Fayth Gillespie was raised in the small, agriculture community of Hatch, New Mexico. She is a proud to be a fourth-generation New Mexico State University Aggie. In 2017, Fayth earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business and Agriculture Economics. In 2019, she obtained a Master of Agriculture in Agribusiness. Her research measured and evaluated consumer trust in the food production system, from the farm to the table. The research was funded and utilized by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. In 2020, her work led to the publication, Examining Consumers' Trust in the Food Supply Chain, in the Journal of Applied Communications. Fayth began her career as Community Liaison with the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. In this role, she served as a voice for the oil and gas industry, focusing on communities outside of the Permian and San Juan basins. From there, she joined consulting firm Twenty7Fifty, as the Associate Director of Public Affairs, working on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute. Most recently, Fayth founded a public affairs firm, Tactica Strategies, serving the energy and agriculture industries. Through this, she is privileged to work with a diverse group of clients, building alliances across industries and communities. Fayth is devoted to various other roles. She is active as an NMSU alumna, not only in her position as Chair-Elect of the Sam Steel Society Council, but also by serving as a mentor for students, judging for various competitions, and avidly supporting the NMSU NAMA Team. Additionally, she serves on the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation Board of Directors, Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico’s 100 Who Give committee, and Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest Board of Directors. Having a deep love for the people and culture of southern New Mexico, Fayth still resides in the area with her husband.