Aaron Putze

aaron putze author speaker 2026

Rooted in hard work, respect, and keeping your word.

Expert on

  • Motivation
  • Storytelling
  • Innovation
  • Sales & Marketing 

Fee Range

$5,000–$7,500

Travels from

IA, US

Biography

Aaron learned the importance of hard work, showing up, keeping your word and treating others with respect growing up on a northwest Iowa crop and livestock farm. Those characteristics of leadership serve him well as a team manager, strategist, coach, husband and dad.

He’s the author of two books: “Destined for Greatness – The Story of Chuck Long & Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes’ Football” and “You Are Destined for Greatness – Stories of Inspiration and Empowerment.” He earned his degree in public relations and communications from the University of Northern Iowa, a Supervisory Leadership Certificate from Drake University and is an accredited public relations practitioner.

Aaron serves as Chief Officer of Brand Management & Engagement for the Ankeny, Iowa-based Iowa Soybean Association. Prior to joining the ISA team, he served on the staff of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation including the roles of Public Relations Manager and Executive Director of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers.

He is a Rotarian and member of the Knights of Columbus and Central Iowa Public Relations Society of America. He enjoys golfing, grilling, gardening, and spending time with family. Aaron and his wife Crystal and children Garrett, Grant and Jaelyn (JAY-lynn) live in Waukee.

Speaker Videos

From Me to We: How Positivity, Empathy and Trust Build Cultures, Brands, Business and a Better World!

As the world moves faster, relationships often become more superficial and transactional. Yet, everything we have and do is shaped by our connections with others. How we treat people impacts not only our self-worth but also our quality of life, success at work, and the well-being of our families and communities. It’s time to recalibrate your relationship compass. How do you show up for your team and in your relationships? How do you nurture and sustain them? How do you deepen connections and truly become someone to someone else? By making every interaction genuinely personal, you’ll cultivate deeper fulfillment and greater professional success and outcomes.

Laugh, ponder and engage as Aaron shares insights for how to:

  • Deepen your appreciation for perspective and empathy.
  • Discover the key attributes of five-star leaders.
  • Harness the power of trust—both in earning and extending it.
  • Leverage relatability as a catalyst for team performance.
  • Stop confusing urgency with true importance—focus on what really matters!

Harvesting Influence: Growing Trust, Connections & Impact Beyond the Farm

It’s easy to focus on the challenges in agriculture, but the fundamentals of food and farming remain strong! Every year, more than 8 million people move from rural areas to cities, shifting from food producers to full-time consumers. Today, less than 2% of the world’s population is directly involved in farming. These trends highlight the critical role of farmers and the growing need for them to connect, influence, and lead. In this energetic and highly interactive keynote, Aaron inspires agriculturalists to step up and speak out—advocating for their farms, families, and the future of agriculture. This session is especially impactful for young and beginning farmers, equipping them to lead with confidence and make a lasting impact beyond the farm gate.