Before she became one of the most groundbreaking CEOs in American business, Beth Ford was a 12-year-old kid in Iowa making $2 an hour working on a farm. Today, she leads Land O’Lakes, a $14 billion agricultural cooperative and one of the largest food and agribusiness companies in the U.S.
Her story is not about headlines or hashtags. It’s about grit, humility, and showing up fully as yourself, even when the world isn’t ready for it.
Early Lessons in Work and Identity
Beth Ford was born in Sioux City, Iowa, the fifth of eight children. Her mother worked as a nurse and her father was a long-haul truck driver. Money was tight, but ambition was not.
From a young age, Beth knew she wanted to go to college. That meant working… a lot. At just 12 years old, she started working on a local farm for two dollars an hour. Later, she painted houses and cleaned buildings as a janitor to keep saving. It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave her a work ethic that would carry her through every phase of her life.
Eventually, she enrolled at Iowa State University. She was determined to make something of herself, even if the path wasn’t yet clear.
Breaking into Business
Beth’s first job out of school was at Mobil Oil, where she quickly began climbing the corporate ladder. But she knew that if she wanted to reach the top, she’d need to sharpen her skills. She applied to Columbia Business School, got in, and earned her MBA — one of the few women in her class. That led her to a series of leadership roles in high-profile companies. She joined PepsiCo, then Scholastic, where she served as Vice President. In 2007, she became COO of Hachette Book Group, one of the largest publishing houses in the world.
Beth was making her mark in business, but she hadn’t forgotten where she came from.
Returning to Her Roots
In 2008, Beth made a major pivot. She left publishing and returned to food and agriculture. She joined Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of the largest farmer-owned cooperatives in the country. Over the next decade, she held a series of leadership roles, including Chief Supply Chain and Operations Officer.
By 2018, she was named CEO. It was a historic moment. Beth became the first female CEO in the company’s nearly 100-year history. She also made business history as the first and only openly gay female CEO of a Fortune 500 company. At the time, Tim Cook of Apple had only come out publicly four years earlier. LGBTQ+ representation in executive leadership was still incredibly rare, especially for women.
Beth didn’t hide who she was. She leaned into it.
“I made a decision long ago to live an authentic life. If my being named CEO helps others do the same, that’s a wonderful moment.”
Fighting for Farmers and the Future
Under Beth’s leadership, Land O’Lakes has doubled down on its mission to support rural America. One of her biggest national initiatives has been advocating for expanded broadband access in farming communities by recognizing that connectivity is a critical tool for the modern agricultural economy.
She has also pushed for greater innovation and sustainability. From developing plant-based product lines to using precision technology in farming, Beth is helping lead an industry that is often slow to change.
Her focus is not just on profits. It’s on people, such as the farmers, communities, and workers who make up the backbone of American agriculture.
Five Leadership Lessons from Beth Ford
1. Start where you are.
Beth didn’t wait for ideal conditions. She worked, saved, and built her future one step at a time.
2. Stay grounded.
Her Iowa upbringing still informs her leadership style. She never forgot her roots, and they became her strength.
3. Lead with authenticity.
As the first openly gay woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, Beth didn’t hide her identity. She showed that leadership starts with honesty.
4. Use your platform for good.
From broadband to climate-smart farming, she’s using her influence to create systemic change.
5. Redefine success.
True leaders know when to push forward and when to start fresh. Murati left behind one of the most powerful positions in tech to build something more aligned with her principles.
Jenny’s Takeaway
Beth Ford may not be a household name, but she’s exactly the kind of leader we should be talking about.
She didn’t rise through flashy tech startups or headline-making IPOs. She built her career in the trenches, on farms, and in warehouses. She led by doing, and did it without sacrificing who she was.
Her story reminds us that leadership doesn’t require fitting a mold. It requires knowing who you are, where you come from, and what you stand for.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your background, your identity, or your path disqualifies you, remember Beth. She turned two dollars an hour into a life of impact.