Bret Leigh Nance

Professional Title: Agricultural Law Attorney/Assistant Attorney General, South Dakota Office of the Attorney General
Age: 25
Home: Pierre, South Dakota

"I grew up on my family’s cattle ranch in the Texas Hill Country as well as spending summers and winters on my family’s cattle ranch in South Dakota. I worked along side many great ranchers before me who developed my passion for ranching and the western way of life. However, I also saw the injustices faced by the agricultural industry. I realized I had the ability to be a liaison between the agricultural and legal worlds. This inspired me to obtain my degree in agricultural communications from Texas Tech University where I was also part of the track and field team. From there I went on to attend Texas A&M School of Law where I studied agricultural law. While in law school I worked as a ranch hand for a bred heifer and cow calf operation in Graford, TX. I was also the secretary of the Agricultural Law Society as well as a member of multiple legal clinics. I graduated law school in May and have since started a career at the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Outside of my legal work I help ranch on my family’s ranch as well as friends ranches and enjoy running barrels."

Vision for the future of women in the Western industry: My vision for the future of women in the western industry is for them to become leaders. Very rarely do you see a woman at the forefront of agricultural operations. This is not due to the lack of ability or intelligence but merely from tradition. While tradition can be a beautiful thing some traditions need to be broken. I want to empower women in the western industry to be confident in their ability to lead and guide business and day to day operations. This is not to combat our male counterparts in the industry but to gain their respect as equals in leadership roles. I believe It is important to embrace our femininity in these roles and see it as an advantage, not a weakness. The future is female and it’s looking bright.

Wrangler‘s COWGIRL 30 Under 30 is sponsored by Cavender’s the Official Retailer, Charlie 1 Horse Hats the Official Hat, and Durango Boots the Official Boot, for COWGIRL 30 Under 30, with Corral Boots, Montana Silversmiths, Old Gringo Boots, and Double D Ranch.

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