Land O’Lakes, Inc. CEO Beth Ford Named No. 13 on Fortune’s 2026 Most Powerful Women in Business List

Beth Ford is recognized for elevating the challenges facing American agriculture and advancing solutions that support farm profitability, strengthen the workforce and sustain rural communities

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (May 27, 2026) — Today, Fortune named Land O’Lakes, Inc. President and CEO Beth Ford as No. 13 on its Most Powerful Women of 2026 list. The annual list, compiled by Fortune editors, highlights 100 of the world’s most influential women in business across finance, technology, health care, telecom, retail, energy, and other industries.

Now in its 29th year, the Fortune Most Powerful Women in Business list honors female leaders who are shaping the global business landscape today, as well as those poised for even greater influence. This year’s recognition highlights Ford’s leadership in elevating the economic challenges facing American agriculture to a national business and policy priority. She has driven a broader conversation around farm profitability, trade, labor availability and rural resilience, underscoring the connection between food security and national security. Ford has emerged as a leading voice advocating for practical, market-driven solutions that support farmers, strengthen the workforce and sustain rural communities.

As Fortune notes, “Ford, in her eighth year leading the member-owned cooperative, has made an art of translating rural urgency into policy action.”

Ford has served as president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. since 2018, leading the cooperative that operates in all 50 states and more than 60 countries, reaching half of all harvested acres and more than 10,000 rural communities across the United States.

“In its 29th year, this iconic list of powerful women includes almost half from outside of the U.S., reminding us that the impact of women leadership is being seen globally,” said Alyson Shontell, Fortune Editor in Chief and Chief Content Officer. “These are women transforming business today and preparing for a future during a time of tumult and uncertainty, but also great promise.”

The list, compiled by Fortune editors, is based on the size and health of executives’ businesses or P&Ls, measured by 12-month and three-year financial data, as well as their influence, innovation, career trajectories, and efforts to make business better.

For more information on how Land O’Lakes is advancing solutions for the agricultural economy, supporting farmer success, and strengthening rural communities and the broader food system, please visit www.landolakesinc.com.