WASHINGTON — The Meat Institute announced the 24 meat industry professionals selected for its 2024 Emerging Leaders Program.

“The Emerging Leaders Class of 2025 – our largest-ever class – is an incredibly well-rounded and talented group that stood out in a highly competitive applicant pool,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and chief executive officer of the Meat Institute. “This valuable program continues to guide the industry’s next generation and help them form strong relationships with leading industry experts while also expanding their understanding of the industry as a whole.” 

Sponsored by Cryovac Brand Food Packaging, the Emerging Leaders Program helps promote and develop future leaders in the meat and poultry space.

Participants in the Emerging Leaders Program receive complimentary access to networking events, exclusive leadership programming — including an advocacy trip to Washington, DC, — a personal industry mentor to guide them, and access to Meat Institute board meetings to gain a better understanding of broad industry initiatives and priorities.

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 2025 includes: 

  •       Armida Vasallo, Rose Meat Services Inc. 
  •       Benjamin Stellmacher, Johnsonville Sausage 
  •       Brooke Kitting, Seaboard Foods 
  •       Chevise Thomas, FPL Food LLC 
  •       Christina Hemmingway, Fair Oaks Foods LLC 
  •       Clarissa Harris, Tuskegee University 
  •       Duane Eichenlaub, Nicholas Meat LLC 
  •       Jamie Hodge, Gourmet Ranch 
  •       Jeffrey Wyrick, Caviness Beef Packers 
  •       Julia Nichol, Fulton Market Group 
  •       Kathleen Long, Maple Leaf Foods Inc. 
  •       Kelsey Bruno-Bayliff, American Humane  
  •       Kelsey Stearns, Harris Ranch Beef 
  •       Kevin Coburn, S&P Global 
  •       Kyla Betts, Jones Dairy Farm 
  •       Manuel Guadian, CS Beef Packers 
  •       Matt Thomas, Tyson Foods Inc. 
  •       Paula Schwarz, FlexXray LLC 
  •       Robert Stewart, Lumachain LLC 
  •       Sandy Adams Hildebrand, JBS USA 
  •       Shanna Motl, Marcus Food Company 
  •       Sheena McLaughlin, Amcor Flexibles North America 
  •       Stacy Elmore, Teys USA 
  •       Tim Alberts, Kemin Food Technologies 

The announcement of the class of 2025 coincides with the graduation of the Class of 2024, who participated in the program’s year-long agenda. The Emerging Leaders Program will accept applications for the 2026 class next summer.