Pork Leadership Institute welcomes Class of 2026
Pork Leadership Institute is a collaborative effort between the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board to cultivate leaders who will champion the industry and advocate for its continued success.
The National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board are announcing the Class of 2026 for the Pork Leadership Institute, a program designed to equip pork producers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead the industry forward. This year, 19 individuals from across the country have been selected to join the program, representing a diverse group of leaders ready to drive innovation, advocacy and progress within the pork sector.
The Class of 2026:
- Iowa - Ryan Bartachek
- Iowa - Macie Reeb
- Idaho - Rick Roper
- Illinois - Emmalee Haege
- Illinois - Tyler Main
- Indiana - Ethan Baldwin
- Minnesota - Matt Boerboom
- Missouri - Morgan Weinrich
- Mississippi - Donny Ray
- North Carolina - Jennifer Hasty
- North Carolina - Yolanda Castelo
- Nebraska - Austin Zimmerman
- Ohio - Kevin Stuckey
- Ohio - Stacey Voight
- Oklahoma - Suzanne Genova
- Pennsylvania - Kolton Reasy
- South Dakota - Tanya Torguson
- Tennessee - Katie Sherman
- Tennessee - Clay Eastwood
"As we welcome the Class of 2026, it's exciting to see these producers stepping up to lead for their farms, their communities, and the industry," said Bryan Humphreys, NPPC CEO. "The Pork Leadership Institute gives them the tools and know-how to tackle the challenges that really matter-from policy and trade to sharing the story of pork production with neighbors and lawmakers. These graduates are already in the trenches, and this program helps them roll up their sleeves even further to speak up for producers, strengthen their operations, and keep the industry resilient for years to come."
The yearlong PLI program is a comprehensive leadership development initiative featuring five intensive sessions covering critical industry knowledge and advocacy skills. Participants gain insight into federal legislative and regulatory processes, the importance of international trade and the workings of national and state pork organizations. In addition, hands-on media and communications training equips graduates to be confident and effective voices for the industry.
The Pork Leadership Institute is a collaborative effort between NPPC and NPB to cultivate leaders who will champion the industry and advocate for its continued success.
Sources: National Pork Producers Council; National Pork Board
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