The Human Ingredient: Why Leadership [Not AI] is the Secret to Resilient Food Safety Culture
January 27, 2026
In a new era for Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, we are thrilled to welcome back Katy Jones, CEO of Trustwell, as our host. She kicks off her first episode back by sitting down with Jill Stuber and Tia Glave, cofounders of Catalyst Food Leaders. Together, they explore why human-centred leadership and emotional intelligence are the ultimate competitive edges in an increasingly AI-driven industry. Drawing on their personal journeys from technical subject matter expertise to transformational leadership, Jill and Tia discuss how connecting people to purpose, rather than relying solely on checklists, drives a resilient food safety culture and lasting organizational results. They also delve into the unique strengths women bring to the field, providing actionable insights on building intentional leadership systems that prioritize employee well-being, protect the bottom line, and navigate the high-pressure demands of modern food safety and compliance.
Trustwell reConnect On-Demand is here! 🖥️
If you work in the food industry, you know that staying ahead of regulations is a constant battle. That’s where Trustwell reCONNECT On-Demand comes in.
We recently hosted our annual virtual summit, bringing together hundreds of industry experts to discuss the future of food safety, traceability, and compliance. Now, you can access the entire library of sessions, featuring actionable insights from brands like Taco John's and Wawa, focusing on everything from FSMA 204 compliance to quality management and supply chain resilience.
Don't miss out on the strategies you need to lead your team. Access the complete reCONNECT On-Demand library for free by visiting: trustwell.com/reconnect
In a new era for Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, we are thrilled to welcome back Katy Jones, CEO of Trustwell, as our host. She returns for a second spell in the chair after launching the podcast back in 2024. She kicks off her first episode back by sitting down with Jill Stuber and Tia Glave, cofounders of Catalyst Food Leaders, to challenge the traditional "checklist" approach to food safety. They argue that while technical subject-matter expertise is essential, the root of most operational failures lies in broken communication, a lack of trust, and an absent sense of belonging. By shifting the focus from technical problem-solving to people-centered leadership, organizations can build teams that remain resilient even when facing staffing shortages or economic turbulence. Jill and Tia share how leaders must model the values they expect through visible, daily actions rather than relying on slogans or generic training programs.
The discussion highlights the unique strengths women bring to the food industry, particularly their natural instincts for systems thinking and community building. Jill, a chemical engineer with a background at General Mills, and Tia, who grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, combine their deep operational knowledge to help leaders balance business results with genuine care. They explore why employee well-being must become a structural priority embedded into communication patterns and resource allocation. Instead of sporadic gestures, authentic leadership involves making people-first decisions that protect the team’s mental and emotional bandwidth during high-pressure compliance cycles.
As we look toward the industry landscape of 2026, Jill and Tia emphasize that emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ultimate differentiator in an AI-driven world. While technology can optimize processes, it cannot replicate the genuine human connection or the sense of purpose that keeps employees engaged. Organizations that invest in leader development now will gain a significant competitive advantage, navigating future tariffs and supply chain shifts with a level of stability that unprepared companies will struggle to match. This episode provides a practical roadmap for FSQ professionals who want to lead with authenticity, improve retention, and ensure their business thrives through the next wave of industry disruption.
Trustwell reConnect On-Demand is here! 🖥️
If you work in the food industry, you know that staying ahead of regulations is a constant battle. That’s where Trustwell reCONNECT On-Demand comes in.
We recently hosted our annual virtual summit, bringing together hundreds of industry experts to discuss the future of food safety, traceability, and compliance. Now, you can access the entire library of sessions, featuring actionable insights from brands like Taco John's and Wawa, focusing on everything from FSMA 204 compliance to quality management and supply chain resilience.
Don't miss out on the strategies you need to lead your team. Access the complete reCONNECT On-Demand library for free by visiting: trustwell.com/reconnect
Connect with the team:
👉 Katy Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyjonespr/
👉 Trustwell: https://www.trustwell.com/
👉 Jill Stuber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-stuber/
👉 Tia Glave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiaglave/
👉 Catalyst Food Leaders Website: https://www.catalystfoodleaders.com/
You can also listen to our podcast here:
👉 Apple - https://apple.co/47afWXM
👉 Spotify - https://bit.ly/4lIA1KP
👉 YouTube - https://bit.ly/3YpdUQW
👉 Fame Host - https://foodtechtalk.co
The discussion highlights the unique strengths women bring to the food industry, particularly their natural instincts for systems thinking and community building. Jill, a chemical engineer with a background at General Mills, and Tia, who grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, combine their deep operational knowledge to help leaders balance business results with genuine care. They explore why employee well-being must become a structural priority embedded into communication patterns and resource allocation. Instead of sporadic gestures, authentic leadership involves making people-first decisions that protect the team’s mental and emotional bandwidth during high-pressure compliance cycles.
As we look toward the industry landscape of 2026, Jill and Tia emphasize that emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ultimate differentiator in an AI-driven world. While technology can optimize processes, it cannot replicate the genuine human connection or the sense of purpose that keeps employees engaged. Organizations that invest in leader development now will gain a significant competitive advantage, navigating future tariffs and supply chain shifts with a level of stability that unprepared companies will struggle to match. This episode provides a practical roadmap for FSQ professionals who want to lead with authenticity, improve retention, and ensure their business thrives through the next wave of industry disruption.
Trustwell reConnect On-Demand is here! 🖥️
If you work in the food industry, you know that staying ahead of regulations is a constant battle. That’s where Trustwell reCONNECT On-Demand comes in.
We recently hosted our annual virtual summit, bringing together hundreds of industry experts to discuss the future of food safety, traceability, and compliance. Now, you can access the entire library of sessions, featuring actionable insights from brands like Taco John's and Wawa, focusing on everything from FSMA 204 compliance to quality management and supply chain resilience.
Don't miss out on the strategies you need to lead your team. Access the complete reCONNECT On-Demand library for free by visiting: trustwell.com/reconnect
Connect with the team:
👉 Katy Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyjonespr/
👉 Trustwell: https://www.trustwell.com/
👉 Jill Stuber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-stuber/
👉 Tia Glave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiaglave/
👉 Catalyst Food Leaders Website: https://www.catalystfoodleaders.com/
You can also listen to our podcast here:
👉 Apple - https://apple.co/47afWXM
👉 Spotify - https://bit.ly/4lIA1KP
👉 YouTube - https://bit.ly/3YpdUQW
👉 Fame Host - https://foodtechtalk.co
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