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Lead. Impact. Transform. Podcast - Live Filming
A Series Exploring Transformational Leadership in Today’s World
With Dr. Jewel Bronaugh
October 26, 2023
12:30 PM-2:00 PM
L. Douglas Wilder Building
Carter G Woodson Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23806
Through straightforward conversations with industry leaders, Dr. Bronaugh discusses their experiences, challenges, and strategies that have defined their leadership style. Listeners will gain clear insights and actionable advice, making this podcast essential for those aiming to strengthen their leadership skills or understand the dynamics of the agricultural industry.
Episode 1: Meet Eyang Garrison
A field trip to Capitol Hill during her senior year of high school sparked her dream of one day working within the halls of Congress. After gaining her degree from OU, Garrison set out to do just that. Since then, she has held several policy positions on Capitol Hill, including serving as legislative assistant to Congresswoman Gwen Moore of Wisconsin and most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to then-Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge of Ohio.
On March 15, 2021, Garrison was appointed to the Biden-Harris Administration as chief of staff to the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, the No. 2 USDA official behind Cabinet Secretary Tom Vilsack. In her current role, Garrison serves as chief advisor to the deputy secretary, providing guidance on efforts related to recruitment and youth engagement in agriculture, foreign agricultural trade missions to the U.K. and East Africa, enhancing internal USDA operations and workplace culture, advancing programmatic equity and civil rights enforcement, supporting USDA’s first-ever Equity Commission, and strengthening access to programs and services for underserved producers and communities.
On September 11, 2023, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, announced that Eyang will become the new Majority Staff Director. Eyang will become the first Staff Director of color in either the House or Senate Agriculture Committee and the only black Staff Director serving in the U.S. Senate.
Garrison’s commitment to public service goes beyond the workplace. She often volunteers her time at local food pantries and mentors young people interested in a career in politics. She is also a second-generation Sooner whose parents both hold degrees from the University of Oklahoma; both were married at First Presbyterian Church near Campus Corner.