As a longtime leader in the protein industry, Raven is in the perfect position to drive Teys USA into its next phase of growth in the U.S. We recently caught up with her for this month’s 5 Questions.

1.) Tell us a little bit about your background and what interested you about the industry early in your career.  

I grew up on a small farm in Kentucky and, having been active in the FFA, always knew that I wanted to work in agriculture. I began my career in the beef industry with Cargill straight out of college as a sales trainee in Schuyler, NE, and I immediately liked the fast pace and variety of opportunities in the field.

2.) Can you describe a mentor you had that most influenced your career?

Midway through my career at Cargill, I had the privilege to work for a truly “Level 5 Leader.” It was a turning point for me, shifting my focus from executing as an individual contributor to learning how to lead and influence. I saw her build and grow a high-performing team with empathy and intention, effectively manage stakeholders, and bring thought leadership to the business. She influenced how I approach and solve problems and manage people—she is still a mentor today!

3.) What gives you hope for the future about the meat industry, and what are the one or two things we should be on the watch for as potential challenges?

I am so optimistic about the future of the meat industry because of the people who have chosen to make this their career. There are strong and talented individuals stepping into leadership roles in both the meat supplier and customer communities right now. They have their pulse on consumer and industry trends and lean into the future rather than resisting change or disruption.

Potential challenges that the meat industry will face are retaining current talent and attracting new talent. These individuals have skills that are highly transferable to other industries.

Another challenge will be keeping pace with the speed of change. The meat industry is global and dynamic, so agility and responsiveness to market and consumer shifts are critical.

4.) How do you see the role of AI and technology impacting our industry as its reach continues to widen?

I think that it will be far-reaching and impact all parts of our business from farm to fork. But AI and technology on their own are not impactful—it is how people use these tools to solve real problems that will make the difference. Ultimately, it will be a disrupter to our industry. And those who lean into it early on and find ways to use it to amplify their business will have a competitive edge.

5.) We saw an increasingly diverse group of attendees at this year’s Meat Conference.  What can the industry do to attract and retain the best people as we compete for top talent?

I loved seeing the diversity of the attendees at the Meat Conference this year. It’s much more reflective of our consumer base than it’s been in years’ past. Attracting and retaining the best people is a real issue—high performers have highly transferable skills that any industry will want. As an industry, we have to get creative with how we grow and develop top talent. People will stay loyal to an industry that gives them growth opportunities, a strong network, and a positive work environment.

Okay, bonus question…
6.) Which cut of beef is your favorite, and how do you like it prepared?

I love beef flap meat because it’s so versatile. My favorite way to cook it is to use a simple lemon-herb-garlic marinade, grill it, and serve it sliced over a rice bowl with chimichurri.

Stay tuned for our 5 Questions series of interviews.

Due to popular demand, DecisionNext offers an ongoing series of interviews every month. We’ll catch up with influential leaders, movers, and shakers to get the pulse on the latest in the industry.

Know someone you’d like us to interview next? 

Reach out and send your suggestions to info@decisionnext.com.