A leader in the North American agriculture community says there needs to be more women voices in leadership positions.

DuPont Vice President Krysta Harden says while the number of women in leadership has improved there is still a lot of work to do.

“I think they get to a level and then it’s hard to get to that board level, that CEO level, that leadership level, even the head of some of the major groups and Co-ops,” said Harden.

Harden says while she is very optimistic there will soon be more women in top positions, there are still barriers that need to be removed.

“We’re a very traditional industry, some of it is just history and tradition that folks are dealing with, women often have more demands on their family life balance so they might not be ready at certain times to move up, but they often get there. Kids grow up, they get older and then the women are ready to take on an outside role in the business or someone else’s business.  I think it is just about changing the dialogue a little bit, being a little more flexible as an industry, and recognizing and really valuing the contribution of women.”

She is encouraging women that if it at first you don’t succeed, try, try again, because the industry needs you.

“We need your voice, we need your involvement, we need your energy, we need your ideas, we need your talents stick with it.”

Harden was a keynote speaker at the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference in Calgary in March.