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

ALL ABOUT OUR KICK-ASS
WOMEN IN FOOD 2016
Trisha Anderson
Patricia Hauser
Jeannine Sacco
Sandy Toney
Trisha 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.
Kelly Austin
Patricia has a rich history of research and development
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 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 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 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.
Angie Bastian
Angie 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.
Roxi Beck
Roxi 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.
Jill Litwin
Jill 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!
Gale Myers
Gale 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.
Cindy Rhodes
Cindy 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.
Jeannene Schaffnit
Jeannene 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.
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.
Traci Takacs
Traci is a true pioneer in botanical wellness and
nutrition. She researches and produces botanical
powders according to high ethical standards, using allnatural,
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.
Shazi Visram
Shazi’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.
Darcy Zbinovec
Darcy is the CEO of Among Friends, a brand of glutenfree
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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