How do you become the kind of leader people look up to, turn to and go the extra mile for? Mara Downing, VP, Corporate Communications & Brand Management with Deere & Company and President of the John Deere Foundation has been building her career at Deere since 2000. She is the type of Quad Citizen that many go to for professional advice and aspire to be.

When Mara started at Deere she wasn't thinking about alleviating poverty in India or leading the brand and communications function at a Fortune 100 company. Mara discovered her path to becoming a leader through building a portfolio of experiences. She will share nine important lessons that she's learned along the way and a message on how moments can create opportunities that impact your leadership journey.

About the speaker:

Mara holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from St. Ambrose University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Mara has responsibility for the company's worldwide communications activities. She also leads the groups responsible for brand management, brand licensing, corporate archives, attractions & guest services, and corporate citizenship.

Mara began her career with Deere in 2000 in the tax department. She later moved to public affairs as manager of state public affairs and director of international affairs. She was named director of corporate citizenship in 2010 and later assumed responsibility for brand management. In 2017 her role was expanded to include brand licensing.

This event is open to InternQC participants, YPQC members, and Quad Cities Chamber members.