It takes a lot to become the president of the third-largest U.S cooperative and one of the two dozen female CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. During most of her career, Ms. Beth Ford worked on supply chain issues. It has paved the way for contributing to the agricultural industry. She grew up in Midwest Iowa, and before Land O’ Lakes happened, she worked at different agencies, mostly taking care of the supply chain.
Overcoming The Inevitable Challenges Of 2020
Beth’s diversified experience range paid off when Land O’ Lakes had to reset its operations due to the COVID crisis. After facing the initial disruptions, the company stabilized and had one of its best years.
Upbringing Matters, Always!
When interviewed about growing up in Iowa, Beth gave us a glimpse of her childhood. Being the fifth of eight children, Beth belongs to a very humble catholic family. Her mother, a former nurse, used to work as a psychologist after finishing her master’s, and her father was a truck driver. Having a part of a working-class family, she always had the right mindset -“you gotta work hard for what you gotta get.” In her early 20’s Beth landed her first job in Mobil Oil Corporation. And we can see where it took her today! Yeah, it was all worth it.
Sneaking A Peak At Her Multifaceted Gigs
We came to know about some of the most interesting information about Beth’s early career. She started working during her graduation days. She painted houses, worked as a cashier at a convenience store, and even cleaned toilets! During the initial years, self-doubt was there for sure. But now, when she looks back, she never forgets to count her blessings.
After completing college, she even took up a job of detasseling corn. While Ford had no first-hand experience of firming, she came from a farm country and that was her driving force behind the role.
But, no matter how much of an explorer the Columbia University M.B.A was, during her early workdays, we see a pattern there. Beth spent much of her career working in management roles in different supply chain industries. She worked on manufacturing facilities and docks and ended up broadening her horizons. – “If I had to stay in the oil industry, I’ll be an oil industry person for my career“.
Land O’ Lakes Was Meant To Be!
Her keen interest to expand her wings as a supply chain manager took her to land a position in PepsiCo INC., followed by a supply chain lead for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. Ms. Ford joined Land O’ Lakes in 2011 as the operations and chief supply chain officer. In August 2018, Ford got appointed as the CEO. Guess what was the largest sign of Land O’Lakes’ futuristic workplace? An all-male board was behind voting for Beth as a president.
America’s First Openly Gay Female Fortune 500 CEO, A Doting Wife, And The Mother Of Three Teenagers: That’s How Success Looks Like!
In her late 20’s, Beth met her wife Jill Schurtz, the CEO and executive director of the St. Paul’s Teachers’ Retirement Fund Association. From the very beginning, they both have been quite transparent and straightforward about their personal life. They are now happily parenting three teenagers.
