Gretchen Flanley, president and owner of Sherpa 360° LLC, has over 20 years experience in international agricultural and technical programs, expertise in strategic program design, implementation and evaluation and executive leadership in seed industry association communications strategies and tactics. Currently, she supports the National Corn Growers Association with technical staff services for production inputs. In her career, Ms. Flanley served as an advisor and counsel to high-level U.S. government representatives and was a conduit relating meaningful explanations and practical solutions between technical experts and policy makers and diplomats within bilateral and multilateral negotiations. She has held positions with U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Grains Council, American Seed Trade Association and Bunge Corporation. Gretchen grew up in eastern Pennsylvania and worked for many years in a greenhouse operation. A graduate of West Virginia University, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. After 14 years in Washington, DC, Gretchen returned to her hometown where she currently resides with her son.