A reflection from Tia Glave, Catalyst Co-Founder

The food industry is at a crossroads.

With shrinking labor pools, rising costs, and constant pressure to do more with less, 2026 isn’t going to reward survival-mode leadership.

It will demand something better.

Food leaders who create trust on purpose. Who think beyond their own to-do lists. Who build cultures where people and performance grow together.

That kind of leadership doesn’t just happen.  It happens through leadership systems that...

A reflection from Jill Stuber, Catalyst Co-Founder

One of the most memorable pieces of feedback I ever received from a team member?

“Just respond to my email.”

At first, I was confused.
I’d asked for a deliverable, they sent it, I used it. In my mind, that was efficient. Why add another email to their inbox with a “Thanks”?

But that wasn’t the point.

What felt efficient to me felt ungrateful to them.
And that moment — small as it was — became one of the biggest leadership lessons I’ve ever ...

Somewhere along the way, “invest in your top performers” became the go-to leadership strategy.

And on the surface? It makes sense.
They’re already delivering. They’ve got potential.
But here’s what most leaders don’t realize:

When you over-index on a few, you undercut your culture.

⚠️ When growth becomes exclusive, so does impact

Most orgs build around their top 10–15%—those seen as “ready now.”
They pour in coaching, exposure, stretch projects. And it works... until it doesn’t.

Because while ...

A reflection from Tia Glave, Catalyst Food Leaders

I didn’t have to unlearn control—I never led that way.

My childhood friends would tell you I’ve always had a flair for connecting with others and appreciating their uniqueness.  I am genuinely curious about people.  I strived to create an environment where each person can show up as themselves - even if it’s on the playground.

In my career, I leaned into this strength. I knew that teams work best when they feel connected, and I saw myself as ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

At Catalyst, we believe the future of leadership in the food industry depends on developing passionate, people-first leaders who are ready to step beyond their technical expertise and drive meaningful impact. That’s why we created the Emerging Leader Program—to ignite the potential of professionals who are ready to grow, influence, and inspire.

This program isn’t just about leadership development; it’s about transformation. Our Emerging Leaders gain the skills to build strong, people-centered c...

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Angela Anandappa, CEO of the Alliance for Advanced Sanitation, to the show! With over two decades of experience in the food industry and a Ph.D. in Food Microbiology, Angela has built a remarkable career solving complex challenges in food safety, quality, and innovation. In this episode, Angela will share her journey from researcher to leader, offering insights into how evolving leadership skills are essential for driving meaningful success in today’s ever-changing ...

In this episode of Real Talk with Jill & Tia, we’re exposing The Most Disturbing Mistakes Leaders Make When Promoting People 🚨. From choosing the wrong criteria to overlooking potential, these mistakes can have a major impact on team morale, performance, and culture. Join us to explore the hidden pitfalls leaders often fall into and learn how to elevate your promotion practices to set your team up for success. 🏆👥 Don’t miss this conversation packed with insights and actionable tips to level up y...

🌟Join us for this week's episode of "Real Talk with Jill & Tia," where we dive into the power of action with our show titled "It's Time to Do Something." This discussion is all about taking decisive steps toward the changes you want to see in your life, your career, and your industry. 

💡Whether it's pushing past complacency, embracing challenges, or giving 100% to your goals, this episode will inspire you to stop waiting and start doing. It's time to stop talking about change and start makin...