The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) announced that Edlong, Elk Grove Village, Ill., was recognized as a top women business enterprise in driving trends and making a significant impact in the food and beverage and agriculture industries, Edlong said.

“As is the case with all of our achievements, this is a team effort,” said Laurette Rondenet, president and CEO, Edlong. “We are humbled to be recognized by our peers and grateful to our colleagues, partners and customers that make this nomination possible.”

The 13 trendsetting women-owned businesses were recognized based on delivering innovative products and solutions while driving key industry trends, including ethical sourcing, sustainability, alternatives, organic ingredients, social responsibility and more. Edlong said it was lauded for its ability to leverage 100-plus years of dairy expertise to accelerate innovation and global product development, even in dairy-free applications. 

“My dad gave me a copy of a poem called ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling. And the first line starts: ‘If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs…,’” said Laurette. “That line has come back to me many times throughout my career. Good leadership is keeping your head. Understand your strengths, passions and goals and remember that path to achieving them will not be a straight line.”

More about Edlong, the other nominated companies and how each is driving industry trends is available on the WBENC Blog at www.WBENC.org.