Jill’s Reflections

There was a time when I was constantly dealing with foreign material incidents.

One would happen, we’d react fast, fix it, and keep moving. Then another one would hit. Different line. Different shift. Different source. But the same pattern.

We were exhausted.

At the time, I chalked it up to the chaos of production, the reality of complex supply chains, or the limits of our detection systems. What I didn’t see then—but I do now—is that we had built a culture of tolerance. W...

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 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 ...

You’ve read the values.
You’ve held the meetings.
You’ve sent the memo.

And yet—things still feel stuck.  The culture isn’t shifting the way you hoped.

If that’s familiar, you’re not alone. Many food industry leaders are pushing hard to improve safety, quality, and collaboration. But the results aren’t matching the effort. So what’s missing?

The Core Truth: Culture Doesn’t Change Unless Leaders Do

Culture is built—quietly and consistently—through daily behavior.  That means when we want to ...

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...

🌟 Join us for the next episode of "Real Talk with Jill & Tia" as we explore how to truly operationalize leadership skills to boost your team's capabilities and improve culture. Too often, leadership development is limited to training sessions, but real growth happens through the art of continued practice and reflection. This show will challenge you to think beyond traditional training and embrace the continuous journey to embody human-centric leadership.

💡 We’ll discuss why increasing leadershi...

🌟 Tune in to the next episode of "Real Talk with Jill & Tia" as we welcome special guest Joshua Miller for an insightful discussion titled "Is Technology the Solution to Food Safety?" Dive into the cutting-edge technologies and software that are revolutionizing food safety procedures and explore their impact on the industry.

💡 Joshua will guide us through the various tools available, highlighting the benefits and potential drawbacks of integrating these technologies into your food safety protoc...

🌟 On this episode of "Real Talk with Jill & Tia", we delve into the art of forming better relationships with your employees, featuring our special guest, Sam Peña. Discover the strategies and insights that can help cultivate a positive and productive work environment within the food and beverage industry.

💡 Sam brings a unique blend of expertise and practical wisdom to the discussion, offering actionable tips and approaches for building trust, fostering communication, and enhancing collaboratio...

🌟 Get ready for an inspiring episode of "Real Talk Food Safety with Jill & Tia" as we delve into the essential topic of food safety leadership in business with our esteemed guest, Gillian Kelleher.  Gillian brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, offering invaluable insights and practical strategies for navigating the complexities of food safety leadership in today's business landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding leader, this episode promises to provide...

🎓 Join us for an enriching episode of "Real Talk Food Safety with Jill & Tia" as we explore the vital roles of mentors, sponsors, advisors, and coaches in the professional journey of technical professionals in the food and beverage industry. Discover how these guiding figures can offer invaluable support, insights, and opportunities for growth, shaping the trajectory of careers and fostering success.

🌟 Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of this dynamic discussion. Tune in, comment, an...