Long-time NextUp member Briana Lee has experienced the profound impact of this community through various leadership roles and her dedication to equity and inclusion. She credits NextUp as a key driver of her career development, offering her a platform to enhance her leadership and expand her network. In this conversation, Briana shares the skills and insights she’s gained, highlighting how NextUp has shaped her career and passion for mentoring others.
Tell us a bit about yourself—your career journey, where you live, any pets you have, and anything else you’d like to share!
I’m originally from Baltimore but now call Chicago home, where I live with my husband, Eric. I bring 16 years of experience in CPG sales, strategy, and insights, having worked at companies such as Nabisco, Kraft, Tyson, and now McCain Foods. I’ve also been deeply involved in inclusion and equity for over 17 years, including my work with NextUp and as the founder of the Tyson Asians & Allies Business Resource Group (BRG).
Outside of work, I’m passionate about musical theatre, karaoke, swing dancing, exploring new places, and cooking and eating really good food!
What initially inspired you to join the NextUp community?
In 2008, I received a scholarship from NEW (now known as NextUp), which included a three-year membership. Regenia Stein, who at the time was NextUp’s HQ Secretary and a Corporate VP at Kraft Foods, opened the door for me and became a catalyst in launching my career in CPG. When I received that formal job offer, I made a personal commitment to myself: one day, I would reach an executive leadership level where I could not only impact the business but, more importantly, open doors for others who might not otherwise have that opportunity. Through NextUp, I secured a job after graduation, gained industry mentors, developed leadership skills, and built a nationwide network!
What is it that you’ve loved about volunteering with NextUp that has stayed with you throughout your involvement in the organization?
I’ve had a 17-year parallel career with NextUp since joining in 2008. Each volunteer and leadership role has kept in step with my career stages.
I started as the youngest member in the Mid-Atlantic Region. I quickly took on leadership roles, including leading the Carolinas Region social media committee and volunteering with the mentor committee. In 2014, I co-led the Carolinas Region college outreach committee, growing university engagement and winning the “Outstanding Achievement in College Outreach” award. I joined the New Gen Committee in 2016, then co-led the Chicago College Outreach Committee. As the NextUp ambassador to Tyson Foods in 2017, I grew membership and built sustainable engagement.
In addition to this, I further developed my skills by joining the Finance Committee in 2019 and the Women of Color Advisory Council in 2020. In 2023, I joined the Chicago Sponsorship Committee, and in 2024, I negotiated McCain Foods’ sponsorship of NextUp, co-leading the partnership and integrating it into McCain’s Women’s ERG. These roles have helped me learn, grow, and give back to the community!
You created the College Fair (formerly known as Retail Adventure) at Winthrop University over 10 years ago as a college outreach initiative for NextUp Carolinas. What inspired you to launch this event, and what impact have you seen it have on the college students who have attended?
I created Retail Adventure to give students a chance to explore CPG and retail careers in a real-world setting. When I was in college, I didn’t know how many different majors could apply to CPG roles. My first job as a Nabisco Merchandiser at Kraft opened my eyes to this, and it inspired me to create the event. We had volunteers from different areas, like Sales, Marketing, and HR, who shared their career paths and offered advice. It gave students the chance to connect what they learned in class to real-world examples and helped them explore potential careers in CPG.
As a longstanding member of the NextUp community, how have you seen the organization evolve to keep up with the ever-changing world of work?
NextUp has evolved by maintaining a hybrid model, blending in-person events for connectivity with virtual options to engage members outside their regions. During COVID, Summit went virtual, and my favorite breakout session was a virtual Affinity Group breakfast. I chose the Asian group because I had just been tapped to found and co-chair Tyson Foods’ first Asian ERG. Megan Fritz from General Mills facilitated and guided us through discussions on the unique challenges faced by Asian team members and how to support one another. This session led me to reach out to her afterward, and four years later, we’re still mentoring each other! The virtual setting provided a unique chance to engage with a group of people who might not have otherwise had the chance to come together in person, making meaningful connections possible that wouldn’t have occurred otherwise.
What’s one key lesson you’ve learned at a NextUp event that has resonated with you? How has it influenced your career?
“It’s not just what you can do for an organization—what can it do for you?” This really resonated with me and has become a guiding principle in my role as an Employee Resource Group leader. Volunteering shouldn’t be purely altruistic; it should also support your own professional growth.
When I founded Tyson’s first Asian BRG, I set three personal goals: expand my influence, demonstrate leadership, and gain visibility outside my department. I made sure every initiative aligned with those goals and took the time to understand the career aspirations of my committee members so I could help them grow too.
What has been your favorite NextUp event over the years and why?
My favorite NextUp event was the 2018 NextUp Leadership Summit. As part of NextUp’s first Associate Board, NextGen, we led the breakout session, “Humble Brag: Millennials Are Your Greatest Asset.” We challenged stereotypes and discussed how to unleash the power of millennials through authenticity, innovation, and agility. Not only did this allow us to collaborate across companies, it gave us a platform to elevate our message to 1,200 attendees with our research and personal anecdotes.
Fun fact: When I met Bobbi O’Hare for the first time in 2023 and shared my story, I may have cried from being so starstruck and grateful for how impactful NextUp has been in my journey.
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