January 2025 - Journal Final - Flipbook - Page 21
Our Team
The David Neuberger II Core Values Award recognizes team members who,
in all aspects of their work, family, and community life best exhibit the core
values of Integrity, Caring, Commitment, Growth, and Teamwork.
Lisa Brands
Senior Data Analyst
Lisa joined Pipestone on December 31, 2013, stepping
into a role advertised as an analyst position. In reality,
her job was much more dynamic, involving production
records, reporting, and data management for several
sow farms. Over the years, she expanded her skills and
responsibilities, becoming an indispensable asset to
Pipestone’s technical services team.
Re昀氀ecting on her career path, Lisa shared, “I started
in the Information Bureau, where I managed sow
production records and learned about the farms. As
time went on, I took on more reporting and analysis
and eventually worked in technical services, which
touches every part of the company. It’s a role where
you’re constantly learning and adapting. I’ve been
fortunate to have wonderful mentors. Dr. Gustavo
Pizarro and Francisco Cabezon have both taught me so
much about swine production and analytics.”
Lisa’s journey at Pipestone has been de昀椀ned by her
willingness to embrace challenges and evolve her
expertise. She’s particularly skilled in SQL coding,
Excel, and Power BI, crafting solutions that streamline
work昀氀ows and make complex data accessible. “I take
the raw data from pretty much anything and digest
it to make it understandable for the rest of us,” Lisa
explained.
Her innovative mindset has led to the development of
Power Apps, applications used on farms for tasks like
site audits. “Instead of manually writing everything
down, data is entered on tablets and goes straight to
the server. It saves time and ensures the data is always
available,” she said. “I’m really proud that I learned
these tools on my own and brought them to the
company.”
Despite her technical expertise, Lisa’s role goes beyond
numbers and software. She frequently collaborates
with supervisors, managers, and farm staff to ensure
Lisa Brands recognized with the prestigious David Neuberger
Core Values Award. She is grateful for the support of her
husband, Doug, and their four daughters.
her work supports their needs effectively. “I learn a lot
from them. They’re phenomenal teachers and always
take the time to explain things,” she said. “I have such
respect and appreciation for the team members on the
farms—they work so hard, and it’s rewarding to support
them.”
When asked about her favorite part of the job, Lisa
highlighted the variety and teamwork. “It’s always
something different. You’re never bored, and you’re
always learning. The people here are wonderful to work
with, always friendly and willing to help,” she said.
Lisa’s commitment to Pipestone’s core values has not
gone unnoticed. These values, particularly the farmer
mentality that drives the company, deeply resonate
with her. Early on, Lisa recognized the company’s
unique culture. “I noticed how hard people work here,”
she said. “It’s inspiring to see the dedication and how
everyone’s efforts contribute to the farmers’ success.”
Outside of work, Lisa’s life is just as ful昀椀lling. She and
her husband Doug live near Edgerton, Minnesota,
where they’ve raised four daughters. The family’s
rural lifestyle complements Lisa’s deep connection to
agriculture and her role at Pipestone.
“The core values aren’t just words on a wall. They’re
re昀氀ected in everything we do.”
“Lisa’s commitment to our core values and mission goes beyond expectations;
she strives to uplift others, fostering both their success and growth.”
Nicole Paulsen,VP Human Resources
WINTER 2025 | 21
