Heidi Andermack
Co-founder, Chowgirls
As the co-founder of Chowgirls, one of Minnesota’s first sustainable catering companies, Heidi Andermack has always viewed good service, good company culture, and doing good for the community and environment
2024 Notable Women in Agriculture, Food, and Beverage
From farm to table—with growing, manufacturing, financing, marketing, packaging, and service in between—food and agriculture is one of Minnesota’s most prominent industries. Meet 18 women who are driving innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship in Minnesota companies large and small, while keeping local farmers and makers at the heart of the mission.
Methodology: The individuals featured did not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list is not comprehensive; it includes only people who were nominated and accepted after editorial review. To qualify for this list, individuals must have at least five years of experience in their field and have shown the ability to effect change in their roles or areas of practice.
To nominate other best-in-class executives in their fields, click here.
Emily Andes
Research and innovation manager, Bushel Boy Farms
Since joining Bushel Boy Farms five years ago, Emily Andes has made a lasting impact on the Midwest’s leading year-round greenhouse grower. Combining her experience growing up on a farm,
Beth Burgy
President/COO, Broadhead
Named National Agri-Marketing Association Marketer of the Year in 2023, Beth Burgy is well known in her field as a client-focused marketer, serving long-standing clients including Firestone and Wilbur-Ellis. She
Jane Maland Cady
Program director, Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems, McKnight Foundation
As the founding director of McKnight Foundation’s Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems (CRFS), Jane Maland Cady’s leadership approach centers on farmers and Indigenous communities. CRFS works directly with farmers
Nancy Close
CEO, CKC Good Food
Nancy Close has devoted her life to hospitality and delicious food. She grew up in and eventually bought her parents’ St. Paul restaurant, Caravan Serai, which led to the launch
Jenny Doering
Managing director of animal agriculture, Compeer Financial
Jenny Doering was chosen to lead Compeer Financial’s animal agriculture division in 2022, after successfully leading the firm’s home mortgage division as vice president for many years. Colleagues say she’s
Malissa Fritz
Vice president of communications, CHS
Malissa Fritz leverages 25 years of agriculture communications experience to lead communications at CHS, the global agriculture cooperative based in Inver Grove Heights. She oversees a team that communicates with
Allison Hohn
Executive director, Naturally Minnesota
As executive director of Naturally Minnesota (previously known as Grow North), Allison Hohn leads an organization focused on accelerating and connecting Minnesota’s food, agricultural, and natural products innovation ecosystem. Since
Sara Jespersen
Owner, Mad Capper, The Lumberjack
A native of Hibbing, Sara Jespersen takes her Minnesota values seriously. After settling in Stillwater, she made it her mission to “bring joy to the city” by becoming a local
Peggy Jones
Vice president of research and sales, American Peat Technology
Peggy Jones drives innovation through research and development at American Peat Technology (APT), an Aitkin manufacturer of products from natural peat (partially decayed vegetation or organic matter). From 2017-2019, Jones
Sara Kubiak
Founder, Vanilla Bean Project
Sara Kubiak launched the Vanilla Bean Project in 2018 as the first vanilla company to be regenerative organic certified, a credential that represents the highest standard for organic agriculture. The
Tara Marohl
Vice president of sales, off-premise wine and spirits, Breakthru Beverage Minnesota
Elevated to vice president of sales in 2020, Tara Marohl steered Breakthru Beverage Minnesota through the pandemic. Today, the Minneapolis-based wholesaler counts 85% of Minnesota’s wine and spirit businesses as
Theresa McCormick
Executive director, The Good Acre
Theresa McCormick joined The Good Acre (TGA), the largest nonprofit food hub in Minnesota, two years ago, after nearly a decade with Second Harvest Heartland. As executive director of The
Sheryl Meshke
President/CEO, Associated Milk Producers Inc.
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,
Laura Mullen
Co-founder/vice president of outreach & marketing, Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
Laura Mullen is a driving force behind Bent Paddle Brewing’s significant growth. Since opening in Duluth in 2013, the company has grown from five to 45 employees and continues to
Emily Paul
Partner, Food Works Group
For more than a decade, Emily Paul has led food organizations to address cultural, economic, and equity factors in local food systems. Following stints with Kitchen Coalition and The Good
Emily Vikre
Co-founder/CEO, Vikre Distilling
Emily Vikre launched Vikre Distilling in Duluth in 2013, building the company from startup to distribution in 10 states. The distillery has grown a product line of 12 spirits and
Lee Wallace
Owner/CEO, Peace Coffee
Lee Wallace is the “queen bean” of Peace Coffee, a company she acquired from its founding nonprofit, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, in late 2017. She describes her