Women's Meat Industry Network (WMIN)

Congratulations to the 11 WMIN members selected for the Meat Institute’s 2027 Emerging Leaders Program! The 24-member class kicked off the yearlong program at the Meat Institute’s Solutions Summit in New Orleans this month. Participants were selected for their commitment to continuous improvement, demonstrated leadership potential and initiative within their companies and the industry. We’re proud to recognize these WMIN members: Kerri Boling McGee, Hormel Foods Shenoa French, American Foods Group Crystal Fussell, Cargill Amanda Kubinsky, PHR, SHRM-CP, Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Eileen Kunaschk, Birchwood Foods Pranita Patil, FPL Food LLC Mysti Richardson, Sealed Air Corporation Amanda Smart, Safe Foods a Division of Fortrex Katie Smith, John Soules Foods Chandler Steele, JBT Marel Kathy Swedlund, OSI Group Congratulations to everyone in the Class of 2027! It’s also wonderful to see seven WMIN sponsor companies represented across the cohort: American Foods Group, Cargill, FPL Food, Fortrex, OSI Group, Sealed Air/CRYOVAC® Brand Food Packaging and Teys USA. Meet the full class: https://lnkd.in/gsjadf_w #WMIN #MeatIndustry #EmergingLeaders #WMINMakingMoves #Leadership

Exactly! Thanks Pam Marrone

Congratulations to Raven McMaine Kropf, the 2026 Most Impactful WMIN of the Year! 🎉 Raven, president of Teys USA, received the honor today during the WMIN luncheon at the Meat Institute’s Solutions Summit in New Orleans. Throughout her 25 years in the meat industry, Raven has challenged traditional approaches, encouraged innovation, and created an environment where every voice is valued. She is especially committed to helping women grow, contribute, and lead. Her impact extends beyond Teys USA through her service on the Meat Institute Board of Directors, participation in Vistage, volunteer work with 4-H, and mentorship through WMIN and Emerging Leaders programs. Raven demonstrates what it means to challenge the status quo while creating opportunities for others along the way. Please join us in congratulating Raven on this well-deserved recognition! #WMIN #MeatIndustry #WMINMakingMoves #Leadership #Award

WMIN members, mark your calendars! Join us Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 1 p.m. ET for our Annual Member Meeting as we celebrate WMIN’s highlights and achievements from 2026, review our annual member survey and look ahead to what’s coming in 2027. Members will also have the opportunity to vote to approve WMIN’s new slate of Board members and officers. And there’s even more to look forward to in the new year: WMIN turns five in January 2027! We’re excited to celebrate five years of connection, growth and impact, and the more than 2,000 members who have helped build our thriving community. Register for the Annual Member Meeting: https://lnkd.in/gMt_eKVa

Are you headed to NOLA for the Solutions Summit? Don't forget your pin! Don't have one yet? We know our Executive Director will have a supply so keep an eye out for SKKB.

Meet Alexandra Tancredi, our fifth and final finalist for the 2026 Most Impactful WMIN of the Year Award! Alex is Director, Customer Experience at Clemens Food Group and has spent 11 years building her career in the meat industry. Known for challenging assumptions and bringing clarity to complex issues, she turns thoughtful discussion into action while encouraging others to find their voice. Through her leadership as president of Clemens Food Group’s Network of Women (NOW) and her involvement with WMIN, Alex supports women through mentoring, recruiting, leadership development and partnerships with local schools, creating opportunities for current professionals and the next generation of industry leaders. Congratulations to Alex on being named a finalist! With all five finalists now introduced, our next announcement will be the winner. WMIN members and Solutions Summit attendees are invited to join us as we honor the finalists and announce the 2026 Most Impactful WMIN of the Year: 📅 Thursday, October 8 ⏰ 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. 📍 Crescent City Ballroom at The Roosevelt New Orleans Can’t join us in New Orleans? Stay tuned in to WMIN’s website and our LinkedIn page to find out who is the 2026 Most Impactful WMIN of the Year. #WMIN #MeatIndustry #WMINMakingMoves #SolutionsSummit

#WMINMakingMoves Take a listen to American Meat Science Association (AMSA) President Elect and WMIN member Dr. Anna Dilger talk pork quality, genetics and carnies. Thanks to the MeatsPad team and host Phil Bass.

Meet Nichole Sargent, a finalist for the 2026 Most Impactful WMIN of the Year Award! Nichole is co-owner of Southpaw Packing Company Inc. and has spent nine years making an impact in the meat industry, including by bringing greater attention to mental health. As the founder of Slicing Through the Stigma, Nichole has created resources and a platform specifically for members of the meat industry. Her work helps open conversations about mental health and encourages people to seek support without fear of judgment. Nichole extends that commitment through her support of NAMI Maine, participation in the Maine Heritage Industries Working Group and service within her local community. Her advocacy is helping create an industry in which people feel better supported both personally and professionally. All five finalists will be recognized at the Meat Institute’s Solutions Summit in New Orleans, where one will be named the 2026 Most Impactful WMIN of the Year. Stay tuned to meet the last finalist! #WMIN #MeatIndustry #WMINMakingMoves #Award

What happens when being underestimated becomes an opportunity to exceed expectations? For Niman Ranch’s Drea Starch, a career rooted in animal welfare and science has also reinforced the importance of relationships, purpose and the people who help you along the way. “You can have the best product, the best data, the best pitch, and still lose if the relationship isn’t there,” Drea says. “But if it is, you can weather almost anything.” A founding member of WMIN, member of our Board of Directors and former chair of the WMIN Mentoring Program, Drea has experienced both the opportunities and challenges that come with being a woman in leadership in the meat industry. Her perspective on being underestimated? “It creates a certain freedom to blow the roof off, rewrite the narrative, and exceed expectations.” In the latest edition of Hear Her Story, Drea shares how she built a career at the intersection of animal welfare and science, why genuine relationships matter, and what continues to make the work worth it. Read Drea’s story: https://lnkd.in/g6X3Vfu5 #WMIN #HearHerStory #MeatIndustry #WMINMakingMoves

#WMINMakingMoves Susan Backus with the Meat Institute on stage Women in Agribusiness talking Consumer Trends Reshaping Agriculture