The Drop In CEO

In this episode, Jill Hoffman, Senior Director of Food Safety and Quality at B&G Foods, and Jacqueline Southee, North American representative for the FSSC 22000 Foundation, discuss their respective career journeys, challenges women face in the food safety industry, and the critical importance of networking and mentorship. Jill and Jacqueline emphasize the need for proper education in food safety, the development of cultural impact at all organizational levels, and the advocacy for a better understanding of ISO management systems in the U.S. This episode delves into the empowering community of Women in Food Safety, exploring opportunities for future initiatives and the importance of engaging young professionals in the field. Episode Highlights: 02:49 Jill Hoffman's Career Journey in Food Safety 05:10 Jacqueline Southee's Diverse Background and Career Shift 08:31 The Importance of Networking and Mentorship 20:53 Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Food Safety 28:01 Expanding the Women in Food Safety Community Jill is currently the Senior Director of Food Safety and Quality at B&G Foods. Before moving over to B&G, Jill was previously the Director of Global Food Safety and Quality Systems at McCormick & Co., Inc. Over her career she has worked across numerous product categories in various functions to include Food Safety and Quality, Operations, and Continuous Improvement. Jill has had the opportunity to engage and speak in various forums across the globe on topics such as supply chain integrity and food fraud and has contributed to various publications on these topics. Jill has a passion for transforming the quality and food safety functions through continuous improvement, digital enablement, and data analytics. She sees an abundance of opportunities to create efficiency and insights by greater adoption within food companies. Jill holds a B.S. in Food Science from Virginia Tech and a Masters in Food Safety from Michigan State. Connect with Jill:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-hoffman-853a9a12/ Jacqueline Southee is the North American Representative for Foundation FSSC 22000, the owner of the globally recognized GFSI benchmarked food safety certification system, FSSC 22000, and the new FSSC 24000 certification for Social Management Systems. Based in Washington DC, Jacqueline works with the public and private sector to build a broader understanding of how accredited FSSC 22000 certification and the ISO management system approach can contribute to global harmonization, forge international compliance and help industry achieve the UN sustainability goals. A native of the UK Jacqueline is a “seasoned” player with a PhD in Animal Science from he University of Nottingham and a background in international business development. [email protected] Connect with Jacqueline: Company Website: www.fssc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinesoutheebruner/ For more insights: Book a call: https://bit.ly/4cToGDs Follow me on my YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/47GgMdn Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3T09kVc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Melody Ge shares her career journey from R&D director to advocating for food safety and the founding of Women in Food Safety, a community aimed at bridging the gap between academia and industry while supporting female leadership. Highlighting the soft skills necessary for higher positions in food safety, Melody emphasizes confidence, adaptability, and continuous learning. The episode explores the challenges and opportunities within the food safety sector, the impact of the Women in Food Safety community, and the importance of curiosity and staying updated with evolving industry standards. Episode Highlights: 04:42 Founding Women in Food Safety 08:15 Empowering Women in Food Safety 11:24 The Importance of Soft Skills in Leadership 22:57 Adapting to Change in the Food Safety Industry Melody Ge is the Sr. Director of Operations Quality at TreeHouse Foods Inc., driving a culture of safety and quality across manufacturing facilities. With 15+ years of expertise in food safety, quality, and social responsibility, she has held key roles with GFSI CPOs, retailers, manufacturers, and testing labs. A Six-Sigma Black Belt, PCQI Lead Instructor, and SQF Trainer, Melody’s leadership spans StarKist, Neogen Analytics, Lidl US, SQFI, and Beyond Meat. She holds an M.S. and B.S. in Food Science and Engineering and certification in Data Science, blending technical expertise with innovative solutions to champion smarter food safety practices. Connect with Melody: Company Website: www.womeninfoods.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melody-ge-54116717/ For more insights: Book a call: https://bit.ly/4cToGDs Follow me on my YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/47GgMdn Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3T09kVc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Tony Ulwick shares his career journey from IBM engineer to innovation expert, discussing his groundbreaking methodologies that focus on understanding customer needs to drive successful innovations. Tony shares practical examples and insights on how companies can avoid innovation pitfalls, leverage AI effectively, and achieve significant market success. The conversation emphasizes the importance of being outcome-driven and offers guidance for product leaders and innovators. Episode Highlights: 02:33 Tony's Journey: From IBM to Innovation Expert 04:47 Understanding Customer Needs and Innovation 07:38 The Importance of Job Maps in Innovation 34:33 The Role of AI in Innovation Tony is the pioneer of Jobs-to-be-Done Theory, the inventor of the Outcome-Driven Innovation® (ODI) process, and the founder of strategy and innovation consulting firm Strategyn. Tony has applied his ODI process at some of the world’s leading companies and across nearly all industries to inform breakthrough innovations—achieving a success rate that is 5 times better than the industry average. Philip Kotler calls Tony “the Deming of innovation” and credits him with bringing predictability to innovation. Published in Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review, Tony is also the author of best sellers What Customers Want and JOBS TO BE DONE: Theory to Practice. Connect with Tony: Company Website: Strategyn.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyulwick/ For more insights: Book a call: https://bit.ly/4cToGDs Follow me on my YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/47GgMdn Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3T09kVc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dima Ghawi discusses her inspiring journey from a suppressed Middle Eastern upbringing to becoming a global influencer, coach, and leadership consultant. Dima shares her early life lessons about perfection from her grandmother, her escape from an abusive marriage, and her ascent in the corporate world spurred by supportive leaders. They delve into themes like overcoming life's limitations, enhancing workplace cultures, DEI initiatives, and the crucial role of authentic leadership. The discussion covers practical strategies for leaders to foster environments where employees feel valued, understood, and motivated to break their own barriers. Episode Highlights: 04:46 Breaking Free: Dima's Escape and New Beginnings 06:06 The Role of Leadership in Personal Growth 13:22 Dima's Professional Journey and DEI Initiatives 20:46 Creating Healthy Work Cultures Dima Ghawi is a globally recognized leadership expert and award-winning author dedicated to empowering individuals to break barriers and become courageous, purpose-driven leaders. With Middle Eastern roots, an American heart, and a global perspective, her journey spans continents and cultures, inspiring personal and professional transformation. Drawing on two decades of corporate leadership with Fortune 100 companies like IBM, Merrill Lynch, and Intuit, Dima specializes in cultivating inclusive corporate cultures and developing leaders for the global workforce. Her memoir, Breaking Vases, has earned multiple accolades, including the Writer’s Digest Grand Prize. Dima’s impactful work has been honored with prestigious awards such as the IWEC Award, Mosaic Champion Award, and President’s Bronze Volunteer Service Award. Through keynotes, workshops, and executive coaching, she ignites potential, advocates for inclusivity, and empowers diverse voices in corporate and community spaces. Connect with Dima: Company Websites: https://www.dimaghawi.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dima.ghawi/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimaghawi/ For more insights: Book a call: https://bit.ly/4cToGDs Follow me on my YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/47GgMdn Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3T09kVcSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.