Meat and Poultry Industry Leaders Launch New Women’s Meat Industry Network; Heidi Buske Comments

Our industry is one of innovation and representation. So it stands that I’m excited to learn a new organization was created to educate, develop, promote, and retain women working in the industry. Meat and poultry industry leaders from all sectors have come together to create the Women’s Meat Industry Network (WMIN).

“I am very proud to be in the company of a distinguished and talented group of women working in the meat and poultry industry who want to share their knowledge with other women pursuing careers in our fields,” said Heidi Buske, Chair of WMIN. “I look forward to WMIN providing a more formal support system that will expand and strengthen the participation of women in our industry.”

Recognizing that meat and poultry production and related businesses are typically male-dominated, a group of women in industry and academia agreed to work together to address this disparity and to improve professional development and career opportunities for women.

All those interested to join are welcome. According to the release, the organization is comprised of members at all stages of their careers from entry-level to C-suite and in all types of jobs such as sales, operations, food safety, management, and more. WMIN members will benefit through mentoring, professional development, and networking opportunities. Membership is not exclusive to women; the organization is open to anyone with an interest in promoting WMIN’s values.

Currently, WMIN’s Board of Directors includes:

• Angie Krieger, Vice President, Operations, National Pork Board
• Carol L. Lorenzen, Professor and Department Head, Oregon State University
• Casey M. Owens, Ph.D., Professor, Poultry Processing and Products, University of Arkansas
• Cathy East, Vice President of Procurement, Albertsons Companies
• Cheyenne McEndaffer, Director, Export Services/Access, U.S. Meat Export Federation
• Collette Kaster, Chief Executive Officer, American Meat Science Association
• Heidi Buske, Strategic Portfolio Lead – North America Protein, Cargill
• Jess Pryles, Owner, Hardcore Carnivore
• KatieRose McCullough, Ph.D., MPH, Director, Science and Public Health, North American Meat Institute
• Kay Stinson, Vice President of Human Resources and Employee Communications, Seaboard Foods
• Meredith Strickland, Senior Director of Finance and Accounting, Tyson Foods
• Natosha Walsh, Senior Vice President of Sales – CPS Division, Hormel Foods
• Wendy Pinkerton, Head of Industry Relations, Zoetis

WMIN is thankful for the sponsorship by American Foods Group, Cargill, Pork Checkoff, Clemens Food Group, Seaboard Foods, and the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The nonprofit organization will hold its first in-person networking event at the International Production and Processing Expo on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

Exciting events are afoot! Follow Deli Market News as we report on new opportunities rising.