Women In Industry Podcast

On this episode of the Women In Industry (WIN) Podcast, Crystal Ahrens Rouillier, Assistant Professor of Animal and Meat Science at Arkansas Tech University, shares her journey from growing up in Lamar, Arkansas to building a career rooted in agricultural education and community service. Crystal teaches in the Department of Agriculture and Tourism, where she has helped develop a hands-on meat science curriculum designed to prepare students for careers across the agricultural industry. What you will learn in this episode: How Crystal's upbringing in Johnson County, Arkansas shaped her path into agricultural education and brought her back to the Arkansas River Valley to teach How she built and integrated a meat science curriculum at Arkansas Tech University that gives students a more complete, industry-aligned education What diversifying with purpose means in agriculture today Why collaboration and staying open to new perspectives are essential to both good teaching and good farming What it means to give back to the industry and community that shaped you How Crystal defines her own legacy as an educator and mentor Guest: Crystal Ahrens Rouillier, Assistant Professor of Animal and Meat Science, Arkansas Tech University Affiliations: Arkansas Women in Agriculture, Women in Meat Industry Network, American Meat Science Association, American Brahman Breeders Association, Johnson County Cattlemen's Association, Johnson County Farm Bureau, Johnson County 4-H

Mo Wood has always pictured herself as a businesswoman. Today, as Vice President of Builder Sales at Windsor Door, she works with some of the nation’s top homebuilders to develop programs and relationships that position the company as their garage door partner of choice. In this episode of the Women in Industry Podcast, Mo shares the experiences and influences that shaped her approach to business and leadership. She reflects on the example set by her mother and grandmother, two women whose strength and determination showed her early on what women are capable of accomplishing. For Mo, success comes back to perseverance, hard work, empathy and following through on what you say you will do. Tune in to hear Mo’s perspective on building a career in sales and staying authentic along the way. In this episode: Building a career in builder sales The women who shaped Mo’s approach to leadership Perseverance and the importance of showing up Authenticity in business and leadership Lessons learned from a career built on relationships

Agriculture runs deep in Arkansas and so does the next generation leading it. In this episode, we sit down with three of Arkansas's FFA State Officers to hear firsthand how they found FFA, what it took to earn a state office, and what they're learning as they represent thousands of student members across the state. In this episode, we cover: How each officer discovered FFA and what kept them coming back The path to running for state office What it actually means to represent Arkansas FFA How FFA has shaped their views on leadership and their own futures Where they're headed next and how FFA prepared them for it Whether you're an ag educator, a current FFA member, or just curious about who's shaping the future of Arkansas agriculture, this episode is for you. Connect with Arkansas FFA: Website: https://www.arkansasffa.org/ Instagram: @arkansasffa Facebook: Arkansas FFA

Sarah Thomas is a force of nature. As Strategic Partnerships and Programs Manager at The Venture Center in Little Rock, she helps entrepreneurs at every stage find their footing — from building a first website to navigating complex government contracts. But that's just one of her many hats. She's also a published author, a yoga instructor, president of Women in Tech Central Arkansas, and a woman living with Multiple Sclerosis who refuses to let any of it slow her down. In this episode, we cover: What The Venture Center is and how it supports entrepreneurs in Arkansas Their 12-week program for veteran-owned businesses, connecting vets with SBA resources, attorneys, marketing pros, and more Arkansas's emerging role as a lithium hub — what's happening in South Arkansas, who's involved (think Standard Lithium, Exxon, Tetra, and others), and what it could mean for jobs, schools, and communities statewide Sarah's book, Chair Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Pain, available now at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Walmart How her yoga mindset shows up in her work with entrepreneurs: breathe, get present, focus on what you can do today What it's like being the only woman — and often the only woman of color and person with a disability — in high-level rooms, and how she handles it Her advice for women and girls interested in STEM: always be a student, find mentors, and then turn around and teach Resources mentioned: The Venture Center: venturecenter.co Women in Tech Central Arkansas (sponsored by Google and Walmart) National MS Society Sarah's mantra: Don't waste your breath on negativity. Use it for positivity. Be your own hero.

Becky Liedel didn't plan on a career in manufacturing. A phone call from a friend led to a temp role — and 25 years later, she's VP of Commercial Planning & Business Development at Associated Metal Forming Technologies (AMFT), helping transform a 168-year-old legacy company into a unified global manufacturing platform. In this episode, Becky gets real about what that transformation has actually looked like: integrating multiple legacy brands and navigating commercial strategy across automotive, aerospace, medical, and defense markets. She also opens up about leading as a woman in one of manufacturing's most male-dominated spaces — the opportunities and the mindset that's carried her throughout her career. Learn more about Becky on our website!