Beth Ford
| Beth Ford | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | March 1964 Sioux City, Iowa, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | BBA, Iowa State University MBA, Columbia University |
| Occupation | CEO of Land O'Lakes |
| Spouse | Jill Schurtz |
| Children | 3 |
Beth Ford is an American business executive and the current President and CEO of Land O'Lakes, Inc. She is widely recognized as the first openly gay woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. Ford has become a leading voice in agricultural innovation, rural development, and corporate responsibility.[1]
Early Life and Education
Born in Sioux City, Iowa, in March 1964, Beth Ford was raised as one of eight children in a working-class family. Her father worked as a truck driver and car salesman, and her mother, once a nurse, earned a master's degree and became a psychologist. Ford credits her mother as her greatest role model, especially for her resilience and dedication to education.
Ford began working in agriculture at age 12, detasseling corn for $2 an hour. She supported her own education through various jobs including janitor, house painter, and cashier. She earned a BBA from Iowa State University and an MBA from Columbia University.[2]
Career
Ford’s early career included leadership roles at Mobil Oil, ExxonMobil, PepsiCo, and Scholastic, where she gained expertise in supply chain, marketing, and operations.
She joined Land O'Lakes in 2011 as Chief Supply Chain and Operations Officer. She was later promoted to Chief Operating Officer and in 2018 became the company’s ninth CEO.
Leadership at Land O'Lakes
As CEO, Ford has focused on:
- Implementing advanced agricultural technologies
- Advocating for broadband access in rural areas
- Strengthening rural communities and farmer-owned models
She led the company's initiative to replace its historic logo with "Farmer-Owned" branding, reinforcing the cooperative’s mission. In 2019, she joined over 180 CEOs in redefining the purpose of a corporation to serve stakeholders beyond shareholders.[3]
Advocacy and Impact
Ford is a vocal advocate for:
- Closing the rural digital divide
- Sustainable farming innovation
- Equity in corporate leadership
She founded and leads the American Connection Project, promoting federal investment in broadband infrastructure and improved connectivity in underserved communities.
She currently serves on the:
- President’s Export Council
- Boards of Starbucks, BlackRock, Paccar, and Columbia University’s Deming Center
- Business Roundtable and US Global Leadership Coalition[4]
Recognition
Ford has been consistently recognized among the most powerful women and LGBTQ leaders:
- Fortune's Most Powerful Women (2018, 2020–2023)
- Fast Company’s Queer 50 (2021, 2022)
- Multiple national features for corporate responsibility and rural advocacy[5]
Personal Life
Beth Ford is married to Jill Schurtz, the CEO of the St. Paul Teachers’ Retirement Fund Association. They have three children and live in Minnesota. Ford emphasizes humility, authenticity, and gratitude as keys to leadership.[6]
Publications
- "Farmers Are in Crisis—and America Isn't Paying Attention" – Dairy Business, 2019
- "How Businesses Can Help America's Struggling Farmers" – CNN Business, 2020
- "LGBTQ Business Leaders on Supreme Court Ruling" – Fortune, 2020[7]
See Also
References
- ↑ https://business.columbia.edu/press-release/cbs-press-releases/columbia-business-schools-deming-center-awards-2024-deming-cup
- ↑ https://fortune.com/ranking/most-powerful-women/2024/beth-ford/
- ↑ https://www.startribune.com/beth-ford-land-o-lakes-ceo-business-roundtable-immigration-committee-2025/601204131
- ↑ https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/12/perspectives/land-olakes-beth-ford-farmers/index.html
- ↑ https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/3598807
- ↑ https://fortune.com/2020/05/20/land-olakes-logo-beth-ford/
- ↑ https://fortune.com/2020/05/20/land-olakes-logo-beth-ford/