Dr. Amani Elobeid

 Amani Elobeid is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Economics and a faculty member in the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University (ISU). She is also the Ron and Lynn Deiter Endowed Chair for Sustaining Excellence in Agricultural Business. She teaches Principles of Economics courses as well as a course on agricultural markets and one on money, banking and financial institutions. She also leads an annual study abroad trip to the United Arab Emirates. Her research work focuses on agricultural policy analysis and the impact of biofuels on agriculture and the environment. She has expertise in the modeling and analysis of agricultural and biofuel markets.  Her work has been published in American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Research Letters, Land Use Policy, and Science, among others. Elobeid received a BS in economics from the University of Khartoum, Sudan. She first came to Iowa State University as a Fulbright Scholar where she completed her MS and PhD in economics.

Contact Information

Want to talk to Dr. Elobeid?

Office:166D Heady Hall

Phone: (515) 294-8122

Email: [email protected]

Address: 265 Heady Hall 

Department of Economics

 Iowa State University 

Ames, IA 50011-1070

Ms. Amy Brandau

Ms. Amy Brandau is an Academic Advisor in the Economics Department at ISU.  Before Amy joined our department she was an Academic Advisor in the College of Engineering. Ms. Brandau earned her MBA from ISU in 2008 and a B.S. in Agricultural Business from ISU in 2000.

Contact Information

 Want to talk to Ms. Brandau?

Office: 166C Heady Hall

Phone: (515) 294-6147

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 515-294-4545

Address: 265 Heady Hall 

Department of Economics

Iowa State University 

Ames, IA 50011-1070

Izak Christensen

Izak grew up in Riceville, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and Agronomy, and an MBA with a specialization in finance. On campus he was involved in leadership roles in the Ag Business Club, Ag Entrepreneurship Initiative, CALS Council, MBA Association, and the senior class council. He currently works for Summit Agricultural Group as a Sr. Investment Analyst. In his free time, he enjoys farming, golfing and hunting.

Interested in being an industry advisor?

Please contact us at [email protected]

Rhonda Young

Rhonda was born and raised in Walnut, Iowa. With an eye toward ag lending, she obtained her B.S. degrees in both Agricultural Business and Public Service and Administration in Agriculture from Iowa State University in 2004. Following graduation, she began working for Farm Credit Services of America as a Financial Officer. Shifting direction, she began working as a Marketplace Training Specialist, where she consulted on various organizational initiatives and also created and facilitated the training. During that time, she obtained her M.S. in Adult Learning and Organizational Performance from Drake University. While she enjoyed developing others, she eventually went back to her roots in agricultural credit, working as a Credit Analyst evaluating financials and seeking financial solutions to serve the needs of producers. Rhonda continues to work at FCSAmerica as a Credit Officer focused on the swine industry. Outside of work, Rhonda volunteers when time allows. From 1999-2019 she held various roles within Iowa Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership, including Corporate Board secretary, alumni advisor, and treasurer. In more recent years, she has spent time volunteering with local organizations in and near Waukee, Iowa, where she resides with her husband and 2 children. In her free time, Rhonda enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, lifting weights, cycling, and traveling.

Rhonda Young