#CEO #Organic Valley #Shawna Nelson

Organic Valley's Historic Leadership Transition

Organic Valley, recognized as the largest organic farmer-owned cooperative in America, is embarking on an important chapter in its history with the appointment of Shawna Nelson as its first female Chief Executive Officer. Slated to officially take on her role on March 28, 2025, Nelson brings nearly 20 years of experience within the cooperative, a journey that illustrates her dedication to the organic farming movement and community involvement.

A Journey from Intern to CEO

Hailing from the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, where Organic Valley was founded, Nelson's experience with the cooperative began in 2005 as an intern. Over the years, she has progressed through numerous key roles in the organization including marketing, sales analysis, recruitment, employee relations, field operations, and dairy pool management. Each role enhanced her understanding of both the cooperative's strategic objectives and the operational challenges faced by organic farmers.

Nelson's ascent to the CEO position comes as her predecessor, Jeff Frank, transitions to lead Monogram Foods after a successful tenure that began in January 2023. Under Frank's leadership, Organic Valley made significant strides, including substantial investments to improve pay prices for organic family farms, achieving over-target net income performance, reducing overall debt by fifty percent, and reaching the number one branded market share in the organic dairy sector. Frank expressed pride in the cooperative's accomplishments during his leadership and gratitude for the relationships formed along the way.

Board’s Decision and Future Outlook

Dave Hardy, a farmer and president of the board of directors, highlighted the board's enthusiasm in choosing Nelson, praising her strong leadership qualities and deep understanding of the cooperative’s mission. Hardy emphasized, “She has demonstrated a commitment to our farmers and the co-op's core values, making her the right choice to lead us into the future.”

Reflecting on this significant moment, Nelson shared her sentiments stating, “I am deeply honored to build on the momentum developed through Jeff's leadership and step into the role of CEO. The dedication of our team and the trust of our farmer members provide daily inspiration.