Meat Institute, FMI Announce 2026 Leaders of Tomorrow

Feb 26, 2026

Honorees to Be Recognized at the 2026 Annual Meat Conference

WASHINGTON, DC – The Meat Institute and FMI – The Food Industry Association today proudly announced the 2026 Leaders of Tomorrow, a distinguished group of 10 rising professionals whose work reflects the strength and future of the industry.

Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts said, “This Leaders of Tomorrow class represents the depth of talent and leadership growing our industry. Each of these professionals is making a meaningful impact within their organizations while strengthening the broader meat and food supply chain and we are so grateful for their contributions.”

FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin said, “People are the key ingredient in the food industry’s recipe for success, and this program highlights the very best talent cooking up a more resilient, responsible, and tasty tomorrow. Their passion and professionalism give us great confidence in a well-seasoned future for the retail meat industry.”

The 2026 Leaders of Tomorrow are:
  • Kyle Bardel, Sales Manager, Marcus Food Company
  • Joe Brawne, Senior Director of Procurement, Thomas Foods International USA
  • Scott Cassel, Southeast Regional Sales Manager, Kayem Foods
  • Eric McCormick, Senior Account Manager, Meat and Seafood, UNFI
  • Will McDoniel, Meat and Seafood Category Manager, Harps Food Stores
  • Shannon Permenter, Freight and Distribution Manager, Teys USA
  • Emma Pierce, Senior Brand Manager, Seaboard Foods
  • Rachael Wagner, Sustainability Risk Management Project Manager, Eocene Environmental Group
  • Chandler Webb, Manager of Customer Insights – Walmart, Tyson Foods
  • Maegan Willis-Balliet, Brand Marketing Manager, Rastelli Foods Group
The 2026 class will be recognized during the opening keynote session of the Annual Meat Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Monday, March 2, 2026, which will take place from about 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. ET.

Sponsored by Amcor, the Leaders of Tomorrow award honors professionals who are already delivering measurable results within their organizations while demonstrating a strong commitment to the industry’s long-term success.

The winners receive complimentary registration to the Annual Meat Conference – where they will experience comprehensive educational programming that details the latest developments in meat retailing and consumer trends and will be partnered with a professional industry mentor to guide them during the Conference.

Launched in 2019, this award is jointly presented by FMI and the Meat Institute as part of their broader commitment to workforce and leadership development. Through initiatives such as FMI’s Future Leaders Program and the Meat Institute’s Emerging Leaders Program, both organizations invest year-round in preparing the next generation of executives across the meat and food supply chain.

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About the Meat Institute
The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute’s hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. Learn more at MeatInstitute.org.

About FMI

As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and more efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a wide range of members across the value chain — from retailers that sell to consumers, to producers that supply food and other products, as well as the wide variety of companies providing critical services — to amplify the collective work of the industry. www.FMI.org