2025 WIA Demeter Award of Excellence Recipients Shine in their Nominations

By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (August 26, 2025)

With the esteemed honor of being chosen as one of only three women out of 34 to receive the 2025 Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Demeter Award of Excellence, Leah Anderson of WinField United & Land O’Lakes, Frances Churchill of the University of Kansas and Sara Neagu-Reed of the International Fresh Produce Association will be recognized and receive their awards at next month’s annual WIA Summit in Orlando.

WIA Today thought there was no better way to get to know the recipients than to quote from their nominations for the award. Please read on, and also check out the press release for more details.

Leah Anderson, President of WinField United & SVP, Land O’Lakes

• Nominated by Glenda Gehl, vice president of agribusiness R&D and innovation at Land O’Lakes.

  
  

“Leah Anderson is supporting the long-term resiliency of the American farmer and an abundant global food supply by enabling the success of ag retailers and growers. As a testament to her leadership, Leah was recently recognized as one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Rising Executives in the Fortune 500.

“By leaning on her career background in technology, Leah has made data the cornerstone of WinField United’s innovation strategy, allowing it to provide insights that help farmers respond to market trends and secure our food system.

“On a larger scale, her work is contributing to the success of Land O’Lakes, Inc., a 103-year-old farmer- and retail-owned cooperative that touches half the harvested acres in America, 25 percent of U.S. farmers and over 10,000 rural communities.”

Frances Churchill, Professor of Practice, University of Kansas

• Nominated by Melinda Farris, CEO of the International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) & Erica Porter, Ardent Mills, plant manager, Canada. 

  
  

“Fran Churchill exemplifies excellence in agribusiness through her unique blend of technical expertise, educational leadership, and unwavering dedication to cultivating the next generation of leaders in the grain milling industry,” said Melinda Farris, IAOM, who noted that Churchill currently serves as president of the IAOM where “she plays a key role in advancing workforce development across the global milling community. She is the first woman to be elected president in IAOM’s 125+ year history, and was also among the first women to serve on the association’s board of directors.

“Under her leadership, IAOM has expanded access to education and training, created space for underrepresented voices, and modernized its programming to better reflect the needs of today’s workforce....'

Said second nominator for Churchill, Erica Porter of Ardent Mills, “Fran has done an outstanding job throughout her career of proving that women can make a real difference in the milling industry…. She has made a lasting impact on the agricultural industry by championing and uplifting female leaders through mentorship, advocacy and community building. Her passion for fostering an inclusive and empowering space shines through the IAOM Women in Milling Roundtable.”

Sarah Neagu-Reed, Director, Production & Environmental Policy, International Fresh Produce Association

• Nominated by Elaine Trevino, VP, Government Relations and Sustainability, Sunkist Growers and Fruit Growers Supply, & Colin O’Neil, principal of O'Neil Strategies, LLC and a senior policy advisor to the CEA Alliance.

“Sara Neagu-Reed has emerged as one of the most effective and visionary leaders in the agribusiness sector, with a lasting impact on organic policy, federal agricultural legislation, and equity within the specialty crop industry…. She has been a driving force behind critical reforms to the National Organic Program… and single-handedly led advocacy efforts that reshaped organic policy to be more inclusive and reflective of industry needs,” said Elaine Trevino, VP, Government Relations and Sustainability, Sunkist Growers and Fruit Growers Supply

“Sara’s advocacy [in introducing a Farm Bill marker bill] was pivotal in securing expanded research funding specifically aimed at the challenges faced by specialty crop growers using organic and sustainable methods… beyond legislative halls, Sara is widely respected as a mentor and collaborator—frequently sought out by colleagues and clients for her expertise, strategic insight, and problem-solving acumen. She has earned her a reputation as both a thought leader and a trusted ally to growers.” 

Said Colin O’Neil of O’Neil Strategies LLC, “Sara’s contributions to organic policy, her leadership in shaping the Farm Bill, and her unwavering commitment to inclusivity have made her a transformative figure in American agribusiness. Her work has not only improved policy—it has empowered growers, expanded opportunity, and paved the way for a more sustainable and equitable agricultural future.” 

Join us at the 14^th annual Women in Agribusiness Summit next month in Orlando, September 22-24, as we celebrate these exceptional women in ag in person and onstage. Read more about the Demeter Award and its past recipients here.