WASHINGTON — The North American Meat Institute announced the 20 young professionals selected for its 2024 Emerging Leaders Program.
“The Emerging Leader Class of 2024 is a well-rounded, talented group of individuals serving our member companies in a variety of roles from human resources to food safety to operations and more,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and chief executive officer of the Meat Institute. “This is a valuable program for the industry’s next generation but also for our membership at large. Past participants have formed strong relationships with leading industry experts while also expanding their understanding of other aspects of meat processing beyond their field of expertise.”
Sponsored by packaging supplier SEE, the Emerging Leaders Program helps promote future meat and poultry professionals.
Through the program, young leaders will have opportunities to network and receive mentorship from an experienced industry member. The Meat Institute will offer participants exclusive leadership programming and access to the association’s board meetings.
During the program, participants will receive complimentary registration for the Protein PACT conferences, Meat Institute annual events and Meat Institute webinars.
The Meat Institute selects participants based on nominations from the young leaders’ coworkers. The association looks for professionals who demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in the industry, leadership potential and individual initiative.
The Class of 2024 includes:
- Alex Brandt, Certified Group
- Amber Larson, American Foods Group
- Caitlin Hamstra, Birchwood Foods
- Chloe Carson, Smithfield Foods
- Chris Johnson, Kent Quality Foods
- Daniel Guadian, Caviness Beef Packers
- Elizabeth Walls, Fulton Market Group
- Grace Houston, Triumph Foods
- Jeffrey Saxon, FPL Foods, LLC
- John Marihugh, United Producers Inc.
- Joshua Cassar, HACCP Assurance Services
- Molly Miller, Tyson Foods
- Neil Corbin, IQ Foods
- Nick Lahm, Great Plains Beef LLC
- Oliver Hoad, APPI Energy
- Pernesia Nellum, OSI LLC
- Raven Kropf, Teys USA
- Rob Ames, Corbion
- Sid Cunningham, Seaboard Triumph Foods
- Travis Arp, JBS USA
The Meat Institute will accept applications for the 2025 class next fall. Representing over 350 meat and poultry processing companies, the Meat Institute is one of the United States’ oldest and largest meat and poultry associations.
