Emerging Leaders Program
Class of 2026
Participants
Alex Floyd
Lopez-Dorada Foods
Amy Smith
Advanced Economic Solutions
Anne Hurtado
FMG Global
Brian Brozovic
empirical foods
Caleb Hurst
S&P Global
Corey Balentine
Neogen
Dakota Lovett
American Foods Group, LLC
Dave Griffin
Chomps
Haily Mulcahy
Fortrex
Jackie Eager
Darden Restaurants
Jennifer Shriver
Fresh Mark, Inc.
Jessica Maus
Cryovac
Kelsey Sindelar
Jones Dairy Farm
Koren Custer
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Kylie Schuller
Teys USA
Leah Howard
Honey Baked Ham Company
Mara Steinitz
Catelli Brothers Family of Foods
Mark Seyfert
Taco Bell, a Yum! Brands Company
Michael Yeater
Albertsons Companies
Ramon Espinoza
Corbion
Rebecca Smith
Maple Leaf Foods
Sarah Menard
Kayem Foods, Inc.
Steve Reinhardt
WINPAK
William Newlin
OSI Group, LLC
About
The Meat Institute is committed to cultivating the next generation of leaders for the meat industry. Leadership is an essential component of our industry, and the Emerging Leaders Program provides a select group of leaders with year-long programming designed to empower and elevate their leadership skills, build connections and community within the industry, and learn how to advocate on the issues important for the Meat Institute
Program Goals and Details
This program prepares participants to be leaders in our industry with the knowledge and understanding they need, at both the industry level and operational level, to champion continuous improvement within their own organizations and the industry at large.
Selected individuals will participate in a year-long curated experience, focusing on three major goals:
- Develop and enhance leadership skills
- Network and build relationships
- Advocate for the industry
Members of the Emerging Leaders Program will learn to become leaders of their business and champions of Protein PACT and the meat industry. Participants will have unique opportunities to reach the outlined program goals with a full year of exclusive programming designed around the following pillars:
Empower and Elevate Leadership Skills
- Participants will come to Washington, DC and for high-level leadership training with the George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon
- Develop and elevate their leadership skills and create their own paths for achievement
- Enhance Leadership capacity and effectiveness.
- Maximize productivity, overall wellbeing, greater awareness of strengths of self
Build Relationships and Leverage Network
- Partner with an industry leader mentor to provide coaching, guidance and support.
- Opportunities to connect with leaders throughout the year at industry events
Advocate for the Industry
- Learn to advocate on behalf of the meat industry with specialized training
- Put the training to practice with trip to Washington, D.C. and meetings wtih Congressional Members and staff to speak directly to lawmakers.
A Future Vision…
The Meat Institute and leaders across animal protein are uniting in the largest-ever effort to strengthen animal protein’s contributions to healthy people, healthy animals, healthy communities, and a healthy environment through the Protein PACT for People, Animals and the Climate of Tomorrow. Our vision is to better align the industry with consumer, customer and investor expectations and drive future success of our member businesses.
The Emerging Leaders Program, introduced in 2022, applies this vision to future industry executives, and is designed to guide and prepare mid to senior level meat industry professionals ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. This unique program convenes classes of Meat Institute members for a multi-faceted, year-long curriculum centered around elevating leadership skills, building relationships, and advocating for the core pillars of Meat Institute’s Protein PACT, which are, animal welfare, environmental impact, food safety, health and wellness, and labor and human rights.
Empowering and Elevating Diversity
This program is also an opportunity to strengthen our commitment to empowering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the meat industry by expanding access to development opportunities and elevating diverse perspectives and backgrounds – ensuring our industry is well-positioned for a successful future.
