Meet Dr. Crystal Steen, the Vice-President of Culture & Learning at Simmons Foods, whose life’s work revolves around cultivating awesomeness within individuals, teams, and organizations. Born and raised on a family farm, Crystal’s journey from the heartland of Missouri marked by dedication, hard work, and a commitment to excellence.
At only 18, Crystal was already a dynamic speaker, captivating audiences at high schools across Missouri. By 20, she was facilitating leadership camps and conferences across the United States, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to building leadership and organizational brilliance.
Her roles as an internal talent development consultant, organizational researcher, change agent, enterprise leadership educator, people operations strategist, and global human resources generalist showcase her versatility and adaptability. Her corporate journey includes impactful work in analytics and data visualization, where she brought insights to life. Crystal is a catalyst for culture changes that have translated into tangible improvements, such as increased safety and quality Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). She has spearheaded initiatives resulting in a remarkable 50% reduction in attrition rates, demonstrating her ability to create solutions that benefit both individuals and the business.
Crystal’s passion lies in finding solutions to real problems, aligning the interests of people with those of the business. Her multifaceted career and commitment to excellence make her a trailblazer in the fields of culture and learning, setting the standard for leadership and innovation at Simmons Foods.
From Academia to Industry Leadership
Crystal, as the first in her farm family to attend college, never expected to spend a decade in academia and earn three degrees. Her educational journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from the University of Missouri, a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Leadership from the University of Florida.
After a brief stint in teaching, Crystal ventured into manufacturing with Textron, where she developed a passion for the industry and found joy in providing solutions through Learning and Development (L&D). Throughout her career, she has held various HR roles and spent time consulting before joining Simmons Foods in 2018.
For Crystal, being able to combine her love for agriculture and manufacturing at Simmons Foods, a third-generation family business with an exceptional culture, while working on meaningful and impactful projects, has been a dream come true.
Leading in Poultry, Pet, and Animal Nutrition for Over 70 Years
Simmons Foods and its Affiliates are leading suppliers of poultry, pet, and animal nutrition products, with the company’s headquarters located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. The company leverages over 70 years of experience to serve its customers and works closely with farmers, communities, and employees. Simmons Prepared Foods is recognized as one of the top 15 poultry producers in the United States, while Simmons Pet Food holds the position of being the largest supplier of store brand wet pet food in North America. Additionally, Simmons Animal Nutrition offers a range of innovative proprietary animal nutrition products.
With a dedicated team of 9,000 members, the company provides its products and services to customers in all 50 of the United States and more than 40 countries worldwide. The company’s extensive reach and expertise contribute to its standing as a leading player in the poultry, pet, and animal nutrition industries.
The Visionary
Todd Simmons is the Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of Simmons Foods, Inc. and Affiliates located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He joined Simmons in 1990. Todd attended Georgetown University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Minor in Theology. As CEO, Todd Simmons has led the third-generation family business to historic levels of growth with $2.8 billion in annual sales in 2022 and a Team Member base over 9,000 strong.
Under Simmons’ leadership, the company’s strong safety culture, industry-leading benefits and commitment to investing in education and community are key reasons Simmons stands out in the industry. In 1949 a young Bill Simmons joined up with financial partner Frank Pluss to found a small poultry company in Decatur, Arkansas. Bill’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished and within three years he bought out his partner and began building his legacy. He was a pioneer in everything from tray-packed chicken to canned pet food to recycling byproducts of processing chicken, like turning feathers into a protein product to support animal nutrition.
Strategic Approach to Mentorship and Knowledge Transfer
According to Crystal, at Simmons Foods, the company has embraced the idea of leveraging industry experience by incorporating a leadership coach into their team. This individual brings nearly 40 years of practical leadership experience, ranging from the frontline to the executive level. Now, as he transitions towards retirement, he plays a crucial role in teaching and mentoring through their Learning and Development (L&D) programs.
Rather than allowing this valuable expertise and experience to leave the organization, Simmons Foods has found a way to harness it in a manner that enhances the quality of their programs. It also provides this seasoned leader with an opportunity to build a legacy by imparting knowledge and guidance to the next generation of leaders within the company.
Real Solutions, Real Growth
One of Dr. Steen’s team mantras is to “solve real problems.” Crystal, looks across the organization and identifies genuine business challenges that can be addressed with solutions in learning and development. Her team’s goal is to act as genuine business partners, collaborating with individuals to facilitate their learning and leadership development. They aim to help Team Members apply what they’ve learned in meaningful ways, offer coaching for sustainable success, and support their growth to reach their full potential. Crystal’s Culture & Learning Team is dedicated to creating solutions that genuinely contribute value to the business.
Transforming Traditions
For nearly 75 years, Simmons Foods has maintained a strong operational focus. Crystal acknowledges that, historically, the company has often promoted from within without always providing individuals with the necessary tools and training for the leadership aspects of their roles. However, the company is actively addressing this by investing time and resources in upskilling their current leaders and developing a pipeline of future leaders who will be well-prepared to achieve significant success as they continue to grow with the business.
Crystal expresses that it’s an exciting and transformative period to be part of their team, as they prioritize leadership development and embrace change to enhance their organizational capabilities.
Fostering Excellence
The team at Simmons Foods is deeply committed to cultivating and sustaining the company’s culture, which, as Dr. Henry Cloud suggests, is either created or tolerated. They dedicate themselves to preserving and perpetually shaping the unique culture at Simmons Foods that distinguishes them from other organizations. Although they acknowledge that perfection is elusive, their approach is guided by a mindset of continuous improvement, ensuring that their culture remains a central and evolving aspect of the company’s identity.
Innovative Learning & Development Initiatives
According to Crystal, the Simmons Foods team would emphasize that their culture is what distinguishes them. They are a values-based, performance-driven, family-centered business dedicated to making food for the families and pets they love. They uphold the principles of servant leadership and compassionate accountability.
From a Learning and Development (L&D) perspective, their supervisor certification stands out. Simmons Foods provides leaders with the opportunity to put into practice what they’ve learned through their People First Leadership Experience by working on a People First Project, delivering a presentation on that project, and passing an examination to obtain an internal certification. In recognition of this achievement, leaders receive a pay raise, and their title is changed to Simmons Certified Supervisor. This approach aligns with their commitment to continuous improvement and leadership development.
