I met Jessica through her work as the Chief Transformation Officer for AgroRenew, an innovative bioplastics company I wrote about earlier this week when we met Katie L. Southern, the company’s Chief Science Officer. However, today, I want to share more about Jessica’s unexpected path into agribusiness and her work at AgroRenew and beyond. She’s also the host of the Ill-Advised podcast and runs a successful consulting firm specializing in executive coaching.
Jessica’s story shows that leaning into life’s unexpected twists and turns can lead us to places we’d never imagine for ourselves—maybe even places we don’t think we deserve to be. Finding that success comes naturally once we let go of that “imposter syndrome” and learn to start “betting on yourself.”
I also love Jessica’s advice (in her questionnaire at the bottom of the blog post!) to “bite off more than you can chew.” It reaches a bit deeper than the other saying, “Fake it ’til you make it.” If you know the ability is within you all along, you aren’t faking it at all. You’re merely testing the limits of what’s possible!
Who knew that watermelon rinds held the key to a greener, cleaner planet until Brian and Katie put their heads together? AgroRenew’s regenerative mission is a testament to the power of creativity and the endless possibilities that arise when we look at waste (or our own strengths and weaknesses) not as a burden but as an opportunity.
Jessica’s Full-Circle Story
Jessica’s path into the ag world is a testament to the unpredictable nature of life. Born and raised in rural Vincennes, Indiana, she embarked on a professional journey far removed from agriculture despite a short stint picking watermelons (which is sort of kismet, if you think about it!) A little over a year ago, in 2023, she left her executive position at a medical device company to pursue her passion as an executive coach. Now, she’s the Chief Transformation Officer of an innovative ag start-up!
“The fact that I’m having a conversation with FarmHER and reaching your platform is bonkers, insane—because I am not; I have not been connected to agriculture or this industry at all,” Jessica confesses. “But to answer your question about my exposure to agriculture, I worked in the melon fields for about two weeks in high school, and that was it.”
After graduating from Indiana University with an English and Political Science degree, she planned to become an attorney. She moved to Arizona and later Utah, diving into diverse fields like real estate, insurance, nonprofit fundraising, and even brain implant communications!
“My career path has taken a lot of different twists and turns along the way,” she explains. “In my most recent position, when I worked at this brain implant biotech medical device startup, where I managed people who had been living and breathing this science for years. I was one of the only people without a science or engineering degree — and the amount of imposter syndrome I felt was out of this world. I was like, ‘I’m the most uneducated person in every room because everyone has a master’s degree, PhD, or MD. Like, literally, I’ve completed a Bachelor’s, and they’re so much more educated than me. They understand this in a way that I don’t and never will.’ It was very intense.”
Transforming Imposter Syndrome into Opportunity
Squashing her own imposter syndrome not–so-simply required a shift in perspective. She also realized that almost everyone on every rung of the ladder deals with some level of self-doubt.
“What I realized is that I had skills I could offer them, and it was in that coaching sector of, ‘Hey, how can I help facilitate [and] bring out the best of you?'” Jessica said. “Brilliant, incredible people in their field were telling me, “Hey, I don’t know how to handle this situation,’ or ‘I’m feeling some imposter syndrome of my own.’ As I was managing, I was coaching. I realized this is what I have to offer. This is the contribution that I can make. Seeing that play out with people who were so technically brilliant grounded me. You don’t have to have a science or technical background to make an impact in a science and technology organization. You can still have a place here, and your skills benefit everyone.”
Through discovering her strengths, she’s found great purpose and success by helping other executives do the same. However, her story is far from over — as her journey with AgroRenew only begins here.
Transforming Circumstances into Opportunity for Growth
When her father fell ill, Jessica returned to Vincennes to care for him, thinking it would be a temporary move. Little did she know this decision would be another huge turning point in her career. While in Vincennes, she met Brian and Katie, the founders of AgroRenew.
They saw an exciting intersection between Jessica’s coaching expertise and their innovative work in agriculture and technology. This serendipitous meeting led Jessica to join the company, blending the skills she teaches as an executive coach with their vision to create something new and impactful.
“That’s what we’re doing at AgroRenew,” Jessica says, explaining some of her role with the company. “We’re trying to teach these skills and make them part of the fabric of the culture there. You know, “How do you manage things like imposter syndrome? How do you manage self-doubt? How do you manage to overwhelm, stress, and worry when it comes to workplace matters and stuff at home? We want that to be a part of what we teach and train people, not just how to do their jobs but also how to enjoy their lives more.”
Helping Craft a Win-Win-Win Company
As they await the opening of their new facility, Jessica and Katie are hard at work building the company they want to run. They are developing benefits and programs to support their staff, like an in-office early childhood development center and free, nutritious meal programs. It’s super inspiring! They both agreed that their biggest achievement thus far is their goal of “putting people first.”
From their current (and future) employees to the farmers they are helping, too.
“As I think about what I’m most proud of that we’ve accomplished so far, the first thing that came to mind was a conversation I had with one of our growers. He said, ‘You know, I can’t believe this. When we heard about this as a concept, not only were we getting rid of our crop waste, but they’re also going to pay us for it?’ It goes back to what Katie said about putting people first. Making a win-win-win is really something that goes far beyond making money as a company or even the products themselves. The fact that we were able to create this solution that is a win-win-win. That, in itself, is a real point of pride.”
Finding Common Ground: The Struggle with Imposter Syndrome
Jessica’s and Katie’s stories highlight the beauty of embracing change and being open to new experiences (even when it’s uncomfortable). Their diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives have enriched AgroRenew, showcasing how varied expertise can contribute to innovative solutions in any field.
“Today, we’ve mentioned a few buzzwords like, ‘Fake it ’til you make it,” and ‘imposter syndrome; and, I recently went to this webinar session where it was all about imposter syndrome,” Katie adds, as we’re all chatting over a video call. “I was astounded by how many women have that feeling. Even women who are CEOs or director level who have been working in the industry for 30-40 years — women who I admire and look up to — still feel that way. I was shocked and sort of relieved that they were vulnerable enough to share that we were all in the same boat.”
Katie continues: “No one has everything figured out, and that’s okay, but it’s what you do. No one expects you to have all the answers, but people do expect you to learn and to grow and just to be able to problem solve. I encourage all your young FarmHERs out there that it’s okay if you feel like an impostor sometimes. ‘Fake it ’til you make it’ works. One day, you’ll realize that you’re doing it. You’ve gained experience. People are coming to you, asking for your advice, and that [self-doubt] is natural and something everyone goes through.”
When I asked Jessica what advice she’d give to her younger self or someone else hoping to tread the path she’s forged in agribusiness, she had a couple of great things to share:
“I always say: There is a zero-percent chance, if you had told me three years ago, ‘Jessica, you’re going to run communications for a brain implant company;’ I would have said, “You’re insane. I’m not qualified to do that.'” She told me. “And, if you told me a year ago, ‘You’re going to move back to Vincennes and become the Chief Transformation Officer for a bioplastics company,’ I would have said, ‘You’re insane. I’m not qualified, and that doesn’t exist.'”
She continues: “So, I think I would say two things to others or to my past self: First, you have no idea where your career is going to go, and that’s okay. You can be comfortable with the uncertainty of where your career is going to go. If you allow that to be the case, interesting opportunities and doors will open for you if you can keep an open mind. Second, ‘bite off more than you can chew.’ Do things you don’t think you’re quote, unquote, qualified to do because you’ll get there.”
She also had one more piece of advice: Get out there and meet people.
“If I could offer a third piece of very simple advice, it would be to leave your house,” she said, smiling. “Leave your house and go meet people. Interact in person. Go to a coworking space. The best opportunities have come to me because I left my house and met new people, and it’s so difficult! We’re all like it is. We don’t have to leave the house if we don’t want to, right? It’s all about connecting with people; that is where you get the depth of who someone really is.”
So, remember Jessica and Katie next time you find yourself at a crossroads and don’t always know what you bring to the table at your operation. Sometimes, the most unexpected paths can lead to the most rewarding destinations. Stay curious, stay open, and who knows? You might just end up revolutionizing an industry you never thought you’d be part of!
20 Questions with AgroRenew Chief Transformation Officer Jessica Ell
1. What is your favorite fruit or vegetable? (Or favorite food, in general.)
Pineapple. Broccoli is pretty solid on the veggie side.
2. What is your favorite recipe?
I don’t cook, but I love smashed avocado and hummus on toast with salt, pepper, and Tabasco.
You’re making chili: Beans or NO beans?
Beans! They’re a nutritional superfood.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Head straight to the coffee maker for coffee and journaling.
Coffee, Tea, or something else? (And how do you fix the perfect cup of that?)
Coffee and oat milk!
What is your favorite holiday? Do you associate any family traditions related to that day you’d like to share?
New Year’s Day—I love the freshness of new possibilities that come in January, so I never overindulge on New Year’s Eve. I like to wake up at my best on the first day of the year.
What’s your go-to item of clothing right now (or) your wardrobe staple?
Anything in linen! I love The Tiny Closet’s linen dresses in particular.
What’s your favorite book (or) movie (or) record (or) podcast?
My favorite fiction book is “The White Magic Five & Dime” by Lisa Falco and Steve Hockensmith. It makes me laugh out loud every time I read it. My non-fiction favorite is “Steering By Starlight” by Martha Beck. That book changed my life when I first read it in 2013.
What are three items/products you can’t live without?
- Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light – I’ve used one for about a decade, and it’s a total game-changer for dark winter mornings.
- Leucchturm1917 Dot-Grid Journals – I’m an avid journaler, and these are my favorite by far.
- Bandolier Crossbody Phone Case —I hate carrying purses and handbags, so whenever possible, I just take my Bandolier case. It has a pocket for credit cards and cash, so you don’t need to carry an extra bag. Freedom!
What is your guilty pleasure? (It can be anything!)
Botox. I’m in need of a refresher.
What’s something at the top of your Bucket List?
I’d love to try my hand at being a commercial real estate developer. Maybe a little project to start – one mixed-use building or something. But I don’t have a “bucket list,” per se. I think about it as a Life BINGO card. If life calls out a number on my BINGO card, cool! But I’m not actively pursuing them. This leaves more space for interesting and unexpected things to find me.
Where is the most amazing place you’ve ever traveled?
I’m a big fan of Santa Barbara wine country—especially if you take the train up the coast to SB!
If you won the lottery, what is the very first thing you’d buy with the winnings?
There’s this house on the west side of Lake Tahoe…
What’s an interesting fact you think everyone should know?
A fire has been burning under Centralia, Pennsylvania, since the mid-20th century and is expected to continue for another 1000 years.
Who is a person you admire from history, living or dead?
Joseph Campbell – articulated the human cycle of change by studying cultures and storytelling traditions from all over the world and found a universal experience of challenge, growth, and transformation. That has deeply informed my personal journey and the work I do as a coach and corporate leader.
Who is a person you admire in your personal life?
There are so many. But I especially admire my private coaching clients. I get to see the stuff most people don’t (the doubt, indecision, imposter syndrome), and to see them make continual progress and achieve incredible things is so rewarding. I recently worked with a client while he applied to some very elite graduate schools, and he got into Harvard. I ran around the house screaming for a minute – I’m just in awe of what he has already accomplished and the contribution he’s going to make in his field.
Who is the first person you think to call when something good happens?
Usually, my dad!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Bite off more than you can chew. I got this advice years ago when I was fretting over whether to buy my first house. A couple of friends who were fifteen or so years older than me told me to just go for it—that I’d continue to advance in my career, make more money, and I’d wish I’d stretched a little and bought the house. This has turned out to be true in every area of life. “Biting off more than you can chew” and betting on yourself that you can figure it out is how we grow.
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