John Deere's executive women help create a sustainable company

John Deere's leadership team comprises smart people guiding other smart people, which is how iJohn Deere helps its customers build a better world.

John Deere didn't earn the distinction of being listed among The World’s Most Ethical Companies (Ethisphere, 2020) by chance - it starts at the top. Likewise, John Deere's Board of Directors, comprising many experienced women, help the company create a sustainable business — for its customers, employees, communities, and investors.

Meet Mary Jones, Senior VP, General Counsel & Worldwide Public Affairs

Mary K. W. Jones is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Worldwide Public Affairs for Deere & Company.

Mary has held the position since January 2019, and is the company's Chief Legal Officer and has executive management responsibility for the global law and patent departments and the company’s business conduct and public affairs functions.

Mary joined Deere & Company in 1997 as an attorney. She served in Global Law Services for more than 10 years in roles including Senior Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, and Associate General Counsel.

In March 2008 she was appointed Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel. In October 2008, Mary joined the Corporate Human Resources organization as Director, Regional Human Resources and Shared Services. She was named Vice President, Global Human Resources in March 2010. Prior to her current position, she was appointed Senior Vice President and General Counsel in January 2013.

Mary received her bachelor's degree from Truman State University. She received her Juris Doctorate degree, with high distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law, where she was a member of the Editorial Board of the Iowa Law Review.

Mary is a member of the Illinois and Iowa State Bar associations. She is also a member and past Chair of the Corporate Law Departments Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association and a member of the American Law Institute and Association of General Counsel. Mary also serves on the board of directors of HNI Corporation. She is Vice Chair of the board of directors of the Scott County Family YMCA and serves on the board of The Iowa Law School Foundation, as well as the March of Dimes, Mississippi Valley Division.

Meet Tami Erwin, Board of Directors

Tami Erwin is Executive Vice President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Verizon Business Group, a division of Verizon Communications, Inc. The group headed by Erwin provides services and products for business and government clients around the world and has sales of more than $30 billion.

Originally from Seattle, Washington, Tami joined Verizon in the late 1980s as a customer service representative. In subsequent years, her positions included Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of wireless operations.

Tami serves on the Verizon foundation board and the Paley Media Center board of trustees.

Meet Sherry M. Smith, Board of Directors

Sherry M. Smith is the former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Supervalu Inc., a $35 billion grocery company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. She has 25 years of experience in the grocery industry, progressing through various financial management positions including Treasurer, Corporate Controller, and Senior Vice President of Finance.

Sherry has played a critical leadership role in several of the company's strategic initiatives, including acquisitions and business transformation activities.

In addition to being a director on Deere & Company's board, Sherry serves on the Board of Directors of Piper Jaffray Companies, Tuesday Morning Corp., and Realogy Group Inc.

Sherry is a certified public accountant and has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from St. Cloud State University.

Meet Sheila G. Talton, Board of Directors

Sheila G. Talton is President and Chief Executive Officer of Gray Matter Analytics in Chicago, Illinois, a position she has held since 2013.

Prior to her current position, Sheila was President and CEO, SGT Ltd.; Vice President, Cisco Systems, Inc.; Area Vice President, Consumer Products, Electronic Data Systems Corp.; and President, Global Business Process Innovations Services, Electronic Data Systems Corp.

Besides serving on the Deere & Company board, Sherry is a director of OGE Energy Corporation and Sysco Corporation. She also serves the Northwestern Memorial Foundation, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and the Chicago Urban League. Sherry was previously a Board Director for Wintrust Financial Corporation.

Sherry received a B.S. in marketing with a minor in speech communication from Northern Illinois University and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Meet Leanne Caret, Board of Directors

Leanne Caret is an Executive Vice President of The Boeing Company and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Boeing Defense, Space, and Security business. In 2020, Boeing’s revenue from defense and space platforms and services was about $35 billion.

Leanne joined Boeing in the late 1980s and, prior to her present position, she was President of Boeing’s global services and support division and Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of finance, defense, space, and security.

Named to Fortune’s list of Most Powerful Women on five occasions, Leanne is a member of the Women in Aviation Hall of Fame. She is also a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Leanne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University and an MBA from Wichita State University. She earned certifications from executive leadership programs at Harvard University and the University of Notre Dame.