Kathy Wood, a third-generation co-owner of Christensen Ranch, has dedicated her career to preserving and evolving her family’s ranching legacy. Alongside her cousin, she transitioned the operation from traditional cattle feeding to a vertically integrated business, raising their own cattle and focusing on high-quality genetics. In 2017, they launched their branded beef business, shipping home-raised, frozen beef directly to consumers across all 50 states and Canada. Success has come from their ability to adapt to customer needs—introducing smaller beef boxes for families, then later reintroducing larger sizes as buying habits shifted. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has been the foundation of their growth.

Kathy’s path to ranching wasn’t conventional—she initially pursued a career in biochemistry and microbiology before returning to the family ranch for a better quality of life. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she faced challenges but earned respect through hard work and expertise. She encourages young people to embrace all aspects of their education, particularly business and accounting skills, which have been invaluable in running the ranch. Kathy credits her family’s generations of dedication for providing the foundation that allows Christensen Ranch to thrive today.