National Leadership Team

Adriana Toste

adriana@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 1 & 2: CA, WA, NM
Alpha Iota, Beta Omega, Alpha Sigma

Adriana Toste is a passionate and goal-oriented agricultural communications professional with a strong background in content development, creative services, and strategic marketing. A native of Gustine, California, Adriana grew up on her family’s dairy farm and was active in 4-H and FFA, experiences that shaped her career as an advocate for agriculture. She earned her B.S. in Agricultural Communications from Oklahoma State University, where she served as 1st Vice President of Sigma Alpha, and previously attended Modesto Junior College, earning three associate degrees. Adriana now lives in Sacramento, CA, and works as an Account Executive for Cogent Consulting & Communications, serving leading agricultural clients. She also chairs the Sacramento County Young Farmers & Ranchers and enjoys cooking, staying active, and exploring Northern California’s food and wineries. 

Bryn Swearingen

bryn@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 1, 4, & 6: UT, TX, TN
Gamma Eta, Gamma Theta, Gamma Zeta

Bryn is an alumna of the Alpha Omega Chapter at Kansas State University where she received an undergraduate and a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics. She currently is an Agricultural Economist for the USDA-Economic Research Service in Kansas City, Missouri, where her research focuses are wheat markets, price analysis, and grain storage. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, crafting, and spending time with her niece and nephews.

Mabel Thompson

mabel@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 2 & 3: CO, AZ, MO
Nu, Alpha Rho, Alpha Beta

Mabel Thompson is an alumna of Washington State University’s Beta Omega Chapter. A member from 2018 to 2021, she served as a chapter officer all three years. She holds a degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology and has over 10 years of experience in youth development, including summer camps, scholarship programs, and after-school initiatives. Mabel is passionate about building safe, engaging communities and enjoys hiking, reading, and time with her dog. 

Kate Schoenberg

kate@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 4, 6, & 9: MS, AL, GA
Beta Upsilon, Beta Eta, Alpha Omicron, Beta Nu

Kate Schoenberg is an alumna of the Alpha Omega Chapter at Kansas State University, where she earned a degree in Horticulture. She currently works in the insurance industry and, in her free time, enjoys reading, baking, caring for plants, and spending time with her dog, Remi. She’s excited to support sisters in this new role. 

Heidi Russ

heidi@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 2, 3, 7, & 9: OK, MO, KY, NC, FL
Beta Psi, Alpha Xi, Beta Sigma, Alpha Theta, Beta Gamma

Heidi Russ graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Agronomy, concentrating in Crop Management and Business with an emphasis in Seed Science. She has worked in seed quality testing and currently serves as a Professional Farm Manager with Hertz Farm Management in Iowa. Heidi also owns Cynch Photography. She lives near Durant, Iowa, with her husband Nathan and enjoys photography, agriculture, and supporting women in ag. 

Courtney Williams

courtney@sigmaalpha.org
Region 5: IN, IL
Beta, Sigma, Alpha Gamma

Courtney Williams is a Sales Enablement Manager for a regional livestock feed company, with more than seven years of experience in sales and training. Raised on a Missouri cow/calf operation, she grew up active in 4-H and FFA. A third-generation Mizzou Tiger, Courtney earned her B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Missouri, where she was an active Sigma Alpha member, and later earned an M.S. in Beef Cattle Nutrition from Oklahoma State University. She lives near Kansas City, MO, with her husband and two daughters. 

Megan O’Brien

megan@sigmaalpha.org
Region 4: LA, TX
Zeta, Alpha Zeta, Alpha Eta

Megan O’Brien is an alumna of the Beta Pi Chapter and is beginning her eighth year teaching agricultural science and serving as an FFA advisor. Passionate about developing strong, empowered leaders, Megan is excited to serve as a Chapter Success Coach and support chapters in growing within the sisterhood.
When she’s not in the classroom, Megan enjoys spending time outdoors or relaxing with a good book. She believes in making an impact through acts of service and is eager to help cultivate leadership and growth in Sigma Alpha.

Sarah Coffman

sarahc@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 3 & 6: IA, TN, AR
Delta, Theta, Iota, Beta Tau

Sarah Coffman is an alumna of the Alpha Psi Chapter at Cornell University, where she studied Plant Science and Agricultural Science. After earning an M.S. in Soil Science from Texas A&M in 2021, she planted roots in Aggieland, working in climate tech and carbon markets to support farmers and ranchers. In her free time, Sarah enjoys family time, quilting, and tending her backyard flock. 

Sarah Hoog

sarahh@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 7, 8, & 9: MI, KY, OH, NY, VA, SC, WV
Gamma, Beta Phi, Gamma Alpha, Gamma Delta, Pi, Tau, Chi

Sarah Hoog loves helping students grow personally and professionally. An alumna of the Alpha Chapter at Ohio State, she has experience in curriculum design, workshop facilitation, and food science. Sarah now runs a stationery business and works in career preparation. She enjoys reading, crafting, and supporting small businesses. 

Katie Hewitt

katie@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 3, 5, 6, & 7: MO, IL, WI, TN, AR, OH, KY,
Omicron, Alpha Mu, Beta Delta, Beta Theta, Beta Rho, Alpha, Alpha Upsilon, Beta Omicron

Katie Hewitt is an alumna of the Delta Chapter at Iowa State University. Originally from Sand Creek, Michigan, she now lives in Lyle, Minnesota, and works as a Senior Brand Analyst for Hormel Foods. Katie loves travel, family time, and cheering for the Detroit Lions, Michigan, and Iowa State teams. 

Jennifer Burmaster

jennifer@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 1, 2, & 3: OR, ID, MT, KS, ND, SD
Xi, Beta Epsilon, Gamma Beta, Alpha Omega, Beta Mu, Upsilon, Omega

Jennifer began her Sigma Alpha journey at Stephen F. Austin State University’s Alpha Eta Chapter before transferring to Washington State University’s Beta Omega Chapter. She earned a degree in Agriculture & Food Business Economics with minors in Precision Agriculture and Geospatial Analysis. Jennifer works as a data analyst in Bozeman, Montana, where she lives with her boyfriend and two lab mixes. 

Maddie Buzzeo

maddie@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 2, 8, & 9: WY, PA, CT, DE, NY, NH, MD
Alpha Epsilon, Epsilon, Eta, Alpha Kappa, Alpha Lambda, Alpha Psi, Beta Kappa, Beta Alpha

Maddie Buzzeo is an alumna of the Alpha Lambda Chapter at Delaware Valley University, where she earned her degree in Sustainable Agricultural Systems and served as fundraising chair and president. She has worked in ag policy with the American Farm Bureau Federation and now serves as a Regional Organization Director for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. She enjoys reading, exploring outdoors, and trivia. 

Lydia Summers – Conduct Specialist

lydia@sigmaalpha.org
Conduct Specialist

Lydia Summers is an alumna of the Epsilon Chapter at Pennsylvania State University. As an undergraduate, she held several leadership positions within her chapter and worked in the Fraternity and Sorority Life office, where she developed a passion for supporting the fraternity and sorority community.
She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at the University of Kansas, preparing to continue serving students in their undergraduate fraternity and sorority experiences.

Carson Drake – Chapter Operations Specialist

carson.drake@sigmaalpha.org
Regions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7: CA, NE, MO, TX, WI, IL, AR, KY
Kappa, Alpha Phi, Alpha Delta, Alpha Chi, Rho, Phi, Alpha Pi, Beta Pi, Alpha Tau, Beta Zeta, Beta Xi, Gamma Epsilon, Beta Chi

Originally from North Carolina, Carson received her B.A. in Communication and Public Relations from Campbell University. Her passion for sorority development and student involvement led her to receive a Masters of Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. Carson has worked at several institutions advising and directing functional areas that include: Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Government Association, New Student Orientation, and Campus Activities. Most recently, she served as the Director of Student Involvement and Presbyterian College. Her desire to support student leaders and organizational growth is what led her to joining the Sigma Alpha team. Carson now resides in Greenville, SC with her husband, son, and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and playing mahjong with friends. 

Kelly Horton

kelly.horton@sigmaalpha.org

Kelly grew up Elko, Nevada and owned a farrow to finish hog operation as well as raising sheep that earned her the American FFA Degree. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics with an emphasis in International Marketing. Kelly worked for a crop protection company, Ciba Geigy, following graduation. She changed career paths as the Executive Director for the Indiana FFA Foundation before working at the National FFA for ten years . She led state officer programming and the development of student programming. She most recently worked for SkillsUSA as the Director of Education. Kelly is passionate about helping women connect to their future careers. She believes in the value and purpose of all individuals. As a result, she wants to help members find their passion and dream career so they can live their best life! In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking and traveling with friends. She now resides in Iowa.

Teresa Brandenburg

teresa.brandenburg@sigmaalpha.org

Teresa has been passionate about agriculture from an early age, rasing sheep and cattle with her grandpa and being active in both 4-H and FFA at the local, state, and national level.  Her passion for agriculture, coupled with her desire to help others succeed, led her to earn her B.S. in Agriculture Education from Iowa State University, where she was an active member of the Delta Chapter.

After graduation, she moved to Kansas where she and her husband, Luke, are the fifth generation on his family’s farm with their three boys. They raise soybeans, wheat, and grain sorghum and manage a cow-calf herd, and Teresa has volunteered with the Kansas Soybean Association for over 13 years, recently finishing her term as Board President.  In 2019, after nearly a decade in the classroom as a science and agriculture teacher, Teresa came to work at Sigma Alpha Headquarters, where she loves having the opportunity to work with and serve her sisters!

Carson Drake

carson.drake@sigmaalpha.org

Originally from North Carolina, Carson received her B.A. in Communication and Public Relations from Campbell University. Her passion for sorority development and student involvement led her to receive a Masters of Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. 

Carson has worked at several institutions advising and directing functional areas that include: Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Government Association, New Student Orientation, and Campus Activities. Most recently, she served as the Director of Student Involvement and Presbyterian College. Her desire to support student leaders and organizational growth is what led her to joining the Sigma Alpha team. Carson now resides in Greenville, SC with her husband, son, and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and playing mahjong with friends. 

Nicole Wilson

nicole.wilson@sigmaalpha.org

Nicole grew up in Grundy Center, Iowa. After graduating from high school, began her academic journey at North Iowa Area Community College. Her path soon led her to Des Moines Area Community College, where she delved deeper into her passion of Photography and Videography. Nicole earned her Video Production Degree and an Associate Degree.

She and her husband reside in Clear Lake, IA, where she worked at a haven for wellness enthusiasts. Through her role, she not only managed the store’s operations but also fostered a sense of community, guiding customers on their wellness journeys and leveraging her creativity to enhance the store’s online presence. Nicole recently joined the staff of Sigma Alpha Sorority. She was drawn to the sorority’s mission of fostering belonging and leadership among women in Agriculture.

In Nicole’s free time, she finds solace in hiking, paddle boarding, or tending to her garden. She finds joy in reading, dancing, and traveling. As Nicole looks to the future, she envisions living on an acreage with dreams of tending to an expansive garden and raising livestock.

Michelle Bufkin Horton

Michelle Bufkin Horton, an alumna of the Beta Eta chapter of Sigma Alpha, currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association. Stepping into this role during a time of organizational transition, she has led ACA through renewed financial stability, strengthened leadership engagement, and expanded statewide impact. Her focus on transparency, strategic planning, and member-driven growth has positioned the association for long-term success.

With a background in agricultural communications and policy, Michelle has expanded ACA’s influence through legislative efforts, building upon existing partnerships, and growing key events, including the annual convention and statewide membership programs.  

Michelle holds degrees in Agricultural Communications from Auburn University and Texas Tech University. She continues to give back through national leadership roles in Sigma Alpha, as well as through volunteer service in other agriculture organizations.

Carmen N. Benson

Carmen Benson, PhD is a Fulbright Specialist, U.S. Army combat veteran, and youth development expert with over 16 years of experience in project management and capacity building across the U.S. and internationally. Her career is driven by a passion to empower women in agricultural research, extension, and education around the world.

Carmen currently serves as the Food Security Practice Lead at Tetra Tech, where she designs, manages, and evaluates international programs focused on food systems transformation, climate-smart agriculture, and agricultural research. Her diverse background includes rewarding volunteer, military, and professional experiences in the United States, Afghanistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste. 

Brooke Greene

Brooke received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Agriculture Business from the University of Tennessee in 2011.  While there, she served as the Theta chapter Treasurer for two years.  Brooke currently works as a Key Account Manager for ADM in their Animal Nutrition division.  When not answering phone calls from customers, Brooke enjoys relaxing at her home in central Illinois with her husband and critters or traveling to her beef farm in East Tennessee and visiting family.

Shelby Martin

Shelby Martin is an alumna of the Beta Gamma Chapter of Sigma Alpha at the University of Florida and graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a minor in Agricultural Communications. Shelby served as the semi-formal and formal chair as well as the first vice president during her undergraduate career and was a facilitator at the 2023 Sigma Alpha/Alpha Gamma Rho Leadership Seminars. Since 2021, Shelby has served as the Communications Coordinator for the Florida Farm Bureau. Additionally, Shelby serves in multiple leadership roles; she is the director of educational services for the Florida Public Relations Gainesville Chapter board, University of Florida Sigma Alpha alumni chapter president and is completing her first term on the Sigma Alpha National Sorority Board as the director of communications.  In her free time, Shelby enjoys traveling to new states, running and spending time with her beagle, Hank.

Kimberly Stassen Neumann

Kim earned her bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness from North Dakota State University in December of 2009. An alumna of the Upsilon Chapter and an active member of the Sigma Alpha NDSU Alumnae, she was inducted into the chapter’s Alumnae Hall of Fame in 2018. She served the Sorority on a national level as a Chapter Consultant from 2011-2014 and as Vice President from 2015-2019. Kim is a loan officer at AgCountry Farm Credit Services and serves on the Women’s Group bringing educational and networking opportunities to female customers. She is a Director on the American Berkshire Foundation Board and the Treasurer of the Redwood County Corn & Soybean Growers Association. Kim and her husband, Brad, live on Brad’s family farm near Wabasso, MN. Because of the tremendous impact Sigma Alpha made in her life, Kim wants to ensure that same experience is available to fellow sisters.