Agricultural lead for Helianth Partners efforts to identify and deploy innovations that create more equitable solutions in our agri-food systems – from food, feed, and fuel to farmers, distributors, and landowners. This includes providing expert analysis and advising on-farm economics, supply chain management, distribution, and market data for agricultural goods.

Michelle Klieger founded Stratagerm Consulting, in 2018, to develop and execute solutions to the challenges that companies, governments, and consumers face. Ms. Klieger combines her unique agricultural experience, education, and passion to tackle business challenges with strategic, market-based solutions.Farmers, agricultural businesses, consumers, and governments make decisions that maximize their welfare. By understanding the drivers that influence these decisions, Ms. Klieger works with business leaders, non-profit organizations, philanthropic foundations, and governments to achieve the outcomes they want.

Portfolia creates investment funds backing entrepreneurial companies we want to see in the world and combines the best of angel investing with a strategic venture fund structure. As an investor in the Portfolia Food and AgTech fund, I back companies working in a sector I have dedicated my career to. T

Adjunct professor of Introduction to Microeconomics.

Spearhead strategy, execution, programming, member engagement, and liaison activities for the International Program funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Responsible for annual grant application and $1.5M program budget. Hold total ownership of the International Executive Committee's (IEC) 2-day strategy meeting held twice a year. Report quarterly to ASTA Board of Directors and IEC. Supervise direct reports (Manager). Report directly to SVP, Domestic & International Policy.Extended Memorandum of Understanding between ASTA and China National Seed Association, facilitating excellent relations. Developed and executed a dozen activities in China and served as head of delegation. Resulted in policy changes in China, which are beneficial to the US seed industry. Awarded $826K USDA grant for 3-year research project, "Effects of Seed Quality Management Practices on Phytosanitary Risk Reduction," expected to reduce non-tariff based trade barriers. Expanded scope and capacity of the International Program with minimal budgetary impact while driving staffing and resource efficiency. Based on improved activities with strong results, USDA increased grant funds 81% since 2013 despite sequestrations. Elevated member communications, market research sharing, and meetings with US Embassy agriculture officials and led to law changes that kept $20M Argentina seed market open to US companies. Selected as technical subject matter expert to represent US seed industry positions at meetings, congresses, workshops, and conferences around the world, including South America. Topics include reducing non-tariff barriers, intellectual property rights, use of molecular markers, international treaties and free trade agreements, and the status of US agriculture. Serve on Board of Directors for Asia and Pacific Seed Association, Seed Association of the Americas, and U.S. Agriculture Export Development Council.

Provide analysis and support on an array of projects, proposals, research reports, and presentations for $2M food and agriculture consulting firm specializing in market research, program evaluations, and strategic market analysis for government agencies (US, foreign), trade associations, and US exporter organizations. Collaborate daily with senior staff and communicate with clients and subcontractors. Report directly to President/CEO.• Proved critical in program evaluation of US export organization through in-depth analysis of research findings that showed the program's success was overestimated by $100M+ due to poor data collection. Managed, cleaned, and analyzed client data, including 10,000+ surveys. Developed specific tables, which were included in the executive summary. • Collected, analyzed, and presented data on two annual projects, effectively reducing internal costs and increasing profits. Contributed to the national report for the Animal Agriculture overview across 50 states. Currently researching 12 products in 39 countries for annual review on grain and oilseed tariffs and trade barriers by US exporters. • Contributed crop insurance background data that elevated Risk Management Agency project wins to 75% by strengthening effectiveness of feasibility reports, program evaluations, and data collection and ensuring 508 compliance. • Assumed ownership of monthly grain report for the Japanese government (EU-28 grain and oilseed production, trade, price, and weather data), collecting data, updating tables, and writing the report. Saved company $1K+ monthly in fees.• Conducted various in-person interviews for clients and drafted standard interview guide for subcontractors researching US poultry opportunities in the Caribbean and market development programs in Canada.• Wrote three proposals (program evaluations, industry audit), one of which was awarded. Saved company $1K daily.

Prepare and analyze farmer data to support research study for the USDA on farmers' use of technology to interact and communicate with clients. Coordinate activities with graduate assistant. Utilize SPSS predictive analytics software.• Prepared data from previous study and completed new surveys for 800 farmers.

Promoted to help guide expansion into new business area, working with Executive Director on social media consulting projects. Devised methods to improve online market posture and provided writing, research, statistical, and other project management support for initiatives. Reported directly to COO.• Pitched, created, and disseminated twitter guidebook to 200 member organizations, providing step-by-step instructions on account set up, metrics-improving tactics, and communication protocols.• Gained understanding of social market conditions, online influence, and growth opportunities for non-profit organizations and utilized Radian6 social media monitoring platform to monitor online presence.• Initiated, wrote, and monitored weekly blog on social media strategy and web tools that effectively boosted company credibility, increased brand exposure, and enhanced lead generation. • Conducted audit of member websites and wrote survey for the 180+ member community, which helped boost member retention through more effective online presence and resources to meet members' needs. • Developed grant and contract intake system that significantly improved collection effectiveness for the company.

Provided general support to COO, handling day-to-day office operations, coordinating quarterly Board meetings, and developing member/user-training materials. Drove efficiency improvements and opened social media opportunities.• Improved collections by introducing merchant payment system combined with incentive discounts for early payments.• Supported Membership Coordinator in pitching new business; creating and editing technical reports, documents, and videos for member resources; and fielding technical and administrative questions.• Directed seamless office relocation with no disruption in operations, overseeing all aspects to include vendor coordination, landlord relations, permits, asset tracking and selling, and communications.

Provided project and program support to the Communications Director, including event planning and promotions, new publications fact checking, online research, photo database management, and order fulfillment.• Spearheaded photo contest to promote the 20th anniversary conference, and built a free resource pool of quality stock photos. Advertised, secured copyright releases, conducted background checks, and sat on panel of judges. • Created photo database for 250+ digital photos and 1,000+ prints, which significantly saved on time and expenses.• Conducted research, fact checking, and copy editing for online bulletins: Transiting to Organic, Clean Energy Farming. Drafted briefs, presentations, and background materials for online publications.