John Deere Hit with Suit Alleging Gender Pay and Retaliation

A former John Deere Foundation vice president has filed a federal lawsuit alleging gender-based pay discrimination and retaliation by Deere & Company and a senior leader, according to local reporting and federal court records.

The plaintiff, Laura Eberlin, worked at Deere for about 24 years and held the role of John Deere Foundation vice president, according to the complaint and other media coverage.

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois and names Deere & Company and Mara Downing as defendants. Downing describes herself as the vice president for Global Brand Management and Corporate Communications.

Eberlin alleges that after the foundation president resigned in March 2024, she took on many of the top responsibilities but did not receive a comparable pay increase, and that her efforts to seek pay adjustments later led to changes in reporting structure and what she describes as a diminished role and hostile environment.

She resigned in November 2024, later attempted to withdraw that resignation, and says Deere declined.

The complaint also includes a retaliation claim tied to Eberlin’s next job, alleging Deere contacts with her new employer, the University of Iowa, intended to limit her involvement in Deere-related work.

According to ABC-affiliate WOI in Iowa, Deere and Downing have denied the allegations in filings and public statements reported by local outlets.

Court records show the case is in the early stages, with discovery deadlines extending into 2026 and a jury trial currently scheduled for January 2027.

»Related: Laid-off John Deere employees explore options for lawsuit