Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast

What does it take to build a career that bridges teaching, research and global engagement? Join Dr. Ken Foster and Brady Wiley as they welcome Jerry Shively, Associate Dean and Director of International Programs in Agriculture at Purdue University and a 2025 Fellow of the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association. In this conversation, Dr. Shively reflects on his career as a scholar, teacher and leader in agricultural economics. From his academic journey at Purdue to his global research and professional service, he shares the lessons learned along the way and the insights that have earned him recognition as one of the field’s most distinguished contributors.

Join Dr. Valerie Kilders and Reagan Koester as they welcome Scott Mitchell, a 2025 Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award recipient from Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics. From his roots in Waveland, Indiana, to his leadership experiences across the globe with Sumitomo Chemical, Scott reflects on his career journey in the agriculture sector. Listen in as he shares how his Purdue education shaped his path, the lessons he’s carried forward and the insights he has gained through a career of impact and innovation.

For the last time, Shay Doerstler and Marie Mechley share their final thoughts as co-hosts of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast. Listen as they reflect on some of their most memorable experiences at Purdue that shaped their four years here. They also reveal what’s next for them after graduation.

Stay tuned as we welcome next year’s co-hosts, Reagan Koester and Brady Wiley, who are excited to continue sharing the stories and experiences of Purdue Agriculture students!

Join Dr. Ken Foster and Shay Doerstler as they sit down with Chrissie Cartmell Loucks (B.S. Agribusiness Management, ‘07), one of four recipients of the department’s most prestigious honor—the Apex Alumni Award. Now serving as Portfolio Manager for Digital Aftermarket Products at John Deere, Chrissie reflects on nearly 18 years of leadership in the agriculture industry and how her Purdue education continues to shape her path. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on career growth, mentorship and making a meaningful impact—no matter the size of your community.

Please join Dr. Kilders and Marie Mechley as they have the honor to speak with this year’s James C. Snyder Lecturer, Esther L. George. Esther, the former CEO and President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, shares about her career and the impact of agriculture in her journey. Tune in for insights on the cycles of the economy, the impact of inflation and interest rates and advice for those figuring out what they want to do with their career.

Join Dr. Valerie Kilders and Marie Mechley as they welcome Amy Kinsler, a Purdue Agricultural Economics Alum and the Chief Experience Officer at Keystone Cooperative, onto the podcast. Amy provides some great insights as she reflects on her career journey and the 2024 merger of Indiana-based agriculture and energy cooperatives, Ceres Solutions Cooperative, Inc. and Co-Alliance Cooperative, Inc., which came together to form Keystone Cooperative, Inc. Listen in as she discusses the challenges and opportunities that come along with a merger.

Please join Shay and Marie as they speak with Dr. Dave Downey, founder and executive director emeritus of Purdue’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business, and Dr. Scott Downey, the center’s current director and a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Together, they have played key roles in developing and teaching Purdue’s Ag Econ 331 and 431 courses. Learn about how Purdue’s sales program was created, the global impact of the Center, and how the father-son pair has both impacted thousands of Purdue students and industry leaders.

In this episode, Dr. Ken Foster and Shay Doerstler sit down with Dr. Jay Akridge, a Purdue alumnus whose impact on the university spans nearly four decades. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Akridge shares insights from his 38-year journey at Purdue, discussing his experiences shaping students, faculty, and academic programs and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He also reflects on the prestigious awards he’s received, including his most recent, the Certificate of Distinction from the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association and the 2024 Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Educational Service to Rural People of Indiana from the Purdue College of Agriculture.

 

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on leadership, education, and Dr. Akridge's legacy of excellence! 

 

Dr. Akridge also runs a blog with Purdue Distinguished Professor of Economics Dr. David Hummels, titled "Finding Equilibrium: Two Economists on Higher Ed's Future." Read and subscribe to their blog: https://substack.com/@jayakridge