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In partnership with CBD Marketing’s Kick-Ass Women™ movement and Putman Media, Food Processing is proud to present Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women in Food.

At Food Processing, we define a Kick-Ass Woman as someone who isn’t afraid to be powerful, push harder and blaze trails—in the food industry and beyond. She looks at the world differently and unapologetically. And she isn’t afraid to shake things up.

Of course, there are multitudes of Kick-Ass Women in Food. So, to find the cream of the crop, we asked professionals in the food and beverage industry to nominate colleagues, mentors and leaders who they believe embody the criteria above and much more.

Bon appetit!

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• Is a respected leader

• Has accomplished something that has moved the whole industry forward

• Fosters the growth of other women in the industry

• Demonstrates thought leadership

A KICK-ASS WOMAN IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY…

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Food Processing’s 2016 Kick-Ass Women in the Food and Beverage IndustryMeet the 15 truly Kick-Ass Women who are sharing their wisdom with us.

Trisha AndersonPresident and Owner

Frontier Soups

Jill LitwinFounder and

Chief Executive OfficerPeas of Mind

Gale MyersTechnical Support Manager

Sensient Food Colors

Cindy RhodesChief Executive Officer

and OwnerCape Cod Select®

Premium Cranberries

Jeannene SchaffnitPlant Manager

Pinnacle Foods, Inc.

Kantha Shelke, Ph.D.

Food Scientist and PrincipalCorvus Blue LLC

Traci TakacsFounder

Federal Ingredients

Sandy ToneyVice President, Corporate

Quality and Product Development

Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.

Shazi VisramFounder and Chief Executive Officer

Happy Family Brands

Darcy ZbinovecChief Executive Officer

Among Friends Baking Mixes

Kelly AustinVice President,

Strategic AccountsClasen Quality Coatings, Inc.

Angie BastianCofounder and Owner

Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP

Roxi BeckVice President

CMA Consulting Services

Patricia HauserVice President,

Global Beverage Development Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.

Jeannine SaccoChief Food Officer

Grainful

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Question 1:

What is your professional mantra?

Question 2:

What are the most valuable lessons you have learned throughout your career?

Question 3:

What advice would you offer to young women entering the food and beverage industry?

QUESTIONS

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Make it meaningful. We each have control over how we spend our time and energy. I think it is empowering to realize that and make the most of everything.

Shazi VisramFounder and Chief Executive OfficerHappy Family Brands

My professional mantra is short and sweet: Expect great things from yourself and others—nothing less. In my career and my current role leading beverage development at Keurig Green Mountain, I’ve found that the path to success is through a clever, collaborative and, of course, kick-ass team. We work hard to constantly bring people the beverages they crave at the touch of a button—and that takes a powerhouse of diverse, driven dynamos to make it happen every day. When it comes down to it, behind every kick-ass woman is a kick-ass team.

Patricia HauserVice President, Global Beverage DevelopmentKeurig Green Mountain, Inc.

Work hard, don’t make excuses, appreciate others and always seek to learn and understand—success will follow.

Kelly AustinVice President, Strategic AccountsClasen Quality Coatings, Inc.

“You attract what you generate.” If you exude enthusiasm, adopt a positive attitude toward people, welcome differing perspectives, delight in new challenges and unreservedly share information and accolades, you’ll develop a strong team and accomplish amazing things. Nothing fosters failure like viewing people as problems, perceiving differing opinions as insubordination, or relinquishing personal ownership by blaming others. Even through the darkest times, when it is easy to become negative, I mindfully assume positive intent, unless proven otherwise. I embrace challenges as opportunities and differences in thinking as the magic needed to find creative solutions.

Jeannene Schaffnit Plant Manager, Pinnacle Foods Being passionate about

what I do for a living is what gets me out of bed every day. My dad always said, “If you don’t love what you do or no longer are passionate about what you are doing, you need to make a change.” It isn’t helpful to anyone if you stay where you are and are miserable at the same time. Love what you do, because even on the hard days you find something to smile about.

Jeannine Sacco Chief Food Officer, Grainful

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My tenacity is a trait I’m really proud of in my professional life. By being persistent and not giving up at the first “no,” I’ve turned countless seemingly unlikely situations into a “yes.” It is an especially important quality as a small business owner and a woman in the food industry, because too often we accept arbitrary terms or unfavorable contracts when we’re up against larger corporations. My tenacity enables me to fight for fairness and stand up for my business when facing major challenges.

I’m a fair and nice person and want to do business with other like-minded people to form mutually beneficial relationships. Building strong relationships that will weather everything from supply chain meltdowns to simple mistakes is no easy task. I’ve learned that no low price is worth doing business with someone who doesn’t take accountability or believe in your business when the chips are down. In the end, business comes down to relationships. It is important to work with people you can count on to make things right.

Jill Litwin Founder and Chief Executive OfficerPeas of Mind

I don’t think in terms of failure. Life has a funny way of giving you what you need. I tell my kids, “Never overlook an opportunity for greatness.” Failure is opportunity in disguise.

One Friday night in my Lightlife Foods tenure, the plant manager called at 11 p.m. to tell me our new facility was in flames. The fire started on the loading dock and had spread to storage. Though typically stoic, my plant manager was emotional. I said, “No one’s hurt. We can’t go to emotion. We need to motivate the team, lay out our plan, pressure-check it and then get going.”

It definitely improved the team; we were much stronger as a group for having gone through that. That was the biggest business-building change. Three weeks later, we were up and running again.

Darcy Zbinovec Chief Executive Officer Among Friends Baking Mixes

One of my mentors for the past seven years has a saying that I will never forget, and I always share it with others: There are three decisions you can make, and only one of them is the wrong decision every time.

1. Making the right decision. 2. Making the wrong decision.3. NOT making a decision at all.

When you make the wrong decision, as long as you are able to acknowledge it, learn from it and never make it twice, you will persevere.

BUT when you choose NOT to make a decision, you can’t move forward, things stop and ultimately you will fail. Never choose to not make a decision.

Jeannine Sacco Chief Food Officer, Grainful

Learn to communicate clearly and concisely. Say what you mean. Be strategic by keeping good company. The food industry badly needs the leadership of women in its service to humanity.

Kantha Shelke, Ph.D.Food Scientist and PrincipalCorvus Blue LLC

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MOST VALUAB L E

LESSO N

A lesson I learned early on was that everyone has their own priorities and expectations and that will drive their actions. Realize that no one cares about your priorities as much as you do. This can apply to simple tasks on your to-do list, a project at work, your career path or your values. This is simply a fact of life. Know what is important to you and make it happen. Own the outcome.

Kelly Austin Vice President, Strategic AccountsClasen Quality Coatings, Inc.

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“It’ll never happen!” This was a phrase I encountered when I first came up with the concept of making cranberries available to consumers year-round. My idea to offer frozen cranberries in retail outlets was met with skepticism by many in the industry, but that single phrase drove me to make my dream a reality.

That being said, my advice to young women entering the food/beverage industry is to believe in yourself and be passionate in whatever you do. Walt Disney said, “When you believe a thing, believe it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.” So, always believe in yourself and in your ability to accomplish whatever you set your mind to.

Cindy Rhodes Chief Executive Officer and OwnerCape Cod Select® Premium Cranberries

Find your strengths and set goals. Whether you have small dreams or soaring expectations, setting goals gives you a clear understanding of your pathway to business success. Goals give you long-term vision and short-term motivation. Never burn bridges behind you. Everything you say or do might affect your future. For women in the business world, there are always going to be struggles and tests of our willpower, but with a positive mind-set we can become more driven.

Have an open mind, believe in yourself and have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Speak your mind, be confident in your decisions and don’t back down. Do not dwell on failure; you need to forgive others as well as yourself in order to achieve your goals in life. Never forget the people who have helped you along the way and always reach for the moon, for even if you fail you are still among the stars.

Sandy Toney Vice President, Corporate Quality and Product DevelopmentMasters Gallery Foods, Inc.

Believe in yourself. Work harder than everyone else and overcome challenges. Business is not rocket science, and even if it were, you can build a rocket if you need to. Make it happen.

Shazi Visram Founder and Chief Executive OfficerHappy Family Brands

Master the core fundamentals of your work. Being authoritative and authentic makes you truly trusted and respected. Use your knowledge and skills to do the right thing instead of just doing right. Make no apologies for doing what’s right.

Kantha Shelke, Ph.D.Food Scientist and PrincipalCorvus Blue LLC

Ten years ago, I wish I’d known how rewarding it would be to embrace the role of mentor to young people entering the industry. Steering your way through the sometimes-challenging waters of any industry requires guidance from more seasoned team members. We all need to realize this is not a competition but rather a journey that requires teamwork. My advice: If you are a young person starting your career, seek out a mentor and accept their guidance and tutoring. If you are a seasoned professional, embrace the role of mentor and enjoy the rewards it offers.

Gale MyersTechnical Support ManagerSensient Food Colors

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Follow your passion. That is what you are naturally good at, what you will do nonstop and continue to build for the rest of your life. Entrepreneurship is a marriage with yourself. You agree to keep going full speed ahead even when things get tough. It is a partnership, an agreement between mind and action, that you will succeed come hell or high water because you are in love with a product, idea or concept that makes money. Of course, passion without sense is a tragic combination. But I assume you are probably sharper and have more intestinal fortitude than the average gal—or else you would not be here reading this today.

Traci Takacs Founder Federal Ingredients

Let’s help each other be successful. Find a way to support, mentor and encourage women to exercise their ambition in our organizations. We must model and normalize female leadership. We need to believe that each person on our team can be extraordinary, and treat each other with respect and appreciation. We must remember we are all in different phases of our personal and professional development, and there is no perfect way to achieve success. Lastly, purchase products and support brands that celebrate the dimensionality of women.

Angie Bastian Cofounder and OwnerAngie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP

What was a practical way to supplement my family’s income while taking advantage of my experience in cooking and catering? Develop a product—not necessarily a “genius” product—but certainly one that had sufficient overall demand. Next, find a market to provide a sales platform for that product. I worked my “market,” in this case Holiday Bazaars, to very nice initial success. I then applied this practical experience to each of my product’s next stages of growth. When starting out, look for practical solutions to the obstacles in front of you. It doesn’t exactly sound like “follow your dreams,” but it might end up taking you to a better place.

Trisha Anderson President and OwnerFrontier Soups

Be confident in what you know you are good at. Don’t be afraid to have an opinion and speak your mind, even if you stand out from everyone else.It isn’t about saying what other people want to hear; it’s about offering other options and giving them different points of view that will make people listen and persuade their decisions.

Jeannine Sacco Chief Food OfficerGrainful

Balance isn’t “all things equal.” Life is saturated! The hardest part is being willing to embrace the craziness while managing priorities. Sometimes, “balance” means focusing all my energy on my child’s birthday one evening and leaving well before the next day’s dawn to make a business presentation. Having an incredible partner who’s supportive and encouraging is also key to my success. Follow your passion and rely on your values as a guide. It can be an incredible feat to get everything done that is required and desired, but it will be worth it. Throughout your journey, be humble—but confident—and never be afraid to ask questions.

Roxi Beck Vice PresidentCMA Consulting Services

For more information, please contact:

Erin Hallstrom, Director of Digital Content, Food Processingehallstrom@putman.net | 630-467-1301 ext. 456

(Continued)

ALL ABOUT OUR KICK-ASS WOMEN IN FOOD 2016

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Roxi BeckRoxi is dedicated to supplying her clients with the tools they need to succeed as Vice President at CMA Consulting Services. She joined other thought leaders at CMA in order to help people in the food industry solve challenges and apply strategy in new ways. She is passionate about good nutrition and maintaining an active lifestyle, both in her work and as a mother of two.

Cindy RhodesCindy and her husband launched Cape Cod Select, a retail brand of frozen cranberries, in an effort to make cranberries a fruit for all seasons. She is committed to educating consumers on the health benefits of cranberries and to being a premier supplier of healthy frozen fruit products.

Traci TakacsTraci is a true pioneer in botanical wellness and nutrition. She researches and produces botanical powders according to high ethical standards, using all-natural, minimally processed ingredients. As founder of the brain trust consultancy Federal Ingredients, she is relied on as a trusted advisor for many female entrepreneurs and small business owners in the restaurant and wellness fields.

Trisha AndersonTrisha built her business on the delicious, hearty soup recipes she grew up loving. She has maintained and expanded Frontier Soups for more than three decades, and now sells 36 varieties—all with geographic names—across 2,000 stores nationwide.

Patricia HauserPatricia has a rich history of research and develop-ment success across several Fortune 100 consumer product companies. As Vice President of Global Beverage Development at at Keurig Green Mountain, she is a strong leader who excels in interpreting and integrating consumer research across all phases of product development.

Jeannine SaccoJeannine developed the first-ever frozen entrée made with savory steel-cut oats and clean ingredients. Soon after, Grainful was born and steel-cut oats for dinner became Jeannine’s mission. She is dedicated to creating flavorful frozen entrées and side dishes with clean ingredients and has served as a mentor for many young women in the industry.

Sandy ToneySandy has spent her entire career in the industry—specializing in food quality. Currently, she oversees the Q.A. of all dairy products at Masters Gallery Foods. Holding herself and the company to rigorous and demanding standards, she ensures that the products that come in and go out are of the highest quality. She was also the first female judge selected to wear the coveted “red hat” at the World Championship Cheese Contest.Kelly Austin

Kelly is always looking for new ways to deliver unique ideas, flavors, and solutions to the marketplace. With more than 21 years of experience in the food industry across multiple food systems, she is an expert at driving innovation, quality improvements and productivity within Clasen Quality Coatings, Inc. and for their customers.

Jill LitwinJill had a light-bulb moment years ago—and that bright insight was Peas of Mind. She watched her friends battle at mealtime with their kids and she recalls that it was always over eating vegetables! Peas of Mind reinvents the foods that kids love (like pizza and fries) by making a nutritious version filled with servings of veggies. Now that Jill has her own child, her business has come full circle and she truly understands the importance of Peas of Mind and its products!

Jeannene SchaffnitJeannene has been in food manufacturing since she was 18 years old, starting her career at a donut plant during summers between college semesters. She has been a plant manager for 12 years and with Pinnacle Foods for two and a half years.

Shazi VisramShazi’s “Aha! Moment” came when she was listening to a busy friend lament about the lack of healthy baby food options. This sparked an idea that became Happy Family Organics. Shazi’s mission for her business is not only to positively impact the health of children (including her own young son), but to also give back to those who are in need—which is evident through her commitment to nourishing lives worldwide and supporting sustainable solutions.

Angie BastianAngie is the co-founder of Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP, which she started with her husband Dan in 2001. What began as a college fund nest egg and a way to teach their children the value and integrity of work has grown into one of the fastest growing natural popcorn brands in the country. It’s also sold in all 50 states.

Gale MyersGale is a color expert at Sensient Food Colors, specializing in the use of food coloring in confections and pet food. She has been published many times over and gives speeches for multiple esteemed organizations on topics such as food color psychology and marketing trends.

Kantha Shelke, Ph.D.Kantha is an authority on food history and food science. As Principal at Corvus Blue LLC., she applies her deep expertise in chemistry, food technology and nutrition to discover, create and test new formulations. She has shared her findings on television, radio and in print publications, in addition to being a sought-after speaker at multiple food conferences.

Darcy ZbinovecDarcy is the CEO of Among Friends, a brand of gluten-free baking mixes that uses only non-GMO ingredients and healthy whole grains. She is dedicated to making it easier for people to make fresh treats for the people they love…treats that are “full of the GOOD stuff and FREE of the BAD stuff.”®

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A huge thank-you to all of the Kick-Ass Women in the Food and Beverage industry who graciously shared

their wisdom, and to all of those who nominated these outstanding leaders. We hope our readers feel inspired,

empowered—and ready to take on the world!

Know a Kick-Ass Woman in the industry who deserves to be recognized? Nominations for the 2017 edition of Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women in Food to open later this year!

Special thanks to:

Photography by Erin Fioretti

Kick-Ass Women is a registered trademark of Colman, Brohan & Davis, Inc.