Beth Ford '95

Beth Ford, a global thought leader and collaborator with a history of convening business and policy voices and conversations, is the well-tenured and influential president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. Bringing a valuable perspective on economic success and influence for both national business interests and rural America, Ford has led the Fortune 250 company and more than century-old farmer and retail member-owned cooperative since 2018. 

Land O’Lakes, operating in all 50 states and 60 countries, touches half the harvested acres and 10,000 rural communities in the nation, and feeds 100 million animals each day. 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, as recognized by the 60 Minutes piece “The Farmer’s Advocate.”

Ford, who was featured in the “Titans” category of TIME100 Most Influential Companies in the World and named one of the TIME100 Most Influential People, has brought her unique perspective to areas including trade, broadband access, immigration, global food security, and broad policy issues affecting working people. She is informed by her breadth of experience prior to Land O’Lakes in senior positions in seven companies in six industries.

Her time on the Boards of Directors for the Business Roundtable (chairing the Immigration Committee), Starbucks, Columbia Business School, BlackRock, Inc. and PACCAR, as well as numerous other industry, non-profit and university boards, have equipped her to address a wide array of issues. This perspective was noted specifically in numerous media recognitions, including being profiled in The New York Times, listed among Fortune’s 100 Most Powerful People in Business and landing No. 12 on their Most Powerful Women list in 2025.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business from Columbia Business School. She is in the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Supply Chain Hall of Fame and holds a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree from Iowa State University.