United Soybean Board Announces Departure of CEO Polly Ruhland

St. Louis (June 2, 2023) — United Soybean Board (USB) Chief Executive Officer, Polly Ruhland, will leave her position effective December 31, 2023. Ruhland, who led the organization for the past six years, played a pivotal role in driving significant organizational changes and establishing a solid foundation for the future of USB.

During the past six years, the United Soybean Board undertook a transformative journey marked by numerous accomplishments and milestones, including developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan, which buttressed USB’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and market development.

Ruhland’s service includes hiring and training a staff of talented professionals whose expertise and passion have been instrumental in advancing USB’s initiatives and programs. Additionally, Ruhland managed a significant governance restructuring, ensuring streamlined decision-making processes and enhanced collaboration among board members and staff.

“Polly has been a visionary leader for USB during a very transformative time,” says Meagan Kaiser, Chair of the United Soybean Board. “A true servant-leader, her biggest contribution and lasting legacy is building a first-class staff that we can rely on. She inspires me and other farmer leaders to think big picture and will leave the board in a better place than when she started. We are grateful for her dedication to the U.S. soybean industry and American agriculture.”

Under Ruhland’s leadership, the organization initiated and executed a robust evaluation program, ensuring that USB’s activities align with its strategic goals and deliver meaningful results for soybean farmers.

Embracing technology as a catalyst for progress, USB created and adopted several innovative technology solutions to enhance efficiency. These solutions empowered USB to optimize its operations, data management, fiscal stewardship and communication channels, benefiting the soybean industry.

Kaiser will form a search committee to identify a new Chief Executive Officer. The committee will commence its search after USB’s July board meeting to have a new CEO by the end of 2023. The search committee will identify a visionary leader who builds upon the board’s successes and continues driving the USB’s mission forward.

The United Soybean Board remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the soybean industry and supporting the needs of soybean farmers across the United States. As it looks toward the future, the organization is confident in its ability to navigate the upcoming transition and embark on a new chapter of growth and success.

About United Soybean Board:
United Soybean Board’s 77 volunteer farmer-leaders work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers create value by investing in research, education and promotion with the vision to deliver sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day across the three priority areas of Infrastructure & Connectivity, Health & Nutrition, and Innovation & Technology. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit unitedsoybean.org.