Program Benefits

Emerging Leaders Program

Mentorship Program

Participants will be partnered with an industry mentor to help guide them throughout the year. The mentors provide guidance and support to an Emerging Leader based on their unique developmental needs and share experiences they’ve learned from.

Meat Institute Emerging Leaders - Jenine And Steve

Meat Institute Emerging Leaders - Adriana And Barb

Advocacy Trip to Washington, D.C.

Participants will come to Washington, DC for high-level leadership training with the George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon.

Additionally, participants will receive specialized training on how to advocate on behalf of the meat industry before participating in several meetings with Members of Congress and Legislative Staff on Capitol Hill.

Virtual Training and Workshops

Specialized virtual workshops and trainings are offered throughout the year exclusively for members of the Meat Institute Emerging Leaders Program. These workshops are focused on the top issues leaders are facing in the meat industry. Examples include:

  • Leadership Skills for Success
    • Curated programing focusing on core skills needed for rising leaders in today’s meat processing industry
    • Media Training
  • Subject Matter Expertise
    • Meat Institute Operational Conferences
    • Culture Index Session
    • Advancing Equity in Food & Agriculture
  • Advocacy: Industry Hot Topics
    • Protein PACT Update

Events and Industry Education

Participants will receive complimentary registration for the annual Meat Institute operational conferences, the Meat Institute Protein PACT Summit, the Annual Meat Conference, and Meat Institute hosted webinars. Special programming is arranged during these events especially for members of the Meat Institute Emerging Leaders Program. 

Testimonials

"I found the Meat Institute Emerging Leaders program a unique opportunity to build relationships with success-driven individuals within the meat industry, as well as gain knowledge and leadership insights to champion sustainability efforts and continuous improvement within my organization. This program has taught me to be more open to taking risks and pushing myself to try new things."

Jessica Finck, PhD, Class of 2022

"Being a part of the Emerging Leaders Program allowed me to expand my involvement in Meat Institute while promoting and protecting the meat industry through the Protein PACT. The program pulls together quite an assortment of career backgrounds; it’s not just for people in quality/food safety, procurement, harvesting, etc. I enjoyed discussing common topics and seeing how they affect different areas of the industry. This has contributed to a more global picture of the meat industry for me. Being a part of the ground floor of the Protein PACT has also provided new learning opportunities for me to explore and understand better within my own company."

Therese Borneman, Class of 2022

"I am forever grateful for being selected into the inaugural class of Emerging Leaders. This remarkable program brought together dynamic meat industry leaders, newcomers, and seasoned veterans. Together with our Mentors, we fostered motivation while working towards our long-term goals. Emerging Leaders gave us a platform where we can rely on each other to further advance the people, animals, and climate of tomorrow."

Janeen Butterfield, Class of 2022