Land O'Lakes executive vice president to present keynote address at Women in Agribusiness Summit

BOSTON, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Beth Ford, executive vice president and chief supply chain and operations officer at Land O'Lakes, will deliver a keynote address at the second annual Women in Agribusiness Summit, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, Minn., October 22-24, 2013.

Ford's presentation, "Agribusiness: A Great Growth Industry," will explore why food production will be a growth industry for the coming decades, as well as an excellent destination for career growth. Additionally, Ford will discuss how agribusiness can capture market opportunities arising from population growth and increasing demand for food worldwide.

"Beth is sure to be an inspiring speaker due to her expansive role at Land O'Lakes and decades-long career as a senior executive," said Joy O'Shaughnessy, director of Women in Agribusiness Initiatives at HighQuest Partners, the globally-recognized consulting and events firm that hosts the summit.  "She can speak from first-hand experience about the role women play in the growth of the Ag industry and why it is the perfect destination for ambitious and knowledgeable women."

At Land O'Lakes, Ford is responsible for all supply chain and operating functions from sourcing through to customer delivery.  Prior to this, Ford held senior positions with global companies in multiple industries, including chemicals, consumer package goods, publishing, and oil and gas.

Ford holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University Business School, and a B.B.A. from Iowa State University.  She remains involved with both universities in advisory capacities and also sits on the Board of Directors for Clearwater Paper Corporation.  

Other speakers joining Ford at this year's Women in Agribusiness Summit include Janet Wightman, managing director, Kincannon & Reed, and Stella Cosby, senior director, Agrium, who will speak on the plenary panel called, "Transforming the Workplace: Strategies for Recruiting and Advancing Women in Agribusiness."  On the last day of the summit, Inci Dannerberg, vice president of commercial operations for BayerCrop Science, and Leisel Grauberger, Dupont Pioneer account manager, will speak on the plenary panel, "Bright Ideas: Innovation in Agribusiness."

Register at www.womeninag.com to hear these innovative leaders speak at the summit, which provides an interactive platform for women to discuss their unique experiences within the industry, hear from women leaders regarding cutting-edge industry trends, and discuss best practices for recruiting, retaining and promoting women within agribusiness. Follow us @Womeninagri, like us on Facebook, join our Linkedin Group.   

CONTACT: Michelle Pelletier-Marshall    
[email protected]    
978.887.8800, x117

SOURCE HighQuest Partners