"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 serves as President and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc., a Fortune 200 food production and agribusiness company that is also a century-old farmer-owned cooperative. Beth's 36-year career spans six industries at seven companies. Since joining Land O’Lakes in 2011, she has held a variety of roles leading the farmer-to-fork business offerings. Today, she is a passionate advocate on behalf of farmers and rural America with the goal of connecting people, particularly in urban areas, to the farmers and rural communities who grow their food. In addition, she is the convener of The American Connection Project to help bridge the digital divide.

A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Beth holds a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business from Columbia University Business School. She is a member of the President’s Export Council, and sits on the Boards of Directors for the Business Roundtable; Starbucks and numerous other industry, non-profit and university boards.
 
Beth has been recognized by Fortune as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders and Most Powerful Women and named to Fast Company’s Best Leaders list, among other honors. She was featured in the New York Times’ Corner Office column and profiled in the “60 Minutes” segment entitled “The Farmers Advocate.”

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, United States Global Leadership Campaign (USGLC) 
Board member, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF)
Board member, Consumer Brands Association
Board member, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC)
Advisory board member, Deming Center at Columbia University
Executive advisory board member, Iowa State University