In today’s food production environments, culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. From food safety to employee retention, an empowered culture influences every layer of operations. When frontline employees feel valued and leaders are equipped to support growth, the entire organization benefits. But creating that kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intention, alignment, and daily practice.

In this post, we’ll explore how food manufacturers can build an empower...

We all know food safety matters. But knowing isn’t the issue. The issue is how we lead.

Across the food industry, leaders are doubling down on protocols, procedures, and audits—yet food safety culture still struggles to move forward. Why?

Because we’re focusing on compliance, not commitment.

Compliance is about rules, checklists, and documentation. Necessary? Yes. Sufficient? Absolutely not.
Commitment is different. It’s personal. It’s what drives someone to speak up when they see something o...

How do you keep showing up as the leader you want to be—week after week, meeting after meeting? In this episode of Real Talk with Jill & Tia, we explore strategies for maintaining momentum in your leadership growth.  It takes more than just good intentions—it requires rhythm, reinforcement, and reflection. 

Whether you're fresh out of Catalyst’s Technical Leader Bootcamp, leading a plant floor team, or guiding strategy in a corporate setting, leadership growth isn’t a one-time event—it’s a prac...

Sometimes what looks like “improvement” is really avoidance in disguise. In this week’s Real Talk with Jill & Tia, we’re naming 3 common ways leadership quietly takes a backseat—masked by process changes, shiny tools, or CI initiatives. These approaches can be helpful, but when they replace courageous leadership instead of enabling it, teams start to feel the disconnect. We’ll explore what it looks like when people sidestep leadership, how to spot it, and what to do instead. Whether you're a lea...

We’re still riding the energy wave from Catalyst’s Leadership Summit—and we’ve got stories to share! On this week’s Real Talk with Jill & Tia, we’re giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to bring the event to life, plus the powerful insights and takeaways that emerged. From standout sessions to unexpected moments, we’ll share what we heard, what we learned, and what surprised us most. You’ll also get a peek at participant feedback and what’s next on the horizon for Catalyst. Whethe...

The countdown is on for Catalyst Food Leader’s Leadership Summit focusing on Advancing Everyday Leaders, Driving Extraordinary Results!

This week on Real Talk with Jill & Tia, we’re pulling back the curtain to share behind-the-scenes insights on how this event came together and why it’s a game-changer for food industry leaders. From designing impactful sessions to curating expert speakers, we’ll highlight key takeaways and what attendees can expect. Plus, we’ll share tips to help you maximize ...

Lately, it feels like uncertainty is everywhere. DEI programs are being rolled back, immigration enforcement is creating fear in communities, and for many people, the future feels shaky at best. You may not see it outright, but people around you—your colleagues, team members, even friends—are carrying a lot right now.

As leaders, we can’t control everything happening in the world, but we can control how we show up. And in times like these, small moments of kindness and connection matter more th...

What does it take to become the best version of yourself—both personally and professionally? This week on Real Talk with Jill & Tia, we’re joined by Steve Sorenson of Johnsonville, who believes that growth happens through experiences, mentorship, and intentional choices. He’ll challenge us to think about how we spend each day of our lives and what we’re truly working toward. Learning alone isn’t enough—success comes from application. Join us as we explore how to take ownership of our growth, dev...

Foodborne pathogens are a massive global issue, and current testing methods aren't keeping up. But what if AI could change the game? This week on Real Talk with Jill & Tia, we’re joined by Matthew Theurer (THER) of Hyperspectral, who’s bringing a fresh perspective on how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing food safety. By combining AI with spectroscopy—an age-old technology—Hyperspectral is making pathogen detection faster, more accurate, and cost-effective. We’ll dive into the scale of t...

I remember sitting through multiple years of strategic planning sessions at my former company in the food industry. Three days in a conference room, filled with PowerPoint decks, financial projections, and passionate debates about the next 1–3 years.

The same priorities always emerged: drive up sales and drive down costs.

Leadership teams came armed with game plans—increase operational efficiencies, reduce supplier and ingredient costs, and introduce new products. We’d map out timelines, budge...

Working in the food industry isn’t just about protocols—it’s about people, culture, and leadership. This week on Real Talk with Jill & Tia, we’re joined by Elena Montoya, a passionate leader who has rebuilt food safety and sanitation foundations for multiple brands. From navigating the shift “from high heels to steel toes” to coaching teams on the why behind food safety, Elena knows what it takes to create lasting impact. 

We’ll dive into how training, teaching, and leadership can transform com...

At Catalyst Food Leaders, we believe that leadership is about more than just skills—it’s about impact. That’s why we are proud to support Black Professionals in Food Safety & Quality, a professional group founded by our co-founder, Tia, to create a much-needed space for Black professionals in this critical industry.

Why This Group Exists

Food safety and quality are essential to public health and business success, yet representation in this field has long lacked diversity. Black professionals o...