Meat+Poultry - February 2022 - 8

COMMENTARY
Challenging the status quo
Angie Krieger is the vice president
of operations for the National Pork
Board. Collette Kaster is the chief
executive officer of the American Meat
Science Association. And, Cathy East
is the vice president of procurement
for Albertsons Cos.
Each of these women plays an
important role in the meat company
or association where she works
- roles that for many years were
predominantly held by men. They are
inspirations, mentors and leaders to
the women they work with, as well as
to women new to the industry.
What else do all these women have
in common? They are all founding
board members of the newly formed
Women's Meat Industry Network
(WMIN), an organization with the
mission, " To make achieving the
powerful benefits of gender diversity
a shared goal in the meat and
poultry industries. "
Recognizing that the meat and
poultry processing and production
industry has always been mostly
male-dominated, a group of women in
industry and academia came together
to discuss and address this imbalance
in order to improve professional
development and career opportunities
for women throughout the industry.
" Women are of tremendous value
to any workplace. However, in the
meat and poultry industry, various
barriers can slow progress
and limit opportunities
for women, resulting
in women leaving the
industry when talent
retention is essential, " said
KatieRose McCullough,
treasurer of the WMIN.
The organization will offer
mentoring, professional development
and networking opportunities to
women throughout the industry
- from entry-level to C-suite in a
variety of industry jobs from sales,
operations, food safety, academia
and management. The network
promises to " challenge the status quo
to create opportunities for diverse
talents and perspectives that help our
industry thrive. "
" To make
achieving the
powerful benefits of
gender diversity a
shared goal... "
develop and evolve into the best you,
which is also best for the industry. "
The newly formed organization
is led by a board of directors
of 13 women and is inviting
individuals who share in
WMIN's vision and mission
to find out more and join
(membership for 2022 will
be free for all).
While the organization is
referred to as a women's network,
Some of the many benefits WMIN
promises its members include
inspiration and encouragement,
belonging and optimism for the future.
* Inspiration and encouragement
- " A spark of excitement and a
'glimmer in the eye' from women in the
meat and poultry industries. "
* Belonging - " Whether female or
male, knowing inclusion and respect is
above all else - for both an intelligent
purpose and a business advantage. "
* Optimism for the future - " And
a belief in one's ability to lead, inspire,
it wasn't developed to leave people out,
rather to give women the industry a
louder voice. WMIN is quick to mention
its membership is not exclusive to
women, but " open to anyone with an
interest in promoting WMIN's values. "
So, whether you're new to the industry
or a veteran, regardless of gender,
consider supporting the Women's Meat
Industry Network (www.wmin.org).
I have been involved with the
meat industry for more than 20 years
and it's encouraging to see more
women in leadership roles helping
to shape the changing industry.
Diversity throughout meat and poultry
companies will only benefit our work,
the companies we work for and the
products that are developed to feed
the world. One day, a Women's Meat
Industry Network won't be necessary,
but for now let's work together to
improve the balance in our industry to
the benefit of us all.
KIMBERLIE CLYMA | kclyma@sosland.com
" Women are of tremendous value to any
workplace. However, in the meat and poultry
industry, various barriers can slow progress
and limit opportunities for women, resulting
in women leaving the industry when talent
retention is essential. "
- KATIEROSE MCCULLOUGH
8 MEAT+POULTRY | 02.22 | www.meatpoultry.com
http://www.meatpoultry.com
Meat+Poultry - February 2022

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