INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Dec. 11, 2023) – The National FFA Foundation announced its new chair for the Sponsors’ Board during the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis this fall.

Mary Snapp, vice president of strategic initiatives for Microsoft, was named chair for the upcoming year. Snapp grew up in rural Kansas and joined Microsoft in 1988 as the company’s first female attorney. She currently leads various strategic initiatives in the Office of the Vice Chair and President. She formerly led Microsoft’s legal support for all of its product and engineering teams, as well as Microsoft’s Global Philanthropies team, partnering with nonprofits and communities across the world to use technology to create a lasting positive impact.

“I am honored to serve as chair of FFA’s Corporate Sponsors’ Board, and to continue Microsoft’s partnership with FFA on its mission to grow our next generation of leaders,” said Snapp. “As digital technologies help extend agriculture’s long history of innovation, it is critical that FFA continues to provide its nearly one million members with the tools and skills that they need for the future, and we are proud to support that.”

The National FFA Sponsors’ Board is made up of top corporate executives who wish to support agricultural education and the National FFA Organization. During their service, sponsors’ board members are integral to advising National FFA on opportunities to improve programs and secure funding for the continued development of the next generation of leaders who will change the world.

In addition to Snapp being named the board chair, six other new board members were announced. Those include Jackie Bailey, senior vice president of transportation for CHS Inc.; John Barton, chief financial officer for Ardent Mills; Mel Halkyard, vice president, global digital transformation for Elanco Animal Health; Jim Krombach, director of quality assurance for Culvers Franchising System, LLC; Clint Mefford, head of U.S. livestock communications and marketing operations for Zoetis; and Joe Michaels, senior director of product portfolio planning for Kubota North America.

These members will serve on the board for three years.

“We are incredibly grateful for the time, expertise and support that our board members provide to National FFA,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation. “Their guidance helps us ensure FFA prepares members to be the next generation of leaders that the industry needs while engaging new audiences in our life-changing work.”

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About Agriculture Future of America
AFA builds bridges for young leaders to foster engagement and innovation in food and agriculture through premier leader and career development experiences. With program participation increasing 28% in the last five years, AFA has provided 26,000 leader development experiences to college leaders and young professionals from more than 200 colleges and universities throughout 43 states since its inception in 1996. AFA has awarded more than $11.5 million in academic and leader development scholarships. For more information about AFA, visit agfuture.org.

About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.