Two new Trustees have joined the National 4-H Council Board, bringing with them a wealth of experience from a diverse range of industries, including education, government, agriculture, and business.
Dr. Juliette Bell, who leads the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as its president, is known as an educator who encourages her students to pursue careers in STEM. In addition, Krysta Harden joins the board having served in various leadership roles, including previously at the United States Department of Agriculture with a focus on conservation and sustainability as well as expanding opportunities for the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and emboldening rural communities with the resources they need to thrive.
“We are extremely grateful to these new Trustees for bringing their leadership and expertise as well as their passion for empowering young people to Council’s Board,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4‑H Council. “They will be important partners in the Board’s work to continue to engage alumni as well as support the 4‑H system’s goal of significantly increasing investment and participation in Cooperative Extension’s 4‑H program.”
Dr. Juliette Bell, President, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Dr. Bell, a 4‑H alumna from Alabama, is the 15th president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a 4,500-student land-grant university which was founded in 1886. Dr. Bell was the first in her family to earn a college degree and credits her late parents for instilling in her a work ethic that has served her well throughout her prestigious career.
Having graduated as valedictorian of her bachelor’s degree class in chemistry, Dr. Bell went on to earn her Ph.D. in chemistry from Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University), before going on to do post-doctoral work in biochemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Among her many honors, Dr. Bell has received the National Role Model Citation from Minority Access, Inc., and the Millennium Award for Excellence in Teaching in STEM at Historically Black Colleges from the White House.
Krysta Harden, External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Officer, Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont
Krysta Harden, a 4‑H alumna from Georgia, is responsible for developing and leading Corteva Agriscience’s External Affairs function which includes, global government and industry affairs, communications, community investment, as well as its sustainability efforts. Harden is a widely respected leader with experience in natural resource conservation, agriculture policy and sustainability. As deputy secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (2013-2016), Harden shaped food and agriculture policy, including leading the implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill. At USDA and throughout her career, Harden has focused on expanding opportunities for women, young people, immigrants, socially disadvantaged producers, returning veterans and retirees.
Harden also spent five years as CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), providing national leadership for natural resource conservation. Harden received her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Georgia.
