Shawna Nelson has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Organic Valley, a farmer-owned cooperative specializing in organic dairy products. This announcement comes into effect today, marking a significant milestone in Nelson’s extensive 20-year career with the cooperative, which began with her internship.

Leadership Transition

Nelsen succeeds Jeff Frank, who has moved on to lead Monogram Foods after a brief tenure at Organic Valley that started in 2023. During his time, Frank played a crucial role in boosting the cooperative to secure the #1 branded market share within the organic dairy sector.

Voices from the Cooperative

Dave Hardy, a farmer and president of the board at Organic Valley, recognized Frank’s substantial contributions to the cooperative. He expressed confidence in Nelson’s leadership abilities:

“Jeff’s achievements were remarkable, and we are enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead,” he stated. “The board chose Shawna because of her demonstrated strong leadership, understanding of the farmer membership, and connection to the employees.”

Shawna Nelson’s Vision

In her acceptance of the CEO role, Nelson conveyed her enthusiasm for building on the foundation laid by her predecessor. She stated:

“I am deeply honored to build on the momentum developed through Jeff’s leadership and step into the role of CEO. The dedication and passion of our employees, board, and farmer member-owners inspire me every day.”

Nelson aims to foster collaboration throughout the organization, ensuring the cooperative remains committed to its mission for future generations.