When Lisa White talks about her work, one theme comes up again and again: impact. It’s what guided her early career choices, and it’s what eventually led her to AgReserves. She wanted to be somewhere people matter, where culture is lived day to day, and where strong relationships help shape how the work gets done.
She joined AgReserves in 2019 and stepped into the Vice President of Human Resources role in 2021. What she found here, she says, is a place where she can build meaningful connections, partner closely with leaders, and see the value of collaboration in real time.
“We’re not so big that you can’t feel the impact,” she says. “I love that.”
White’s role includes helping bring CEO Doug Rose’s One Company approach into everyday practice – working across locations to encourage consistency, collaboration, and shared learning. She has also contributed to ongoing development efforts by expanding learning resources and refining training to support the company’s long‑term growth mindset.
“Lisa is a strategic partner in every sense,” Rose says. “She understands where we’re headed as a company and ensures our culture and people practices are ready for that future. She brings a thoughtful, courageous voice that strengthens our entire leadership team.”
A Leader Who Elevates Everyone Around Her
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting White because she is a leader whose example consistently raises the bar for our company.
Her approach is grounded in listening, partnership, and creating space for others to grow. She believes leadership is about giving people opportunities to stretch, learn, and shine.
“It’s our job as leaders to give people opportunities to step up or stand out,” she says.
How She Got Here
White’s belief in creating opportunities comes from her own experiences. Early in her HR career, she worked with a senior leader who pushed her to take on challenges she’d never attempted such as presenting to leadership and handling sensitive employee issues. Those uncomfortable moments built her confidence and broadened her sense of what was possible.
Before joining AgReserves, she worked in large organizations including GE and American Express. When she began looking for a change, she wanted something more personal, somewhere she could see the direct impact of her work and feel connected to the people she served. Being referred by someone she trusted and meeting people at Headquarters sealed the deal for White.
“Everyone was so warm and passionate,” she recalls. “You could tell people loved this company.”
Advice for Women Considering Leadership
If White could give advice to her younger self or to any woman hesitant to take the next step, it would be simple: Go for it.
“I wish someone had told me earlier, ‘Trust your instinct, trust your experience,’” she says. “You’re not always going to be the smartest person in the room, and that’s OK. You learn and grow from every opportunity.”
She notes that women often wait until they meet all the job requirements before applying for a role. “Men will say, ‘I meet two of the 10 – I’m going for it,’” she says, laughing. “We need to do that, too. Even if you don’t get the job, you still learn something.”
Looking Ahead: Inclusion, Belonging, and Agility
White is passionate about building a culture where everyone feels they belong.
“It’s not about quotas,” she says. “It’s: Do people feel like they belong at AgReserves? Are there opportunities for people who may be women, may not speak English, or may come from underrepresented backgrounds? Even small steps forward matter.”
She also believes the next generation of leaders will need agility and comfort with reinvention as AI, automation, and shifting workforces reshape industries.
The Legacy She Hopes to Leave
Today, White is motivated by knowing that her work makes a difference: “I love that I can look at something and say, ‘Why are we doing it this way?’ and then actually fix it.”
She hopes her example encourages other women to see what’s possible for them here. “A female voice in the room elevates the conversation,” she says. “We’re making strides, and women can build meaningful careers at AgReserves.”