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As a leader, watching someone on your team grow into their next opportunity can feel like a double-edged sword: pride in their progress paired with the sting of loss. You want to be the kind of leader who champions careers. However, when that growth means leaving the team, it can get complicated.

How do you strike the right balance? 

How do you mentor someone without micromanaging their path or worse, stalling it?

Here are a few tips for mentoring and encouraging upward or outward mobility, from someone who has moved for career advancements personally.

1. Normalize Career Growth — Even if It Means Leaving
If your team only hears praise for loyalty and longevity, they’ll feel torn when ambition pulls them elsewhere. Set a tone early that career progression is expected and supported both inside and outside your organization. Be focused on helping your team grow, even if one day that growth takes them beyond your team and organization.

When people know you care about them beyond their current role, they’re more likely to bring you into the conversation early, not at the resignation letter stage.

2. Shift From Ownership to Stewardship
It’s easy to feel possessive of top talent, especially if you’ve invested time and energy in their success. But strong leaders don’t own people, they steward their growth. Make sure you are not holding onto talent because they are essential, and you are uncomfortable with change. Be proud to see them thrive somewhere else.

3. Build Development into the Everyday
Don’t wait for someone to express a desire to leave to start talking about development. Regularly check in with team members on skills they want to develop, experiences they’re curious about, and roles they envision long-term. Regardless of if they stay, the investment pays off in motivation and a feeling that they matter to the team and organization.

4. Celebrate Wins with Grace
When someone lands a new opportunity, fight the urge to make it personal. Reinforce how proud you are of them, how they have earned the new opportunity and how grateful you are for everything they contributed to the team. That moment of grace will define how people remember your leadership.

5. Create a Legacy Culture
When people leave, help them shape their legacy. Have them document their knowledge, mentor others, or reflect on what they learned. Let them know their time mattered and contributions made a difference. Make sure the team hears you and sees you championing growth for those that stay and those that go. 

People don’t just talk about how you managed them, they talk about how you supported their next move. Be the kind of leader they thank in LinkedIn posts, job interviews, and years down the road. In the end, your legacy as a leader isn’t how many people stay under you, it’s how many grow because of you.

Securing large-scale projects in any industry is never a solo effort—it’s a team sport. As the saying goes, “Success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.” This rings especially true when the stakes are high. To win big, it takes collaboration across various conditions and stakeholders: state and local leadership, a pro-business environment, supportive communities, utility partners, a dynamic innovation ecosystem, and a highly skilled workforce.

While measurable business incentives—such as tax breaks, infrastructure support, and access to capital—are often top of mind when companies evaluate location options, it’s the intangible factors that make all the difference for long-term success. These are the elements that can’t easily be quantified but are critical to ensuring a project’s sustainability and growth over time.

One of the most significant intangibles is how well a project aligns with the region’s economic development strategy. A successful project isn’t about financial incentives alone. It’s about how it fits into a broader vision for the region’s growth and development. When regions invest strategically in industries, they create fertile ground for policy, innovation, workforce development, and the kind of collaborative ecosystem that drives sustained success.

In the case of the KC Animal Health Corridor, this kind of long-term thinking has been key to our rise as a global hub for animal health and bioscience over the last twenty years. The Corridor doesn’t attract companies simply because of its incentives—it draws them because of the strong partnerships, the supportive infrastructure, and the commitment to advancing the industry’s future. Over the last two decades, the Corridor has developed a unique ecosystem where innovation, collaboration, and workforce development thrive, fueling not only short-term wins but also the long-term growth of the animal health sector.

Ultimately, the success of large-scale projects depends on strong business incentives, a pro-business environment and a region that invests in its industries. Regions that align their economic strategy with emerging trends and foster an environment where collaboration and innovation can flourish will win. The Animal Health Corridor is a prime example of what’s possible when the right elements come together to build a sustainable, thriving industry.

Business consolidation in the Animal Health industry has reshaped the landscape, influencing not just the size and structure of companies but also the nature of leadership within the sector. The merging of smaller, specialized companies into larger multinational corporations has created a more complex dynamic where a diverse range of thought leaders now play key roles in shaping the industry’s direction.

A decade ago, executives from large multinational companies typically had the most influence: driving trends and innovation within our industry. Their perspectives were often broad, grounded in corporate strategies aimed at covering a wide range of species, therapeutic categories, and global markets. However, with consolidation, there’s been a shift. Entrepreneurs, often from smaller companies with deep expertise in specific therapeutic categories or niche species, are now rising to prominence alongside these traditional corporate leaders.

This blending of expertise leads to a more robust dialogue around innovation. Entrepreneurs bring a wealth of knowledge on the challenges and opportunities in specific therapeutic areas, whether it’s new treatments for emerging diseases or innovations for certain species. Their specialized knowledge allows for more focused advancements in certain fields that might have previously been overlooked or underdeveloped in the larger corporate structures.

On the other hand, executives from large multinational companies offer a macro-level understanding of global trends, regulatory environments, and the ability to scale solutions. These leaders can help bring innovative ideas to a larger audience, ensuring new breakthroughs have the infrastructure to reach a global market.

The combination of broad corporate perspectives and narrow, specialized knowledge creates a powerful synergy. It’s a dynamic that allows the Animal Health industry to be more agile, addressing both large-scale global challenges and specific, localized needs. This shift in leadership also fosters greater collaboration across sectors, as entrepreneurs with specialized expertise can now partner with multinational corporations, bringing novel solutions to market faster.

This diversification of thought leadership also creates a more inclusive approach to problem-solving. With more players at the table, there’s an increased likelihood of diverse ideas being considered—whether it’s in regulatory affairs, animal welfare, sustainability, or advancing scientific research. The larger, more varied group of decision-makers can adapt to the rapid pace of change within the industry, responding to consumer demands for more sustainable practices, more targeted treatments, and a better understanding of animal health on a species-specific basis.

As an industry, we need to continue to embrace the perspectives of entrepreneurs as consolidation continues. They bring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise that is essential in tackling the global challenges facing animal health, ultimately benefiting both the animals and the professionals working to improve their well-being.

Kansas City has experienced an especially cold and snowy winter this year, but as the weather begins to shift, the days grow longer, and the promise of spring starts to emerge. For many of us, this changing of seasons offers an opportunity to pause and reflect.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the challenges many around me are facing—whether it’s job displacement, adjusting to new work dynamics, or managing personal struggles. I want to acknowledge the weight of these challenges and let you know that I truly empathize with what you’re going through. These difficult times don’t go unnoticed.

As spring approaches, I feel a renewed sense of optimism and energy. Better days are ahead. For those who may be weathering a storm right now, I want to encourage you to keep pushing forward. If there’s any way I can assist, whether through introductions, a conversation, or simply providing support, I’m here to help. Please feel free to reach out, and I’ll make space to connect. 

Remember, we are all human. Be kind to yourself.

1. Allow Yourself Grace: It’s important to remember that no one has to handle everything on their own. It’s okay to lean on others, and it’s okay to have days where you don’t feel 100%. We all need time to recover, and sometimes simply acknowledging your emotions is a powerful step forward.
2. Embrace Small Wins: In challenging times, even the smallest accomplishments can feel monumental. Celebrate those little victories, whether it’s getting through a tough day or taking time to care for yourself. Over time these victories add up and are worth recognizing.
3. Create a Support Network: The road to brighter days doesn’t have to be traveled alone. Reach out to friends, colleagues, or community groups. A simple check-in or sharing your experience with them can help lighten the load. 
4. Focus on What You Can Control: In times of uncertainty, it can be overwhelming to think about everything at once. Try to focus on what’s within your control. Perhaps it’s your daily routine, taking a few moments for self-care, or seeking out new opportunities. Taking small steps toward what you can control can offer peace amidst chaos.
5. Remember, You Are Not Alone: It’s easy to feel isolated when things get tough, but it’s important to remember that many of us are navigating similar struggles, even if we don’t show it. There’s strength in solidarity, and you don’t have to go through tough times by yourself.

As we all move forward into spring, let’s remind each other that brighter days are ahead. Be kind to yourself and know that it’s okay to seek help when needed. You’ve got this!

The animal health industry is driven by purpose. At its core, we create food and medicine for animals. But as we dig deeper, we see so much more: global food safety efforts, groundbreaking technologies for farms and clinics, innovative therapeutics, diagnostic advancements, and a growing understanding of the intersection between animals and human health.

Progress in the animal health sector comes from universities, industry leaders, and passionate entrepreneurs—some with decades of experience, others tackling challenges they’ve personally encountered. Each of these innovators is pushing the boundaries of science and technology, and we owe them a tremendous amount of respect and gratitude.

I admire the innovators who put everything on the line to drive progress. The path is rarely easy. Many ideas fail, and it can take years to bring a solution to market. The journey is long, stressful, and requires grit, perseverance, and unwavering commitment.

As a community, we need to ask ourselves: What can we do to help these innovators bring their ideas to life? Whether you’re an investor, a strategic partner, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, we all have a role to play in supporting entrepreneurship.

Here are three simple yet powerful ways to help innovators advance their technology:

1. Take the Meeting – If an innovator reaches out, take the time to meet with them. Listen attentively, and offer your insights or advice based on your experience.
2. Open Doors – Introduce them to people in your network who might be valuable connections, whether they’re seeking specific partnerships or guidance.
3. Be the Light – Innovation is tough, and the road can feel lonely. Offer encouragement and share opportunities that may help them pitch to investors or strategic partners.

With February around the corner, let’s share the love and support the entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of animal health and nutrition.

And for all innovators out there, applications for a spot on the main stage at the 2025 Animal Health Summit are open until April 1. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your work—apply today.