Welcome to IDFA’s Women in Dairy network!
IDFA’s Women in Dairy network works to improve recruiting, retention, and gender equality within the U.S. dairy sector through data-based metrics and tools, C-suite engagement, and by fostering networking and professional and leadership development.
IDFA commits to achieving this vision by consistently focusing our activities, events, and discussions on the following values:
- Leadership and professional development
- Networking and mentorship facilitation
- Gender equality advocacy and advancement
- Improving recruiting and retention
Whether through our annual mentoring circles, professional development webinars, fireside chats, surveys, or networking receptions, there are many ways for you to engage with IDFA’s Women in Dairy network!
To learn more about IDFA’s Women in Dairy Network, our latest news is posted below. Members of Women in Dairy can access existing resources on the Women in Dairy members page.
Not yet a member? Fill out this form to join the network!
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Women in Dairy Reading & Leading Book Club
IDFA is pleased to offer the Women in Dairy Reading & Leading Book Club for members of the Women in Dairy Network! Like the Women in Dairy Network overall, the selections chosen and discussed by the book club will focus on leadership, personal development and career advancement.
Learn more about the book club and sign up for our next meeting here!
2025 State of Women in Dairy Report
IDFA’s second-ever State of Women in Dairy Report provides IDFA members and the dairy industry with new data-based metrics and recommendations to support gender equality across the entire supply chain.
Here’s a small sampling of what we found:
- Women Are Taking More Initiative to Lead – More women (54%) reported asking for promotions compared to men (47%), with 62% of those women saying they received those promotions—a rate equal to men.
- Gen Z and Millennial Women Have a Bleaker Outlook for a Future in Dairy: 41% of Gen Z and Millennial female respondents said it will be harder to advance in dairy because of their gender compared to 22% of Gen X and Baby Boomer women, and 21% of men overall.
- “Frontline” Women Are More Likely to Leave Dairy if Faced With Limited Opportunites for Advancement: 29% of female frontline workers have left a job in dairy due to lack of opportunities and promotion and an additional 16% tried to leave without finding other opportunities. Moving forward, 47% of them would consider leaving their job if gender were playing a role in preventing their advancement.
That is just a small sample of what this report offers. We encourage current and future leaders in the dairy industry to review the report, consider the findings, and look for ways to engage with IDFA and your own teams to address challenges and create more opportunities for women in U.S. dairy. This is an important opportunity for collaboration and progress.
Click here to find out more.
IDFA’s Women Summit
The IDFA Women’s Summit celebrates and empowers women in the dairy industry. The inaugural Summit was held in March 2024 and convened rising and established leaders to advance gender equality, bolster their leadership skills, advocate on behalf of dairy’s top policy priorities, and network.
IDFA Women’s Summit attendees participate in sessions focused on practical strategies for better support women at all levels of dairy organizations, leadership development, mentorship, allyship, and advocacy.
Click here to find out more.
Mentoring Circles
IDFA’s Women in Dairy Mentoring Circles provide participants the opportunity to join a supportive network of peers in the dairy industry to network, exchange knowledge, share insights, and support their professional development. Unlike traditional one-on-one mentoring relationships, IDFA’s mentoring circles are made up of 1-2 mentors who can offer their own experiences as leaders in the industry and 5-10 mentees who can benefit from guidance on their own professional development and career journeys. The circles are matched based on participant interests and are comprised of dairy industry professionals in various stages in their careers. Not only will participants find camaraderie and empowerment in these circles, but they will make lifelong connections with others in the industry through open and honest dialogue.
For many, concerns about time commitments are paramount when juggling their own personal lives and careers. To combat this, IDFA has developed the mentoring circles to only run for 1 hour per month on an annual cycle. Each circle chooses the time and day that works best for them. This ensures maximum participation from each participant and helps drive the circles forward throughout the year. In addition to setting their own meeting times each month, each circle sets their own agenda and topics of discussion. This makes each circle as unique as its individual participants. To give you a preview of topics typically discussed in the mentoring circles, groups have traditionally covered topics ranging from navigating how to ask for a promotion, understanding communication styles, developing leadership skills, and managing work-life balance. Mentoring circle participants regularly report the valuable relationships and strong camaraderie they have built with other women in the dairy industry through their circles.
The sign-up window for IDFA’s Mentoring Circles is currently closed. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
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In-Person Events at Dairy Forum
Women in Dairy hosts an annual networking reception at IDFA’s Dairy Forum for women across the dairy industry to connect. This year we are also excited to announce a panel we will be having on elevating women in the industry. Please register for Dairy Forum and join the discussion!
Join Women in Dairy
Not yet a member? Fill out this form to join the network!
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Contact Us
For more information about IDFA’s Women in Dairy, please contact one of the staff leads below.
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