Growing up on a 500-acre Iowa farm, Mary Kay Thatcher was bound for a life and career in agriculture. After graduating from Iowa State University with degrees in animal science and agricultural economics, Mary Kay began her career as a legislative assistant for agriculture and trade to Iowa Senator Roger Jepsen.

She also served in the first Bush Administration as a political appointee, as the Director of Congressional and Public Affairs of the Farm Credit Administration, where she was responsible for the policy direction and management of the Agency’s congressional and public affairs activities.

As a lobbyist for the American Farm Bureau Federation for 31 years, she lobbied primarily on issues covering farm programs, crop insurance, conservation, and credit. During her tenure at the American Farm Bureau, Mary Kay also spearheaded the organization’s participation in farm data, security, and privacy. She served as President of the Ag Data Transparency Evaluator, a tool developed by ag tech providers and farm/commodity groups to help farmers understand the contracts they sign to share their farm data. Mary Kay also served as Secretary of the Ag Data Coalition, a group of 14 members consisting of farm groups, land grant universities, ag equipment manufacturers and technology companies and providers.

Mary Kay spent seven years as Sr. Manager of Federal Government and Industry Relations for Syngenta. She now serves as President of MK Thatcher Consulting, a business specializing in guidance on ag policy or regulations – as well as speaking on how national policy affects agriculture.
A fifth-generation farmer, Mary Kay helps operate her family farm which produces corn, soybeans and a cow/calf operation.