For three decades, Sheryl Meshke has been a steward of the dairy industry, serving at Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI), the largest cheese cooperative based in the U.S. In 2023, she was named president and CEO, becoming the first woman to lead a U.S. dairy cooperative, after eight years as co-president and CEO. New Ulm-based AMPI owns seven Midwest manufacturing plants, which make up about 10% of the nation’s butter and American-type natural cheese. AMPI members market about 6 billion pounds of milk, with annual sales approaching $2 billion. Meshke serves on the boards of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, the National Milk Producers Federation, and the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and she is chair of the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council.