If Not Me, Then Who? Leadership from the Ranch to the Boardroom
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
By Kara K. Smith
Legacy isn’t something I inherited—it’s something I choose to build on, every single day.
I’m a fifth-generation rancher, cow nutritionist, and the co-founder of Colorado Craft Beef, a company my husband and I started with deep respect for where we come from and a clear vision for where we’re going. I operate in one of the most male-dominated industries in America: cattle ranching and beef production. And yet, I’ve never let that define my ceiling. If anything, it clarified my purpose.
To me, leadership isn’t about control or title. It’s about stewardship—of land, legacy, and people. It’s about honoring the grit and wisdom of those who came before us, while creating space and opportunity for those coming next. In my case, that next generation includes my two daughters. I’m not just building a business; I’m building a future they can see themselves in.
That’s what it means to lead with legacy in mind.
Colorado Craft Beef was born from a desire to bring transparency, integrity, and innovation into the beef supply chain. But as the brand grew, I saw a deeper opportunity: to model a different kind of leadership—one that didn’t require me to fit a mold. For years, I was the only woman in the room, on the ranch, or at the table where decisions were made. Now, I make it a point to keep the door open for other women to walk through, too.
I believe deeply in showing what’s possible. You can be a mom and a CEO. You can work cattle and run marketing strategy. You can be educated in animal science and speak directly to the modern consumer. The future of agriculture depends on multidimensional leaders, and that includes women who bring perspective, resilience, and a new kind of voice to the table.
That voice matters—especially for the young women who are watching.
I often say: If not me, then who? I didn’t set out to be a trailblazer, but I do recognize the responsibility of visibility. There are still too few women in leadership positions in production agriculture, and even fewer with a seat at the branding or strategy table. That has to change—and the best way I know to help is to keep showing up: fully, authentically, and unapologetically.
Part of building legacy through leadership is mentorship. I work with young women in ag who are navigating career paths in spaces where they may be the only ones who look or lead like them. I remind them that they don’t need permission to lead. Confidence doesn’t always come first—sometimes it follows courage.
My advice to any woman stepping into power for the first time is this: You belong in the room. Speak clearly. Stay grounded in your values. And don’t shrink to fit a space—expand it.
Leadership also means knowing when to evolve. That’s why our brand continues to innovate—whether through sustainable practices, consumer education, or partnerships that amplify American-made products and rural voices. Our mission isn’t just to sell beef. It’s to preserve land, honor animals, support communities, fuel others’ legacies, and ensure agriculture has a trusted face for future generations.
At the end of the day, legacy is about more than what we build—it’s about who we build it for. My hope is that when the sixth generation takes the reins, they inherit something better because we were brave enough to lead differently.
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