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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 10TH EDITION
Who are your mentors and how have they assisted you in your career? I have had a number of mentors over the years that have provided guidance to me in my career by showing both great professional behavior and also what not to do. Sometimes poor role models can be just as important to one’s career development.
SIDNEY JORDAN
Trans-Ocean Products Inc. Years with company: 12 Current position: Labeling & Vendor Compliance Manager
Education degrees, professional/volunteer organizations: BS, MS, Food Science & Technology, Oregon State University Certified Food Scientist Member of IFT (Institute of Food Technologists)
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? Do you have a defining moment of your career to date?
The Griffin Report of the Northeast
February 2015
Advice for upcoming younger executives:
Who are your mentors and how have they assisted you in your career?
Take opportunities to try new things at your place of employment. Don’t be afraid to volunteer for a committee or task that may not be in your comfort zone. These experiences will help you grow as an individual, both personally and professionally.
Hobbies: Reading, crafts and gardening.
JENNY KARL
New England Dairy Promotion Board
I am most proud of being a part of business teams that have been successful in achieving company goals and financial success.
Years with company: Eight Current position: VP of Marketing and Communications
Most challenging part of your job?
Education degrees, professional/volunteer organizations:
Although enjoyable, I have always found that working with a diverse group of people to be the most challenging part of my job. To be successful, one has to find the best way to relate to those who work for you, those you work with and those you work for.
BS, Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign MS, Nutrition Communication, Tufts University Registered Dietitian Board Member, Massachusetts Dietetic Association
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I’ve had informal mentors who have helped me think through job changes and challenges. Three pieces of advice have stuck with me: • Look beyond the conventional dietitian career path and pursue your passion. • Seek out opportunities to diversify experiences and your contacts. Always sit with someone you don’t know. • The only way to grow is to test yourself and take on roles that force you to be uncomfortable and stretch. You don’t know what you can do unless you just go for it.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? Do you have a defining moment of your career to date?
CHERYL KENNICK City of Hope
Years with company: 19 Current position: Senior Di-
rector of Corporate Philanthropy
Education degrees, professional/volunteer organizations: Pasadena City College USC Executive Program
Who are your mentors and how have they assisted you in your career? Carole Christianson, COO, Western Association Food Chains
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Most challenging part of your job? Dealing with families struggling with life-threatening diseases.
Advice for upcoming younger executives: Treat others, all others, with kindness and respect. Be yourself. Do the right things
Finding the right work/life boundaries to create a more productive and sustainable way of managing work and home life.
Advice for upcoming younger executives: Follow your passion. Don’t be afraid to take risks and ask for what you want.
Hobbies: Gardening, hiking and home improvement projects.
I N D U S T R Y
Who are your mentors and how have they assisted you in your career?
for the right reasons. Try not to let little things bother you. Remember the only person you can change is you. Be trustworthy.
Hobbies: Horseback riding, gardening, riding my bike with my yellow lab Gigi, spinning classes, cooking and entertaining family and friends.
Most challenging part of your job?
I am most proud of the communications trainings I’ve done with over 200 dairy farmers in New England. I recall reading the newspaper a week after one of my trainings and saw one
Up; Director of Christian Education; Sunday School teacher
Kevin Davis, Bristol Farms Paul Christianson, Christianson West LLC Sue Klug, Unified Grocers Lillian Zacky, Zacky Farms Dick Spezzano, Spezzano Consulting Co. Marty Craner, B&C Fresh Sales Jan DeLyser, California Avocado Commission Jerry Scorsatto, Vons Grocery Co. Susan Scorsatto, Lands Coffee Co. Celica Martinez, Vons Grocery Co. (retired)
of my participants quoted so eloquently. I didn’t fully appreciate the impact I was having until that moment. It’s such an honor to train such hard-working people and to be recommended to other groups as a “go-to” resource. It has opened doors to opportunities for myself and my company that I would have never known existed.
VERONICA “RONNIE” KING, SPHR
Blount Fine Foods Years with company: 16 Current position: Senior Director of Human Resources
Education degrees, professional/volunteer organizations: Attending Bryant University, Smithfield R.I. Organizations/Volunteer work: SHRM, NEEBC Member of SouthCoast Hospital Business Council for many years, serving as co-chair raising more than $25,000 for the new Cancer Center; mentor with Year
I have had a number of mentors over the year. John Shankey, controller, and Janet Osborn, plant manager with Cape Cod Potato Chips were both pivotal in my career development as I went from line worker to logistics manager, believing in my ability in a male-dominated field, to encouraging my growth as a leader in the Eagle Snacks organization.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? Do you have a defining moment of your career to date? Transitioning from director of logistics with Blount to senior director of human resources. Coming from operations provided a deeper understanding of the needs of the management team and employees. The challenges came in the form of the ever-evolving legalities associated with human resources, requiring continued education. My defining career moment came in my first position as a
waitress at Friendly’s many years ago. The manager put a challenge out for the summer that anyone who sold a platter combo would receive a dollar. There were $36 dollars given out that summer and I earned $34. At that first position I learned that hard work and a positive attitude are rewarded.
Most challenging part of your job? Change management, as the company has grown from 100 to 350 employees. This growth challenges our management team’s continued efforts with employee engagement and maintaining connection with the team.
Advice for upcoming younger executives: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48b. As one climbs the corporate ladder, remember your responsibilities to the employees in your organization, winning as a team.
1/20/15 11:38 AM