In her first year as CEO of the USA Rice Federation, Elizabeth Ward has weathered a global rice supply crisis, coupled with disastrous tornadoes and cyclones in the U.S. and Asia that have destroyed crops and tightened the world market for rice. But for Ward, it’s still her “dream job” and a far cry from the comfortable roles she held at American Forest & Paper Association, where she spent 17 years. After a mentor suggested that she leave the trade group to advance up the ranks quicker, Ward joined the senior leadership of USA Rice. AF&PA lured her back two years later to run the Hardwood Federation, another paper and wood products association under the trade… Read More