PRESS RELEASE: Recipients of the 2025 Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award Announced
- Michelle Pelletier Marshall
- Aug 7
- 5 min read
ORLANDO, August 7, 2025 – Three outstanding women from food & ag have been recognized with the prestigious Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Demeter Award of Excellence 2025. They are: Leah Anderson of WinField United and Land O’Lakes, Inc.; Frances Churchill of Kansas State University; and Sara Neagu-Reed from the International Fresh Produce Association.
This annual award, now in its 13th year, is dedicated to acknowledging the outstanding achievements of women in their respective fields and their exceptional contributions to the agribusiness industry. In addition, these women are notable for being inspiring role models and valuable resources to others, as well as exemplifying professionalism and actively dismantling barriers and fostering opportunities. Women in Agribusiness received over 35 nominations this year, with several candidates receiving multiple nominations.
The recipients will be celebrated and honored at this year’s Women in Agribusiness Summit, which will be held September 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, where they will be invited on stage to receive their awards and address the nearly 1,000 attendees.
Leah Anderson, WinField United and Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Leah Anderson, based out of Arden Hills, Minnesota, is senior vice president of Land O’Lakes, Inc., and president of its crop inputs and insights business, WinField United. During her 11 years with Land O’Lakes, she has served in various leadership roles across sales, marketing, member relations and technology. In 2024, Fortune named Anderson one of the Most Powerful Rising Executives in the Fortune 500.
Anderson is recognized for utilizing her background in technology to make data the cornerstone of WinField United’s innovation strategy. Under her leadership, the business collects and processes over 6 million data points annually – the industry’s most robust data set to inform recommendations for farmers. This data is used to advise a robust, science-backed pipeline of new products and services aimed at offering more predictability and profitability to farmers. In 2024 alone, Anderson oversaw the launch of more than 15 new products that directly address challenges faced by farmers today.
Anderson supports broader ag initiatives through her positions on the board of directors for GreenPoint Ag and CropLife America. Outside of this critical ag work, she is an active member of her local community as a mentor for student career planning at her alma mater, St. Olaf College, a member of the University of Minnesota Gopher Athletes fund supporting student athletes and more. She also has served on the Industrial Advisory Council for University of Minnesota’s College of Science & Engineering, and the Board of Directors for Minnesota Tech For Success, among others.
Said her nominator, Glenda Gehl, vice president of agribusiness R&D and innovation at Land O’Lakes, “Leah is a leader that finds purpose and puts her whole self into her work. She doesn't take lightly the weight of her role and the importance of supporting America’s farmers into the future…. [she] is driving outsized impact by enabling long-term resiliency and success for retailers and growers with cutting-edge agronomic research, product development and insights generation.”
Frances Churchill, Kansas State University
Frances Churchill has a long and storied career in ag, which began at The Pillsbury Company in 1984 in St. Louis, Missouri, and flourished as she served in leadership roles for ConAgra Flour Milling Co, The Mennel Milling Company, General Mills, and Knoxville Milling Company/C.H. Guenther & Sons. In 2012, she joined Kansas State University as the North American Milling Instructor of Milling Science & Management and is now a Professor of Practice.
Churchill is an active member of the International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) and was the first woman to be elected as president in its 125+ year history, and also was among the first women to serve on the association’s board of directors. She also chairs the IAOM Women in Milling Roundtable that was started in 2020.
Churchill is credited with strengthening IAOM’s collaboration with other key industry partners through her thoughtful approach to cross-sector engagement that builds trust, and her focus on innovation, education and succinct communications.
“One of Fran’s most meaningful contributions has been her commitment to increasing visibility and inclusion for women in milling – a field historically lacking in gender diversity. She is a leading advocate for IAOM’s Women in Milling initiative and frequently speaks about the importance of building community, mentoring young professionals, and removing barriers to entry,” said her one of her nominators, Melinda Farris, CEO of IAOM. “Fran’s empathy, transparency, and approachability make her a powerful role model for both women and men across the agribusiness sector…. In every role she holds, Fran is a force for good in agribusiness. She brings a rare combination of deep technical skill, people-centered leadership, and a genuine passion for helping others thrive.”
Sara Neagu-Reed, International Produce Association
Sara L. Neagu-Reed, director of production and environmental policy with the International Fresh Produce Association, was recognized for her contributions to organic policy, her leadership in shaping the Farm Bill, and her unwavering commitment to inclusivity in the ag sector.
Said one of her nominators, Elaine Trevino of Sunkist Growers, “Sara 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. Through her strategic leadership, tireless advocacy, and inclusive policy development, Sara has advanced the interests of fresh produce growers across the country—particularly those committed to organic and sustainable farming.”
Neagu-Reed, who is based in Washington, D.C., is credited for being a driving force behind critical reforms to the National Organic Program, as well as introducing a Farm Bill marker bill designed to increase direct farmer engagement with the National Organic Program, and advocating for expanded research funding aimed at the challenges faced by specialty crop growers using organic and sustainable methods.
Neagu-Reed also 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 is known for delivering high-impact results to advise farmer coalitions on strategy, help associations navigate regulatory updates and guide processors in accessing new funding, which has earned her a reputation as both a thought leader and a trusted ally to growers.
Learn more about the WIA Demeter Award of Excellence and view the more than 30 outstanding women in ag recognized throughout the years.
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About Women in Agribusiness
Women in Agribusiness, an Arc company, is the foremost organization dedicated to leading the growth in global female agribusiness leadership. Its platform encourages collaboration for innovation and development through activities that “empower, connect and elevate” women in the ag sector. Its renowned annual Women in Agribusiness Summit, now in its 14th year, serves as a vital platform for women to network with professionals across the agriculture value chain, build business relationships, learn from esteemed thought leaders and stay informed on key commercial topics in agribusiness.
Follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Visit www.womeninag.com for more info.
About Arc
Arc is a B2B events, data, and marketing services platform, backed by investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital. Founded to redefine business networking, Arc organises over 150 events a year and operates critical content platforms in HR, agriculture and food, financial services and investing and education technology. Arc has over 450 talented colleagues located in the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, and Singapore who focus on seeking out new ways to connect communities, wherever, whenever, or however people need to come together to grow their businesses.
For more information, visit www.arc-network.com or find Arc on LinkedIn.
