Shaping dairy’s future together

Fall has brought more than a change in season. It has also marked an exciting new chapter in leadership at Midwest Dairy and Dairy Management Inc. I am honored to step into the role of interim chief executive officer of Midwest Dairy as former CEO Corey Scott begins her next journey as president and CEO of DMI.

While I am new to this position, my commitment to dairy farmers and the checkoff has been nearly two decades in the making. Over the past 17 years, I have had the privilege of working across nearly every facet of our organization, gaining firsthand experience in how innovation, collaboration and strategic investment can shape dairy’s future. I began by leading health and wellness initiatives, building connections with health professionals, schools, academic institutions, government leaders and public health organizations. From there, I advanced to vice president of business unit operations, working alongside talented teams across Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota to bring our strategic priorities to life while strengthening engagement with our boards.

My journey then led me into research and innovation, where I gained a deeper appreciation for the groundbreaking work happening through the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center and the tremendous opportunity to connect research more directly to industry needs. I also had the opportunity to help expand the Midwest Dairy Accelerator, supporting entrepreneurs who are reimagining what is possible with dairy and bringing new ideas to market. Along the way, I spent time on the road learning from processors across the Midwest, uncovering new ways we can work together to create greater impact. Most recently, as senior vice president of sales and partnerships, I led the development of our next strategic plan, helping chart the course that will guide our organization from 2027 through 2031.

There has never been a more exciting time to be working on behalf of dairy farmers. As we approach the conclusion of our current 3-year strategic plan, I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished. Together, we have built trust in dairy with millions of consumers through innovative partnerships like the Big 12 Conference, strengthened relationships with foodservice partners like Godfather’s and helped move millions of incremental pounds of milk through valued retail partnerships across our 10-state region.

As interim CEO, my focus is twofold: Celebrate the momentum we have built and accelerate confidently into the future. Our new 5-year strategic plan is the result of months of data analysis, consumer research, performance evaluation and thoughtful planning. It is designed to position dairy not just for where consumers are today but for where they are heading tomorrow. The plan reflects our team’s commitment to bringing dairy to life by giving consumers an excellent dairy experience and ensuring dairy remains relevant in an evolving marketplace.

Looking ahead, Midwest Dairy will continue to drive growth through retail and foodservice partnerships while expanding our presence in the moments and channels that influence purchasing decisions. We will connect with consumers through targeted outreach and cultural touchpoints, elevate dairy’s science-backed role in health and wellness and equip health professionals with the resources they need to turn research into practical guidance for families. We will continue investing in transformative research that unlocks new possibilities for dairy, invest in programs that inspire future consumers, and help cultivate the next generation of dairy leaders who will shape our industry’s future.

Dairy remains one of the most versatile, nutritious and innovative food categories in the world. Behind every glass of milk, slice of cheese and scoop of yogurt are dedicated dairy farm families working around the clock to nourish communities and feed a growing world. Your dedication gives our industry a strong foundation and stories worth sharing. I am proud to support this mission, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead alongside the Midwest Dairy staff as we advance opportunities for dairy and the farm families we represent.