mother and team leader, she feels she must lead by example and continue to do her job well, and if this can inspire her children and employees, that’s a bonus!
Jocelyn Johnson
Animal Research Scientist
Take all the opportunities you can to understand the industry and its trends. Jocelyn Johnson is an Animal Research Scientist with STgenetics® who manages that EcoFeed® and Beef Add On™ dairy research programs. She has a Masters and PhD in Ruminant Nutrition from Texas A&M and joined STgenetics® in 2019 after she worked with the company on a PhD project analyzing feed efficiency data on heifers in Ohio. She found that the EcoFeed® program aligned perfectly with her passion for animal nutrition and feed efficiency.
Jocelyn credits STgenetics® with greatly shaping her perception of the agricultural industry and helping her grow in her career, “While I had experience in other areas of the ag industry I came into this position with very little commercial beef and dairy experience. Since being at STgenetics® I have had so many great opportunities to interact with producers and other sectors of the industry that has really expanded my knowledge and allowed me to better understand how our research and products can help the industry. It is so rewarding to get to see over and over how our research is providing innovative tools and technologies that are directly helping our producers to be more profitable and environmentally sustainable.”
When asked what advice she would give to women looking to becoming involved in a role similar to what she does, she says, “I think getting as much experience as you can and taking all the opportunities you can to understand the industry and trends is important. Have the self-drive to continue learning and motivation to do better while growing yourself in that ability. If you don't naturally have that ability, then look to those who can help. I am always so amazed at how small our industry is, even though it's extremely big. Making good connections and contacting those people when you're looking for something, I think goes a long way.”
Candis McCleary
STgenetics® Global Quality Assurance Director
Always be willing to accept changes and adapt to new things! Candis McCleary is celebrating her 20th anniversary with STgenetics® on March 8th, which is also International Women’s Day! Today, Candis oversees global quality assurance for all labs to ensure products meet STgenetics® standards. This includes everything from implementing and improving lab programs and procedures, to assisting lab managers and employees in all aspects of quality, and handling customer relations worldwide regarding product quality.
When reflecting on what brought her to the company and her experiences over those 20 years, she says, “After completing my undergrad degree in Animal Science, I was planning to attend vet school, when one of my professors told me about this new startup company, owned by her colleague, Juan Moreno, who is our CEO. So, I took an interview with Juan, moved down to Texas from Illinois and started on March 8th, 2004. While my path took a different turn than I originally thought, I've had a lot of different roles with the company and I’m really glad. Watching STgenetics® and how we have changed the industry, especially cattle, but livestock production in general over the last 20 years, it's just hard to believe. We've taken a big leap forward in just 20 years. Usually advances like ours would take many decades or a century to move this far forward, and we did it very quickly. It shows that the agricultural industry, just like everything else, can benefit greatly from technology, as long as we are willing to accept changes and adapt to new things.”
Sarah Heppner
Senior Manager of Marketing and Eastern Canadian sales for AcuFast™
Take Opportunities as They Come and Adapt! In her role as Senior Manager of Marketing and Eastern Canadian sales for AcuFast™, Sarah Heppner, oversees global marketing for AcuFast™, the swine division of STgenetics®. Her first exposure to the STgenetics® family was when she was a production intern at AcuFast™ (then Fast Genetics) nucleus farms and then began a full-time position as a lab tech at the first swine sperm sorting lab in Saskatoon in 2018. Soon after, a job in marketing became available that she felt better suited her talents and interests and since then has grown in that role.
When asked how STgenetics® has shaped her perception of the agricultural industry, Sarah says, “I think it's really expanded my awareness of innovation and technology actually being applied in production. That has really changed my perception of how dynamic this industry is. Growing up on a farm or working in production, I would hear about innovation and technology, but being so removed from it actually happening made it seem irrelevant. Now I work with that reality every day and am responsible for educating and selling those innovations and technologies to producers to help them become more efficient.”
Lucy Vasquez
Executive Assistant
Stick to your principles and values, you are a leader! Lucy Vasquez has been with STgenetics® for 13 years, she came to the United States from Colombia in 2011 and shortly after her arrival she started her career with us. She is the Executive Assistant for STgenetics® CEO, Juan Moreno, and COO, Gregg Bevier, in Navasota Texas. When she reflects on her time at STgenetics® she summarizes that once you spend time at STgenetics®, you realize that behind all the products in the grocery store, there is a lot of really hard-working people that are doing amazing things, like those in R&D, those in the barn with the bulls and those in the lab. Lucy suggests that these human efforts are not often thought of by consumers, but these people are essential to our communities, our nutrition and are wonderful to work alongside.
When asked if she has advice for other women looking to join the agricultural industry she states, “You need to be a leader and understand that what you do impacts others. Be eager to learn and don’t be afraid of challenges. Be sure to stick to your principles and values and bring your own perspective and opinions to the table.”
Maria Gonzalez
Corporate Controller
Speed doesn't get you there faster. Take the time and enjoy the process. Maria Gonzalez is the STgen™ Corporate Controller and has been with the company since 2020. Since she has joined STgen™ she says it has been an eye-opening experience to see the importance of technology to the agricultural industry and the role that STgen™ plays in providing it. Maria enjoys working with her great team and the day-to-day diversity that her job brings.
When asked what she would tell herself if she could go back to when she first started her career Maria says, “Speed doesn't get you there faster. Take the time and enjoy the process. Even though the process is sometimes painful, if you learn how to enjoy the process, once you get there, the main goal will be a lot better. Also, create a good support system around you both at work and at home because you will use that support system more times than you think of.”
She has this advice to offer to women looking to become involved in a role similar to hers, “I came into the Treasury Department here, although my background had always been accounting, because that was the opportunity that existed at that point. Little by little, I steered myself based on the company's needs into accounting. I would tell people to not always try to get in through the door, but look at those small windows, as sometimes you crawl in through a small window, it gives you the opportunity to get noticed and you are given the opportunity. Find support within the company from your peers, but also look for other women in positions where you would like to get to. I suggest you find other women that serve as role models and use them as mentors.”
Daniela Pereira
In Vitro Fertilization Laboratory Manager
Whatever you want to do believe in yourself, work hard, and study for it. Daniela Pereira is the Embryo Transfer and In vitro Fertilization Laboratory Manager at STgenetics®. A veterinarian from Brazil, Daniela began her career with STgenetics® when Dr. Alfredo Castro in International Sales contacted her to assist at the In vitro Laboratory in Texas. She then started her full-time position in 2007 and a few years later, she moved to Wisconsin, where she prepares all the media from the In Vitro Fertilization and trains people. She enjoys working with this technology every day and the people in the lab who make it happen.
When asked about her most memorable experience with STgenetics®, Daniela says it is the people. “When I came to the United States, I did not speak any English, so it was difficult. But the reception here was fantastic and everyone made me feel at home. Whether I was in Texas or Wisconsin, people helped me, and I am incredibly grateful for that.”
She adds this advice for women looking to become involved in the industry in a role similar to hers at STgenetics®, “Whatever you want to do believe in yourself, work hard, and study for it. That’s how you get the opportunity that might pass over you. When you have someone say you need to do this or stay a little bit longer to learn something, do it! Make time for learning and practicing. Sometimes you have the right person close to you to teach you - learn from them. The opportunities are here - you just need to take advantage of them."
Gabriela Canabrava
Quantitative Geneticist
Don’t box yourself in and have confidence in yourself! Gabriela Canabrava has staked her passion in animal production science and since she made this decision Gabriela has become a Quantitative Geneticist for STgenetics® within our Research and Development team. Since she started her career with STgenetics® three years ago she has played a pivotal role on the genetics team, stating she is most proud of leading the development of STgenetics® Donor Output Index. This type of research and development was something she had dreamed of when she was in school.
When asked what she would go back and tell herself when she started her schooling, Gabriela said, “I’d tell myself, don’t give up. At one point during my PhD I realized I was not in the right place. I was afraid and suffered a little but pushed through and allowed people who were interested in my skills find me. I learned that things would happen at the right time. And as for women in general, we cannot box ourselves in, we can find the confidence in ourselves to succeed in our positions and goals."
Maria Niavez
Office Manager
Work hard and be a Super Woman! Maria Niavez has been with STgenetics® for the past 10 years! She is of the Office Manager for the Navasota Corporate Office where our CEO, COO, CFO, HR, Legal and Accounting teams operate. Maria takes great pride in her position and working with numerous teams through STgenetics®, she says her day to day is always different and she enjoys being able to welcome all the new groups or people to STgenetics® and being a part of providing a positive consumer outlook for all farmers and ranchers.
When asked about the teams she works with and the women behind them, she states, “I applaud the women who took the time and energy to get their Masters, PhD’s and follow their dreams. I am a single mom of four children, and I’ve learned to work hard, I give 110% at everything I do and I see this mindset throughout many of the women who work at STgenetics®. I have many friends who work here, and they are all SUPER WOMEN! There are more and more women working from morning to night and it’s inspiring.”
Sara Kruse
U.S. Dealer Sales Manager
Be Adaptable and Find Balance. Sara Kruse has been with STgenetics® for 8 years. In her first position, she spearheaded the Call Center. She is now the U.S. Dealer Sales Manager, where she works closely with dealers in California, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. Sara also farms with her husband and her three sons in Iowa. She enjoys working with and achieving wins with her STgenetics® dealer group that she says has also become like her family.
When asked how she perceives women in agriculture today compared to when she began her career, Sara says, “Women have gained momentum in many careers since I started in agriculture 20 years ago. Women are organized and bring a balance to agricultural companies through great thoughts and ideas that help in meeting goals of the dairymen. When I say balance, they're normally balancing between a family and their job. They are pulled in many directions, but they always seem to be able to adapt and bring great things to the table.”
She offers this advice to women looking to become involved in a career like hers, “In order to be a professional, I think that you must have passion. You're not just showing up for a job, you’re working for a career. It’s more than just coming in for 8 hours a day. You also need grit - what drives you inside to keep grinding every day and looking better in each role that you do. You need that grit and passion combination to excel at what you're doing. Finally, you need to be adaptable and find a balance between your home life, maybe a farm, your kid’s activities and work.”
Elena Pujals
Strategy Finance & Business Development Manager
STgen™ is an exciting place to work! Elena Pujals is a young and dynamic individual who has been a Finance and Business Development Manager for STgen™ for the past three years. She decided to move to Nicaragua to complete her studies and after deciding to stay she started her career with us. Since she has been with the company, she has gained a great insight into the agricultural industry. Prior to starting with STgen™ she would have classified herself an outsider to the industry but now she believes agriculture is a vital part of the world economy. Elena now feels more aware of how important feeding the world is while working at STgen™, she states that she understands and supports STgen™’s commitment to sustainably producing food for our world population.
When she explains further about her thoughts on sustainable animal production, Elena says, “I do believe we are helping to feed the world and I come from the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and I have experienced first-hand what it means to not get the proper nutrition at an early age.”
She thinks we put our money where our mouth is, and that we are 100% focused. For Elena that makes STgen™ an exciting place to work because we are contributing to offer a fair nutritional chance to every person by doing what we do.
Kalyne Bertolin
STgen™ Global Marketing
Women's presence and success is normalized when we see potential in ourselves! Kalyne Bertolin is a Brazilian Veterinarian with her Master's and PhD in Animal Reproduction. In 2019, when she was looking to make a career change by pursuing an MBA in marketing, she found her position at STgen™ within the Global Marketing team. Kalyne enjoys the opportunity to combine her scientific background with her passion for agricultural business, while being proud to tell her children she works for a company with products and services that help feed the world.
When asked about how STgenetics® has helped shape her perception of the agricultural industry, Kalyne says “Farm and technologies need to go hand in hand. Scientists need to research what farmers need, and farmers benefit from this by embracing innovations. I am proud to work for a company that strives to bridge the gap between these two worlds, and I love being able to help connect them, in different countries, languages and cultures.”
When asked what advice she would give to women looking to have a similar position to her role, Kalyne states, “I would say don't give up until you find someone who sees value in your efforts. What we have and what we bring in our background is what makes us us and combining different people and different knowledges, different cultures and different genders is what leads to success. In order to normalize the presence and success of women, we need to see the potential in ourselves.”
Adelyn Allen
Beef Operations Manager
Get involved, keep an open mind and opportunities will come! Adelyn Allen has been on the Beef team with STgenetics® since 2016. With a strong background in the Brahman breed, she brought a great amount of passion and knowledge to the Beef division as they were forming. Starting as the Customer Service Manager, she has moved through the ranks to now being the Beef Operations Manager where she is heavily involved in inventories, allocations as well as helping oversee the US Beef sales team and marketing team.
When asked what she would go back and tell herself when she started out her career, Adelyn said, “Get more involved in different things, especially with agriculture and different ag organizations. Go on trips and stay engaged because I think we learn a lot when we expose ourselves to more experiences. Keep an open mind to different things, I think being able to learn from a variety of people helps you grow and understand separate parts of yourself and who you are working with.”
Virginia Ribeiro
Animal Genetic Analyst
People, Science and Sustainability. Virginia Ribeiro has now been an Animal Genetic Analyst with the Research and Development team at STgenetics® in Brazil for the past three years. When she reflects on all the different career options she has been able to choose from compared to her mother's generation, she feels particularly privileged. She notes that things have continued to evolve since she was at university and as she started her career, she now no longer feels the difference between genders. For Virginia, the turning point in her career has come naturally over time, allowing her to continue to grow as a person through STgenetics®.
“One day, I realized that people ask for my opinion because they want to know, and it was not a test. Since that moment, my opinion really matters in the team I collaborate with.” states Virginia when describing her work environment and team dynamics. Virginia is happy to work with a team that is happy for her and with a company that shares the same values as her. People, Science and Sustainability.
SheauMin See
International Sales Director for Asia Pacific
Grab your opportunity and overcome your challenges! SheauMin See has been with STgenetics® since 2008, when she joined the company she realized the immense challenge she was taking on as she was completely switching the industries she was working within. She started her successful career with the Singapore Economic Development Board in 1995 and ended up taking a six-year break to raise her children. SheauMin describes this choice as one she wouldn’t change but that created a lot of challenges as she re-entered the work force. However, she emersed herself in the agricultural industry and today she manages sales for key markets like China, Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia and Indonesia. Along with this she also manages all third-party licenses for Sexing Technologies.
When describing how she accomplished what she has for STgenetics®, SheauMin states, “It was difficult coming back into the workforce, but I think if you are willing to work at it, you can make it happen. I learned how to anticipate what the distributors I was working with would need and that comes from being adaptable and understating where the other party is coming from. Through working with STgenetics® I have learned that sometimes it takes a lot of boldness and courage to step out there and just do it.”
Valerie Schwanz
EU+ Sales & Marketing Lead Coordinator
Women put a lot of heart and effort into their work and it shows! Valerie Schwanz joined STgenetics® in 2008 with the acquisition of Trans-World Genetics where she had been with that company since 2000. Since she began her career, she has gained more and more responsibilities, today she is the European+ Sales and Marketing Lead Coordinator where she provides service and support to the sales team throughout 40 distributors in Europe, parts of the Middle East, Japan and several other markets. Her time with STgenetics® has shown her just how vast and vital the agricultural industry is for all society’s around the globe and she’s proud to be a part of the solution of feeding the world.
When Valerie was asked how she perceived women in agriculture today compared to when she first started her career she stated, “In terms of women in agriculture, I have to think about my Grandma on the dairy farm and how she contributed. She was feeding the workers and milking the cows, which was no small feat, but that was her role and it was limited. Today women are not just making meals and milking cows, they’re playing pivotal roles in projects such as research and development, making management decisions, managing entire farms, and leading sales and youth organizations; just to name a few. Today, women have a significant role in agriculture and its expansive future, and no doubt will continue to through their work and as role models to their younger generations.”
Harpreet Boparai
Lab Manager for Sexing Technlogies®
It’s not about being a man or a woman… it's about being a good human. Harpreet Boparai is a Lab manager at Sexing Technologies and has been a part of the company for the past 12 years. Harpreet mentioned that her job comes with a tag, and that tag is the manager one. She doesn’t think being a man or woman has any influence on it. She said that her first priority is to make sure her team is doing well, and everybody is happy. She respects her staff in the way that every person expects to be respected, they're running the lab all together as a team!
Harpreet says, “My job at Sexing Technologies has made me happy every day since my first day in 2008 and I want the same for my team. We all deserve to come at work with a smile and come back home with a smile.”
Since Harpreet started this leadership role with ST, she tries every day to make it happen!
Francine Campagnari
Senior Manager Research & Development for STgenetics®
Sometimes things get crazy, accept it! After 3 years years with STgenetics® and a long career in the industry Francine Campagnari, Senior Manager Research and Development has some insightful advice she believes young women in the dairy industry could benefit from. Pioneer, entrepreneur, businesswoman, scientist and mother, are a few words to describe Francine. With these titles come a lot of responsibilities, Francine is totally blunt when she said that life can get crazy sometimes, trying to be great at work and within your personal life is a daily challenge.
‘No, you will not be able to handle everything… Being there for your kids when they are doing their first steps, then attending meetings, being well-presented and taking care of yourself, and you know, everything else…’
So, what is Francine’s secret? She tells us honestly, “My job has always been very close to my life purposes, so it made things easier to be a woman at work. Choose a job that will make you feel this way every day.”
STgenetics®; celebrating impactful and inspiring women in agriculture!