Guest Speakers:

A true trailblazer in rodeo, Linsay Rosser Sumpter wears many hats—rancher, horse trainer, Women’s Rodeo Championship Commissioner, collegiate agriculture professor, and mom of two. A third-generation member of the legendary Rosser rodeo family, she has dedicated her life to preserving and advancing the Western lifestyle.

Linsay spent 15 seasons as head rodeo coach at Otero College, molding students both in the arena and the classroom, and now also serves as Assistant Coach for Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo team, FreeRiders, the 2024 inaugural winners. She previously worked in PR and marketing with Professional Bull Riders (PBR), and today continues to compete as a professional breakaway roper.

Honored with the Western Sports Foundation Gritt Award and the Montana Silversmiths Trailblazer Award, Linsay brings passion, experience, and unstoppable energy to every role she takes on.

Elly Durham is the Market President of Stockmens Bank, a community-focused institution with branches across Colorado, Missouri, and Nebraska. A former El Pomar Foundation Fellow, she has built her career on leadership, service, and a deep commitment to rural communities.

Elly serves as Chair of the Penrose St. Francis Hospital Foundation Board, Treasurer of the Eastern Plains Cowbelles, Finance Chair of the Colorado Springs Debutante Ball Committee, and Secretary of the WRCA Sanctioned Ride for the Brand Ranch Rodeo. She and her family ranch at the intersection of Lincoln, El Paso, Crowley, and Pueblo Counties, where her passion for agriculture runs just as strong as her dedication to community service.

Craig Schroeder, Board President of the Heartland Center for Leadership Development, has dedicated his career to helping rural communities thrive. His leadership spans roles in rural economic development, telecommunications policy, and as Executive Director of the Nebraska Rural Development Commission.

With projects reaching 47 states and multiple countries, Craig has guided more than 60,000 youth and countless community leaders in strategies for youth engagement, entrepreneurship, and rural revitalization. Creator of the Youth Attraction Formula©, he helps Great Plains communities tackle out-migration with fresh, innovative solutions.

In recognition of his impact, Craig was inducted into the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2017.

Jennifer Pollmiller is the Director of Community Outreach for Valley-Wide Health Systems, where she leads the farmworker outreach program and manages media for The Coffee Break Project. A lifelong rodeo athlete, she now calls Manzanola, Colorado home, where she raises quarter horses and a beloved herd of donkeys.

As a dedicated mental health advocate, Jennifer is passionate about strengthening rural communities through creative connections, meaningful engagement, and improving the lives of Coloradans across the region.

Hanna Bates is the Agricultural Outreach Coordinator for The Coffee Break Project with Valley-Wide Health Systems in Rocky Ford, Colorado. She provides day-to-day leadership for the program, connecting farmers, ranchers, and ag workers with vital health screenings and services. Hanna also serves as a certified trainer for COMET: Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory, advancing mental health support in rural communities.

Hanna, her husband, and their two daughters live on a farm and ranch near Manzanola, where they raise alfalfa and manage a small chicken operation. With her deep agricultural roots and passion for community well-being, Hanna bridges the gap between health care and rural life.

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