A new leader will soon take the helm of the dairy checkoff.
Corey Scott has been named the next president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), following a months-long national search by the DMI Board of Directors. She will succeed Barbara O’Brien, who plans to retire following the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, National Milk Producers Federation and United Dairy Industry Association, Oct. 19-21.
Scott will become the third president and CEO in DMI’s history.
For Scott, the move brings her from leading Midwest Dairy’s checkoff efforts across 10 states to overseeing the national organization. She has served as Midwest Dairy’s president and CEO since 2024, representing more than 3,600 dairy farm families and 41.8 million consumers.
“America’s dairy farmers have built one of the most respected and successful checkoff organizations in agriculture, and I am honored by the opportunity to serve them,” Scott said.
In her new role, Scott will oversee more than 150 DMI and National Dairy Council employees serving more than 23,000 dairy farmers and dairy importers. She also will serve as president and CEO of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.
Bringing a Broad Dairy Dackground
Scott has spent much of her career working across agriculture and the dairy industry.
Before joining Midwest Dairy, she was vice president of sales and marketing for Athian. She also spent more than 15 years in leadership roles with Land O’Lakes.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business from the University of Minnesota and an executive MBA from the university’s Carlson School of Management.
Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer and chair of the DMI Board of Directors, said Scott’s experience and leadership stood out during the search.
“We are so excited for the next phase of DMI where Corey will focus on our program areas, strengthen our relationships and bring efficiencies to the incredible work that Barb O’Brien advanced during the past five years,” Hershey said.
The search committee unanimously recommended Scott for the position.
“Corey will bring a positive and effective energy to the federation and will continue the amazing work that is implemented for dairy farmers and importers across the country,” Hershey said.
Scott said her focus will include continuing to build demand for dairy, connect with consumers and create opportunities for future generations in the industry.
“The work of the dairy checkoff remains critical to growing dairy demand, connecting with today’s consumers and creating new opportunities for the next generation of farmers and importers,” she said.
A Transition After Five Years
Scott takes over as O’Brien prepares to step away after 25 years with DMI. O’Brien has served as president and CEO since 2021 and announced her retirement in March.
During her time leading DMI, the organization worked to bring greater alignment across the dairy checkoff, expand innovation efforts and advance a unified strategy focused on dairy sales and consumer trust.
O’Brien said serving dairy farmers has been the highlight of her career and she feels good about where she is leaving the organization.
“Serving dairy farmers has been the privilege of my career,” O’Brien said. “I have every confidence that Corey and our outstanding DMI team will continue advancing the work of the dairy checkoff while remaining focused on the farmers and importers who make it all possible.”
Her final day as president and CEO will follow the October annual meeting, when Scott will take over the national leadership role.
