"Talent is my top priority. I believe our value as leaders is best measured by the success of the people we have been able to help bring along in their own careers and achievements."

Beth Ford is President and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. Both a Fortune 200 company and a century-old farmer and retail member-owned cooperative, Land O’Lakes operates in all 50 states and more than 60 countries and touches half the harvested acres in America.

Ford, who has held senior positions in seven companies in six industries, leads not only by delivering financial performance, but also by addressing the important global issues and structural changes that can improve areas directly impacted by food and agriculture. During her tenure, Land O’Lakes has focused on its members, the technology that enables them, and on ensuring the vibrance and connection of the communities in which they live and work. Working to close the digital divide, she convened the American Connection Project and contributed to the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which included $65 billion for rural connectivity. She regularly addresses issues around global food security, noting food security is national security.

Recently named as one of the 2024 TIME100 Most Influential People in the World, Ford serves on the President’s Export Council, the Boards of Directors for the Business Roundtable and Starbucks; three additional past public boards, and numerous other industry, non-profit and university boards. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business from Columbia University Business School. She recently was inducted in the Supply Chain Hall of Fame by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and received a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree from Iowa State University. Ford has been recognized by many media--including being listed among Fortune’s Most Powerful Women, profiled in The New York Times and on “60 Minutes,” and featured in the “Titans” category of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies in the World.

Education
BBA, Iowa State University
MBA, Columbia Business School

Experience
International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF)
Hachette Scholastic Corporation
PepsiCo/Pepsi Bottling Group
Perseco Mobil Oil

Corporate boards
Board of directors, Starbucks

Industry leadership
Member, President’s Export Council
Board of Directors, Business Roundtable
Board member, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF)
Board member, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC)
Advisory board member, Deming Center at Columbia University
Executive advisory board member, Iowa State University