Kelly Green

Listening and accountability. Those are the keys to building a successful team, Birko Corporation President Kelly Green said.

“The most important leadership skill I have learned in my career is to recognize God gave me two ears and one mouth for a reason,” she said. “I found listening while instilling accountability is the key to a well-rounded team. Ensuring the team has the resources and ability to be skillful in their field has provided them the confidence to win in any environment.”

Birko is a leading food safety company in the protein, produce and brewery industries. The company’s business model and vision for its future include its Protection with Precision food safety program, which integrates Birko’s chemistry, equipment and technology. The combination provides a return on investment through chemical cost analysis, automated sanitation practices and efficient and sustainable solutions, the company said.

Birko was ranked No. 27 in the 2021 Top 50 Family-Owned Companies by ColoradoBiz Magazine and also selected as a finalist for Bioscience Manufacturer of the Year at the 2021 Colorado Manufacturing Awards.

Green is the third-generation owner of Birko Corp., which is based in Colorado. She has pushed the company to evolve and embrace technology while also maintaining the foundation set by her grandparents, who founded the company in 1953.

“Green is a mentor to her employees and encourages their professional growth by supporting continuing education, training and leadership opportunities within the company,” her staff said. “In fact, 60% of Birko’s executive leadership team is female and holds titles of vice president and higher, and 64%of the company’s managers are female.”

Green is a former board member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council of the West and was previously one of two women serving on the board for the North American Meat Institute.

Green is a member of the Colorado State College of Ag Sciences Global Leadership Council. She’s also a member of Vistage International, a global network for chief executives, and a past board member of the Colorado Women’s Business Chamber of Commerce. Green is a former member of the Colorado State University Executive MBA Board. She has a Bachelor of Science in communications from the University of Colorado and an executive MBA from Colorado State University.

“Kelly is fearless about growing Birko and doing what’s best for protecting today’s food supply,” her team said. “She excels in a traditionally male-dominated industry with her ability to protect customers’ businesses with grace, professionalism and strength.”