DAIRY NEWS – Sustainable growth and business transitions are the goal of most dairy operations, but few have a formal plan to ensure success through change and transition. The 2026 Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals®, presented by Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP), will provide dairy industry leaders with three days of real-world case studies, out-of-industry tours and executive-level conversations to position their dairy business for strategic, sustainable growth.
The 2026 Managers Academy will be held January 20-22, 2026, at the Marriott’s Hotel Rumbao in in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The program is developed by PDP in collaboration with Progressive Dairy, Progressive Dairy Solutions and Rabo AgriFinance.
“Managers Academy is the perfect opportunity for executive-level dairy producers to take a focused look at their dairy business and develop an actionable plan to ensure that the systems, infrastructure and leadership is in place for success today and in the future,” said Cassandra Strupp, Richfield, Wis., dairy producer and program manager with PDP. “The executive level trainings, conversations and immersive tours will spark new ideas and inspiration while soaking up the beauty and culture of Puerto Rico.”
The three-day workshop will be facilitated by Marissa Nehlsen, author and founder/CEO of an eight-figure, debt-free financial firm, and Dick Wittman, business consultant with Wittman Consulting. They will guide attendees to create governance, leadership and succession strategies that they can apply to their businesses right away. Attendees will return home with a tailored multi-year action plan, practical language to navigate tough conversations and tools to turn business strain into clear, concise strategies.
In addition, a full day of out-of-industry tours will immerse attendees in the culture of Puerto Rico and introduce them to high-performing executives who’ve led organizations to successfully scale operations, develop talent and manage complexity. A tour of Hacienda Muñoz coffee farm and roaster will highlight how the boutique enterprise grew their infrastructure while maintaining award-winning craftsmanship. At Finca Neo Jibairo, Puerto Rico’s first certified agrotourism farm, attendees will tour seedbeds, tobacco fields and cigar rolling workshops. That tour will showcase how passion, infrastructure development and strategic design came together to build a successful cigar and hospitality business. The day will close with a tour of the legendary Casa BACARDÍ, the world’s largest rum distillery. Attendees will engage in a discussion with distillery team members about how tradition, innovation and craftsmanship have shaped the brand into a global leader.
Registration is now open with limited space available. Registration fee includes all sessions, training materials, meals, tours and tour travel. Travel to the program and hotel accommodations are not included with registration. A block of discounted rooms is available at Marriott’s Hotel Rumbao when booked by Dec. 19, 2025. For more details and lodging information visit www.pdpw.org or contact PDP at 800-947-7379.
Follow along digitally in advance of and during the event by following PDP on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) is the nation’s largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind, focusing on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.”
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