New Webinar Series Supports Professional Development and Leadership for Young Floriculture Professionals
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By Greenhouse Grower staff | April 13, 2026
The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is launching a new Young Professionals Council (YPC) Professional Development & Leadership Webinar Series in 2026. Supported by the Demaree Family Floriculture Advancement Fund, the series brings together experts from across academia and the floral industry to share insights with the next generation of professionals. Developed with direct input from the YPC, the series focuses on topics such as career development, grant funding, leadership, current industry challenges and opportunities, and professional branding.
“Our family is honored to support AFE and this initiative. Investing in the next generation is critical to the continued growth and success of the floral industry,” says Laura Shinall, daughter of Del Demaree, Past Chairman of AFE, Managing Partner of FreshPath Marketing, and Chairman of Syndicate Sales.
“This webinar series reflects the kind of forward-thinking education and leadership development that will empower young professionals to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and shape the future of floriculture.”
The Demaree Family Floriculture Advancement Fund supports special projects or programs that address critical and timely challenges facing the floral industry. Through this annual grant program, funding is provided for projects that create innovative resources, education, and advancements that benefit the industry as a whole.
The webinar series will feature both live and recorded sessions, allowing young professionals, students, and early-career faculty to access valuable guidance and resources on demand.
The first session was an industry leader panel: “Stories, Challenges, and Advice for Young Professionals” on April 23 at 1:00 p.m. EST. Speakers included John Burk, DVFlora; Laura Shinall, FreshPath Marketing; and Art Van Wingerden, Metrolina Greenhouses. Currently, the series has five webinars in total running through November of 2026. The full lineup can be found here.
Webinar Series
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May 12, 2026. |. 1 PM EST: Grant Writing for Government and Industry Funding Opportunities
- Speaker: Dr. Erik Runkle, Michigan State University & Dr. Mary Wildermuth, University of California, Berkeley
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July 23, 2026 | 1 PM EST: The Pursuit of Purpose: A Journey of Leadership and Perseverance
- Speaker: Lane DeVries, CalFlowers
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September 17, 2026 | 1 PM EST: Building Your Professional Brand: Strategies for Visibility, Networking, and Career Growth
- Speaker: Dr. Brian Jackson, North Carolina State University
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November 12, 2026 | 1 PM EST: Exploring Career Pathways Across Academia and Industry
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Speaker: Dr. Alicain Carlson, Syngenta Flowers, Dr. JC Chong, SePRO Corporation, & Dr. Jim Owen, Profile Growing Solutions
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