Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

As a Cooperative, we strive to live our values of passion, quality, integrity and community not only through our day-to-day work, but also in our relationships and interactions with our farmer-owners, our customers and one another. We continue to work to create and promote a culture that is welcoming to everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or ability. It takes all of us to embrace diversity, ensure equity and foster inclusion across the Cooperative — everyone has a role.
Employees chatting in a meetingEmployees chatting in a meeting

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

As a Cooperative, we strive to live our values of passion, quality, integrity and community not only through our day-to-day work, but also in our relationships and interactions with our farmer-owners, our customers and one another. We continue to work to create and promote a culture that is welcoming to everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or ability. It takes all of us to embrace diversity, ensure equity and foster inclusion across the Cooperative — everyone has a role.

Our diversity, equity and inclusion statement

We are focused on maintaining a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live, operate and serve. We believe that diverse perspectives lead to better decisions, more creative innovation, more effective problem solving, and strong customer and consumer relationships. To achieve these goals, we are committed to fostering and strengthening a culture of openness, inclusion, constant introspection and continued growth.

Our DEI pillars

Community engagement

Community engagement iconCommunity engagement icon

Diversity

Diversity iconDiversity icon

Inclusion

Inclusion iconInclusion icon

Equity

Equity iconEquity icon

Guiding principles

We are one – everyone at DFA is valued for their unique perspective and contributions and is a key member of the DFA family.

We can always do better – diversity and inclusion is a journey, not a destination, and requires a drive for continuous evaluation, reflection and improvement.

We are all accountable – every member of the DFA family is encouraged and expected to hold themselves and others accountable for upholding a culture of diversity and inclusion.
Worker manufacturing milkWorker manufacturing milk

Meeting the diversity, equity and inclusion advisory council

To help drive continuous improvement and support from employees, we have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council comprised of employees from across the Cooperative to help guide strategies to enhance and strengthen our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Meeting the diversity, equity and inclusion advisory council

To help drive continuous improvement and support from employees, we have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council comprised of employees from across the Cooperative to help guide strategies to enhance and strengthen our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Giving back in our communities

To maintain a workforce reflective of the communities in which we live, operate and serve, we partner with organizations across the country who share in our commitment to diversity and inclusion to support our communities.

Giving back in our communities

To maintain a workforce reflective of the communities in which we live, operate and serve, we partner with organizations across the country who share in our commitment to diversity and inclusion to support our communities.

Hear from our employees

Ona Coker
Director, Export order fulfillment
Kansas City, Kan.
Director, Export order fulfillment
“I work with colleagues who challenge me every day to bring my ‘A’ game to the table. I like to bring value, add ideas and collaborate consistently for improvement of the organization.”
“I work with colleagues who challenge me every day to bring my ‘A’ game to the table. I like to bring value, add ideas and collaborate consistently for improvement of the organization.”
Ona CokerOna Coker
Anna Ivanova
Laboratory manager
Salt Lake City, Utah
Laboratory Manager
“When I was invited to be a part of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, it made me proud to be me, to share where I come from and to be a part of a community that cares.”
“When I was invited to be a part of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, it made me proud to be me, to share where I come from and to be a part of a community that cares.”
Anna IvanovaAnna Ivanova
Cherrese Belt
Director, Human resources, diversity, equity, and inclusion
Dallas, Texas
Director, Human resources, diversity, equity, and inclusion
"We all play a role in building an environment that enables everyone to reach their full potential and be champions for change."
 
"We all play a role in building an environment that enables everyone to reach their full potential and be champions for change."
Cherrese BeltCherrese Belt
Dave Traughber
Lead driver
Jerome, Idaho
Lead driver
“DFA is truly a family. Just like a real family, we all have our own personalities to bring to the table, and we all have the opportunity to support one another and learn from one another daily.”
“DFA is truly a family. Just like a real family, we all have our own personalities to bring to the table, and we all have the opportunity to support one another and learn from one another daily.”
Dave TraughberDave Traughber
Kim Parks
Vice President, Business optimization
Kansas City, Kan.
Vice President, Business optimization
“All voices matter; all perspectives matter. Having diversity of voices in agricultural and dairy issues brings genuine, authentic leadership into the Cooperative.”
“All voices matter; all perspectives matter. Having diversity of voices in agricultural and dairy issues brings genuine, authentic leadership into the Cooperative.”
Kim ParksKim Parks
Miguel Lopez
Purchasing specialist
St. Albans, Vt.
Purchasing specialist
“I look forward to bringing everyone together and making our workplace uniquely enjoyable, where everyone can be comfortable, confident and feel supported through actions and not just words.”
“I look forward to bringing everyone together and making our workplace uniquely enjoyable, where everyone can be comfortable, confident and feel supported through actions and not just words.”
Miguel LopezMiguel Lopez
Mike Warren
Quality assurance manager
Belvidere, Ill.
Quality assurance manager
“The employees here show great passion for their jobs. They are not afraid to speak up about issues and how we can do better. I appreciate that.” 
“The employees here show great passion for their jobs. They are not afraid to speak up about issues and how we can do better. I appreciate that.” 
Mike WarrenMike Warren

Hear from our employees

Ona Coker
Director, Export order fulfillment
Kansas City, Kan.
Director, Export order fulfillment
“I work with colleagues who challenge me every day to bring my ‘A’ game to the table. I like to bring value, add ideas and collaborate consistently for improvement of the organization.”
“I work with colleagues who challenge me every day to bring my ‘A’ game to the table. I like to bring value, add ideas and collaborate consistently for improvement of the organization.”
Ona CokerOna Coker
Anna Ivanova
Laboratory manager
Salt Lake City, Utah
Laboratory Manager
“When I was invited to be a part of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, it made me proud to be me, to share where I come from and to be a part of a community that cares.”
“When I was invited to be a part of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, it made me proud to be me, to share where I come from and to be a part of a community that cares.”
Anna IvanovaAnna Ivanova
Cherrese Belt
Director, Human resources, diversity, equity, and inclusion
Dallas, Texas
Director, Human resources, diversity, equity, and inclusion
"We all play a role in building an environment that enables everyone to reach their full potential and be champions for change."
 
"We all play a role in building an environment that enables everyone to reach their full potential and be champions for change."
Cherrese BeltCherrese Belt
Dave Traughber
Lead driver
Jerome, Idaho
Lead driver
“DFA is truly a family. Just like a real family, we all have our own personalities to bring to the table, and we all have the opportunity to support one another and learn from one another daily.”
“DFA is truly a family. Just like a real family, we all have our own personalities to bring to the table, and we all have the opportunity to support one another and learn from one another daily.”
Dave TraughberDave Traughber
Kim Parks
Vice President, Business optimization
Kansas City, Kan.
Vice President, Business optimization
“All voices matter; all perspectives matter. Having diversity of voices in agricultural and dairy issues brings genuine, authentic leadership into the Cooperative.”
“All voices matter; all perspectives matter. Having diversity of voices in agricultural and dairy issues brings genuine, authentic leadership into the Cooperative.”
Kim ParksKim Parks
Miguel Lopez
Purchasing specialist
St. Albans, Vt.
Purchasing specialist
“I look forward to bringing everyone together and making our workplace uniquely enjoyable, where everyone can be comfortable, confident and feel supported through actions and not just words.”
“I look forward to bringing everyone together and making our workplace uniquely enjoyable, where everyone can be comfortable, confident and feel supported through actions and not just words.”
Miguel LopezMiguel Lopez
Mike Warren
Quality assurance manager
Belvidere, Ill.
Quality assurance manager
“The employees here show great passion for their jobs. They are not afraid to speak up about issues and how we can do better. I appreciate that.” 
“The employees here show great passion for their jobs. They are not afraid to speak up about issues and how we can do better. I appreciate that.” 
Mike WarrenMike Warren
DFA is more than a Cooperative of dairy farm families — we’re a community of accountants, scientists, engineers, computer technicians, communicators and more. Whether you’ve stepped foot on a dairy farm or not, there’s a place at DFA for you to make your mark and help feed families down the road and across the world.