Meet Karen
Senior Director, Digital Technology
Karen’s career journey has been shaped by curiosity, reinvention, and a drive to solve complex problems. She began her studying accounting in college, but soon realized her true passion centered on people, technology, and understanding how systems work. A single course in information systems opened her eyes to the possibilities of digital innovation and redirected her path. As her career evolved, her longstanding connection to agricultural communities made Cargill a natural place to build meaningful impact as a technology leader.
At Cargill, Karen leads a team that modernizes how the company plans, moves, and procures across global supply chains. She finds it deeply rewarding to shape how emerging technologies influence both the business and the people who depend on it. In an industry that feeds the world and depends on constant innovation, Karen sees endless opportunity to use technology to make life better for people everywhere. For her, that’s the kind of impact worth building a career around.
What’s your favorite thing about working at Cargill?
My favorite thing about working at Cargill is the sense of purpose and community that runs through everything we do. Every day, I get to collaborate with talented colleagues from around the world, all united by a mission to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. The diversity of perspectives here makes us stronger, and I’m inspired by how much people genuinely care about each other’s success and well-being.
Cargill’s culture is built on trust, respect, and a commitment to inclusion. It’s a place where you can grow, make a difference, and be part of something bigger than yourself.
What do you find most rewarding and challenging about your job?
What I find most rewarding about my work is seeing the real-world impact of the technology we build. It’s incredibly fulfilling to collaborate with talented teams and witness how our innovations make a difference for people everywhere.
The most challenging aspect is navigating the pace of transformation. I’m naturally impatient and want to see results quickly, but I’ve learned that meaningful change takes time. The ‘messy middle’ can be tough, but it’s also where growth happens. Staying focused on the long-term vision and supporting my team through challenges helps us move forward, even when the work gets complicated.
You’ve worked in tech across diverse industries, yet agriculture, food, and beverage keep calling you back. What makes this sector unique?
Agriculture and food are foundational to our quality of life. What makes this industry unique is its complexity and its global impact. From the field to the table, every step is shaped by innovation, local context, and constant change.
My connection to this sector is personal. Both my parents grew up on farms, and I spent much of my childhood connected to agricultural communities.
What draws me back to the agriculture and food industry is the sense of purpose. The mission to feed the world isn’t just a vision, it’s a daily call to action that requires creativity, resilience, and collaboration. For anyone considering a tech career, this sector offers the chance to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, every single day.
It’s incredibly fulfilling to collaborate with talented teams and witness how our innovations make a difference for people everywhere.
Getting Noticed in Tech: Building Connections that Matter
Drawing from her own career journey, Karen discusses the importance of building meaningful connections and community to support your goals in tech. She also offers insight into how Cargill’s Digital Technology and Data teams collaborate across the globe to solve real‑world challenges in food and agriculture, creating impact that helps nourish the world.