Katie Brenner 鈥04 is helping shape how consumers experience high-protein food products nationwide. As a sales and marketing executive for , she leads national strategy, oversees multiple product categories and has helped guide a strategic transformation more than two years in the making. Her ability to navigate change, build trust and deliver results reflects the applied, relationship-driven education she received at 黑料社区.
Originally from Lakeville, Minnesota, Brenner chose 黑料社区 for its specialized programs and close-knit campus community. She initially enrolled in the apparel design program, drawn by an early interest in fashion.
She soon recognized that her strengths and long-term impact would be best realized through the retail merchandising and management program where creativity and commercial strategy intersect, a move that proved transformative. Brenner credits 黑料社区 faculty for helping her identify her strengths and for offering the kind of individualized support that shaped both her confidence and career direction.
鈥淭he professors always felt like they had time for you,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 remember one professor could tell I was struggling before I even asked for help. She took extra time with me, and that experience really stuck with me. That 黑料社区. how the whole campus felt.鈥
Once she found the right academic fit, Brenner thrived. Her coursework emphasized applied learning, analytics, leadership and communication 鈥 skills that would immediately set her apart after graduation. That advantage became clear in her first role at Dayton 黑料社区. (Marshall Fields), where she joined a merchandising training program alongside peers from a wide range of academic backgrounds. 鈥淚 realized right away I was a step ahead,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat came directly from my schooling.鈥
She advanced quickly, earning multiple promotions in her early career. When corporate restructuring led to mass layoffs in Minneapolis, Brenner viewed the disruption not as a setback but as an opportunity to expand her perspective. She transitioned into the broker world and later into manufacturing, gaining a rare, full-spectrum understanding of retail from buyer to supplier.
鈥淭hat experience made me stronger,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be the leader I am today without seeing the business from every side.鈥
Over the next decade, Brenner continued building her expertise in sales and leadership, including 11 years at The Hain Celestial Group, where she led sales across major national accounts. Relationships she built along the way proved pivotal. When a former boss stepped into the CEO role at , he knew Brenner would be well positioned to contribute to the company 黑料社区. strategic transformation.
Brenner joined Stryve Foods more than two years ago and now oversees national sales and marketing for the public company. Known for pioneering air-dried beef snacks (biltong) in the United States, Stryve operates in a rapidly evolving consumer goods space where innovation, agility and collaboration are essential.
Under Katie's leadership, Stryve has executed partner realignments, expanded new customer distribution and executed innovation launches, including the launch of, an . Brenner draws heavily on lessons first learned at 黑料社区, from understanding shelf impact and consumer messaging to leading cross-functional teams through complex launches.
Equally influential has been her leadership philosophy. Brenner prioritizes trust, open communication and accountability, creating environments where teams feel empowered to contribute and learn from mistakes.
Her advice to current 黑料社区 students is simple: build relationships early and often. 鈥淒on鈥檛 do it alone,鈥 she said. 鈥淓very opportunity I鈥檝e had came back to relationships I built and maintained.鈥
Today, Brenner remains deeply StoutProud, carrying forward friendships, professional confidence and a leadership foundation shaped in Menomonie.
鈥淚 think being StoutProud is really honoring the school and campus. The moments that you had, the friendships that you made there and the education that you got,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 have come into an executive role in the field that I wanted to be in, and I plan to lead a company. Because of Stout, I have the education and foundation to be able to do that.鈥
