Dr. David Kohl, Ph.D.

Prosperity is a broad term that is often interpreted solely in economic or financial terms. However, investing in your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, while contributing to the betterment of others and society as a whole, can provide a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.

The uncertainty of today’s world, from geopolitics and global economic shifts to rapid changes in technology, marketplaces, the workforce, and society in general, can at times seem overwhelming. This presentation blends practical wisdom, hard truths, and proven rules of the road that can be applied to both business and personal success.

Drawing on decades of experience as an educator, business owner, and speaker, Dr. Kohl provides practical insights for navigating an ever-changing world. Trends and cycles are a fact of life, creating not only challenges but also opportunities. By embracing an interconnected mindset and focusing on proactive decision-making, participants can position themselves for greater prosperity and purpose, both today and in the future.

In today’s rapidly changing agricultural economy, success is often determined by the small decisions made at the margin. Join renowned agricultural economist Dr. David Kohl for a timely update on the domestic and global economic forces shaping agriculture, including interest rates, inflation, consumer trends, trade, and commodity markets.

Drawing on his travels and conversations with producers, lenders, and agribusiness leaders across the country, Dr. Kohl will highlight the key financial and management practices that set top-performing businesses apart from the rest. Participants will gain practical insights into profitability, liquidity, risk management, and strategic decision-making to help position their operations for long-term success.

This fast-paced session delivers real-world perspectives, actionable takeaways, and proven strategies for achieving excellence at the margin in challenging and uncertain times.

Get ready to connect the dots between global forces and your business decisions. 

Drawing on decades of experience as an agricultural economist, educator, entrepreneur, and global traveler, Dr. David Kohl explores the economic and agricultural megatrends that will shape business success in the years ahead.

This forward-looking session examines the powerful forces transforming agriculture, including changing consumer and dietary preferences, technological innovation, productivity advancements, global trade dynamics, geopolitical uncertainty, demographic shifts, urbanization, and the evolving expectations of future generations.

Dr. Kohl will also discuss how these trends influence profitability, risk management, capital allocation, labor, and long-term business strategy.

Designed for producers, agribusiness professionals, and industry leaders, this presentation translates complex global developments into practical, actionable insights.

If you want to “think globally and act locally,” this high-impact session will provide the perspective and tools needed to identify opportunities, manage uncertainty, and position your business for long-term success in a rapidly changing world.

As businesses and individuals face a world defined by razor-thin margins, global economic shifts, geopolitical tension, and evolving societal trends. Amid this volatility lie tremendous opportunities for those prepared to adapt.

Join Dr. Dave Kohl as he explores the essential traits of resiliency, agility, and strategic thinking needed to thrive in this unpredictable environment. With his unique blend of academic insight, hands-on business experience, and global industry engagement, Dr. Kohl will deliver practical tools for future-proofing both your enterprise and personal path to success. Discover how financial KPIs, resource management, and proactive risk strategies can tilt the odds in your favor, today and well into the future.

Success in today’s rapidly changing world requires more than technical expertise; it requires the right mindset. In this engaging session, Dr. David Kohl shares practical insights on resilience, adaptability, communication, decision-making, and continuous learning.

Drawing from decades of experience as an educator, entrepreneur, and global traveler, Dr. Kohl provides actionable strategies to navigate uncertainty, embrace change, capitalize on opportunities, and strengthen both business and personal success.

Filled with real-world examples and practical takeaways, this presentation will help attendees develop the mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing environment.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reset and refocus your management mindset for today and tomorrow.

Geared Towards Ag Bankers and Ag Lenders:

The agricultural economy overall is bifurcated and is headed toward a fork in the road.

Grain, row crops, and specialty crops are in both a cyclical and structural adjustment period. The livestock and protein sectors are benefiting from an elongated profitable cycle. What will be the global and domestic economic trends that will shape these industries’ profits and future? Where is the global and domestic economy headed and what are leading and lagging indicators that every ag banker should watch? What are the latest tools, techniques, and insights that can be utilized in examining risk and opportunity for individual customers and the overall portfolio?

Dr. Kohl is back to share his decades of experience as an educator and business owner working with lenders and producers. The fork is in the road for the agricultural industry.

Will you take the high road or low road? It’s your choice!

In today’s volatile agricultural and economic environment, uncertainty and disruption have become the new normal. In this high-energy session, Dr. David Kohl shares practical tools, proven techniques, and real-world perspectives to help agricultural bankers navigate risk and identify opportunities in turbulent times.

Drawing on decades of experience as an agricultural economist, educator, and entrepreneur, Dr. Kohl examines the global and domestic forces shaping agriculture and rural lending. Participants will gain insight into credit analysis, working capital trends, repayment capacity, land values, and the management characteristics that separate top-performing producers from the rest.

Blending economic outlooks, lender best practices, and his signature “boots-on-the- ground” observations, Dr. Kohl provides actionable ideas to strengthen customer relationships, improve risk management, and position lending institutions for long-term success.

In this dynamic and fast-paced session, Dr. David Kohl will provide his timely and insightful analysis of the general and agricultural economies by connecting global and national trends directly to the realities of rural businesses. With decades of experience and a pulse on ag lenders, producers, and industry shifts, Dr. Kohl will explore the key economic forces impacting your customers and portfolios.

Gain clarity on the lead and lag indicators that matter most in today’s uncertain environment, from interest rates to commodity cycles, consumer behavior, and geopolitical risk. Dr. Kohl will also break down current and future trends in land values, liquidity, and credit quality while providing you with practical tools to strengthen credit analysis, risk management, and customer conversations.

If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, manage risk with confidence, and better serve your agricultural clients, this session is a must-attend.

The agricultural lending environment is entering a period of increased volatility, rapid change, and new opportunities. In this forward-looking and practical session, Dr. David Kohl shares timely economic insights and strategic perspectives to help agricultural lenders stay ahead of emerging trends.

Drawing on decades of experience working with producers, lenders, and agribusiness leaders across the globe, Dr. Kohl will examine the key economic, financial, and demographic forces shaping agriculture and credit markets. Participants will gain valuable insight into credit quality trends, land values, interest rates, and the evolving risk profile of agricultural customers.

Attendees will leave with actionable tools and strategies to strengthen portfolio performance, enhance client conversations, and position their institutions for long-term success. In an era where adaptability is a competitive advantage, this session will help lenders build resilience and prepare for what lies ahead.

Agricultural lending requires more than analyzing financial statements and collateral values. Today’s successful lenders must combine sound credit analysis with strong communication skills, industry knowledge, and the ability to build trusted relationships with customers as they navigate an increasingly complex business environment.

In this practical and engaging session, Dr. David Kohl explores the balance between the science of lending—financial analysis, cash flow, repayment capacity, risk assessment, and key performance metrics—and the art of understanding management ability, asking the right questions, identifying emerging risks, and helping customers make informed business decisions.

Drawing on decades of experience working with lenders, producers, and agribusiness leaders, Dr. Kohl will discuss the economic and financial trends shaping agriculture and credit markets. Participants will gain practical insights into credit quality, interest rates, land values, liquidity, and the leading indicators that can help lenders stay ahead of challenges and opportunities.

Attendees will leave with actionable tools and strategies to strengthen credit decisions, enhance customer relationships, and improve portfolio performance in an increasingly dynamic lending environment.

Agricultural lending is becoming increasingly complex as producers and lenders face economic uncertainty, market volatility, shifting government policies, weather-related challenges, and global disruptions. In this timely and practical session, Dr. David Kohl provides lenders with proven credit analysis tools and communication strategies to strengthen decision-making and client relationships.

Participants will gain insights into key financial metrics, stress-testing techniques, cash flow analysis, and emerging trends impacting credit quality across the agricultural sector. Dr. Kohl will also explore how effective communication can enhance customer engagement, improve risk management discussions, and strengthen relationships with regulators, management teams, and lending partners.

Combining real-world examples with actionable insights, this session will help agricultural lenders identify opportunities, manage risk proactively, and position both their institutions and customers for success in an increasingly dynamic lending environment.

Geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade policies, tariffs, sanctions, and rapid technological change are reshaping the economic landscape. What do these trends mean for interest rates, inflation, real estate, capital markets, and the customers your institution serves?

In this fast-paced session, Dr. David Kohl examines the key domestic and global forces driving the economy. Using his framework of ALICE, HENRY, and HERMAN, he will provide insights into the factors shaping economic growth, business performance, and financial markets.

Participants will gain practical perspectives on leading and lagging economic indicators, emerging risks, and opportunities to position their institutions for success in an increasingly volatile environment. This timely presentation delivers actionable insights and strategies you can put to work immediately.

In a world where economic currents shift overnight, understanding the forces shaping our future is critical. Join Dr. David Kohl, renowned economist and Virginia Tech Academic Hall of Famer, as he unpacks the Domestic & Global Economic Mega Trends impacting banking and business.

From shifting trade alliances and monetary policy to consumer behavior, workforce transitions, and global geopolitical dynamics, Dr. Kohl connects the dots in ways that resonate with today’s banking professionals. This session provides practical insights and actionable takeaways to help bankers anticipate risk, identify opportunities, and guide clients with confidence in an increasingly volatile environment.

Don’t miss this high-energy, information-rich session that will sharpen your economic lens and enhance your strategic thinking.

Before one ponders about estate planning, asset transfer, or business entity structure, the journey of planning for the transition of business management must be established.

With trillions of dollars of assets ready to be passed to the next generation by businesses and households by the year 2035, both estate and management transition planning must be high priorities. Transition planning is one of the top three issues facing agricultural businesses and it is often the Achilles’ Heel of successful businesses.

In this program, Dr. Kohl will discuss the process of transition planning including:

• The “starting five” questions to jumpstart transition planning.

• Pitfalls and issues to manage around.

• The financial liquidity crisis that leads to impromptu transition planning.

• Sweet sixteen strategies, actions, and tactics that are critical for success.

• Selecting a transition planning team.

• A scorecard to follow in the transition planning journey.