My mom is on my mind often, not just on Mother’s Day. And I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.

My mom shaped my life in many ways, some she likely didn’t realize.

In fact, one of the biggest influences she had on my life was completely unintentional. My mom wasn’t only from another generation; she was from another culture. She came to the U.S. from India in the 1960s and had an arranged marriage to my dad. They met the day before their wedding day…

The difference between love and romance was a perspective my mom liked to share. She talked about the importance of finding the right fit for the long-term. 

“Love is something you work at,” she told me. “Be careful not to confuse the feelings of romance with love. Love is something you choose every day.” 

I never thought I’d live that advice in my career.

Time after time, I’ve rejected the “romance” of roles that were glamorous for a moment – in favor of substantive challenges – like the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the world’s food system. 

That’s what we’re doing at Tyson Foods every day: choosing to make a difference for the long-term.

Sunday might be Mother’s Day – but every Monday through Friday as I’m working to make quality food accessible and sustainable, I’m thinking of my mom and looking to shape lives the way she shaped mine.

Thank you, mom.

Published May 11, 2018.

Author
Group President of Prepared Foods at

Sally Grimes is group president, prepared foods for Tyson Foods, responsible for nearly $10 billion of the company's $40 billion business worldwide. Sally oversees almost half of Tyson Foods’ production facilities, more than 20,000 team members, as well as the company's rapid growth, innovation, insights, R&D, culinary and foodservice teams. Sally is a member of Tyson Foods’ enterprise leadership team and reports to President and CEO Noel White.

Throughout her career, Sally has introduced new brands while spearheading the growth of dozens of iconic brands, from Kraft Macaroni & Cheese to Sharpie. Today, she leads Tyson Foods’ three billion-dollar brands—Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm and Tyson—delivering top and bottom line growth while reshaping the segment for the future of food. Sally’s focus on people’s needs, and her willingness to rethink business and brand models to meet them, has led to a track record of revenue and profit growth.

Sally previously served as president, international and chief global growth officer for the company. She came to Tyson Foods with the acquisition of The Hillshire Brands Company in 2014 where she served as chief innovation officer and president of the Gourmet Food Group. Sally spent more than a decade at Kraft Foods in brand management, and then transitioned to take Sharpie markers from “commodity to community” as she led the digital transformation of the brand as global vice president of marketing at Newell Rubbermaid.

Sally was named Fortune 2018 Most Powerful Women to Watch, Crain’s Chicago Business 2018 Most Powerful Women in Chicago Business, and Fast Company Most Creative People in Business. She is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and serves on the Board of Directors of the Midtown Educational Association supporting low-income youth. She received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

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