1990 Monmouth alumna built a successful career fueled by ‘a high level of curiosity.’
The career of Monmouth College graduate Robin Ottenad Galloway is a testament to the power of liberal arts degree. A three-decade veteran of the ice cream industry, Galloway has also worked in the oil and automotive industries.
Galloway — who is president of the ice cream division of DFA Dairy Brands, a national milk marketing cooperative owned by family dairy farmers and based in Kansas City, Missouri — hopes to help future generations of Monmouth students pursue successful careers. That is why she has been named to the Monmouth College Board of Trustees.
“We are honored that Robin has agreed to join the Monmouth College Board of Trustees. She has been an engaged and dedicated alumna of the College since her graduation in 1990,” said Monmouth President Clarence R. Wyatt. “That belief in the College’s mission, combined with her outstanding success in the world of business and finance, will add much to an already strong Board. Robin will also serve as a role model of professional excellence, service to community and leadership in all aspects of life for all of our students.”
Galloway, who lives in the Dallas area, said she is honored to serve as a trustee at her alma mater because it is an opportunity to “support the next generation of Monmouth students.”
“When I was invited to serve on the Board of Trustees, I thought, ‘What a great way to get even more involved with the College and give back in multiple ways,'” said Galloway, who has been a loyal donor to her alma mater since completing her accounting degree. “Being a Monmouth trustee gives me the opportunity to work with a group of people you respect and who have a shared experience at the College. We all work together to create opportunities that will support the next generation of Monmouth students.”
Galloway’s career started in Chicago in finance at Amoco Oil Co., which is now part of the BP oil company. After moving to Detroit, Galloway joined the automotive systems group of Johnson Controls, where she worked in accounting and finance.
Galloway then joined Dean Foods, where she rose to vice president of finance during her decade with the Chicago-based company. After serving as chief financial officer with Restaurants Unlimited, Galloway returned to the ice cream industry as chief financial officer with Iowa-based Wells Enterprises.
That led to serving as CFO of Minneapolis-based Schwan Foods, then as CEO of Fieldbrook Foods before joining the new DFA Dairy Brands entity.
“I think, ‘How did I go from being an entry-level accountant to being a president of a division?'” said Galloway, who is a native of the Chicago suburbs and also holds a master’s degree in business administration. “To start with, I have a high level of curiosity, and finance suits that well because it allows you to ask questions about all different areas of a business. That curiosity and ability to learn from others and not judge but absorb a bunch of information and then help create a good decision for the organization has benefited me and allowed me to do a bunch of different things with different organizations in different capacities throughout my career.”
Galloway also gives her Monmouth experience “a lot of credit” for her professional successes — especially her willingness to take a risk.
“When I was a Monmouth student, I wasn’t placed on a single track or in a box where all I learned how to do was accounting,” she said. “Instead I received a broad education that gave me the ability to explore different areas, ask questions and work with different kinds of people.”
Galloway said that Monmouth’s strong sense of community also nurtured her during her time as a student.
“I loved the fact that at Monmouth we ate in one common dining room, which meant that you might not know every single person’s name on campus but everyone looked familiar to you and you felt that you were part of this larger community,” said Galloway, who was member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. “I liked that we could get involved in different activities, and there were so many opportunities to watch my friends participate in campus activities, such as sporting events.
“Throughout my whole time at the College, no matter what you wanted to do, what you wanted to know or had questions about, there was always somebody you could go to who would help you and support you.”
Founded in 1853, Monmouth College is a nationally ranked liberal arts college that is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is the birthplace of the women’s fraternity movement. Monmouth College provides a transformative educational experience within a caring community of learners that empowers students to realize their full potential, live meaningful lives, pursue successful careers, and shape their communities and the world through service and leadership.
***Report Courtesy of Duane Bonifer, Monmouth College***
