Keynote Speakers

Eloris Speight joined Alcorn State University in March 2016 as Director of the National Policy Research Center (Policy Center). In this capacity she leads the Policy Center in conducting research on policy impacting select farmers and ranchers and making policy recommendations that will improve the success of all farmers. The Policy Center played a key role in advocating for items that are included in the 2018 Farm Bill, which benefit farmers.

Ms. Speight brings a wealth of knowledge and experience (20 plus years) in Leadership and Organizational Development. She spent 10 years as a career federal employee at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), reaching the rank of senior executive, and 20 years in the private sector (Fannie Mae) serving in key administrative positions. At the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Ms. Speight served as the Deputy Administrator for Management and in various Human Resources positions. She was the first Black Female to hold the position of Deputy Administrator in the 80+ year history of the Agency. As Deputy Administrator for Management, she provided agency and operational leadership for key administrative areas including human resources, finance, information technology, acquisitions, civil rights, and outreach and advocacy.

Ms. Speight has a BS in Accounting from Hampton University, an MBA-Finance from the University of Maryland and a MA in Human Resources Development from the George Washington University. She completed her course work towards a Doctorate in Education and Human Development at the George Washington University (ABD).