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Every person at Versova has a story. Behind every job title is someone with unique experiences, goals, talents, and aspirations. Some employees are building new skills, others are taking on new responsibilities. Many are growing their careers in ways they may not have imagined when they first joined the company.

Recognizing these individual stories is an important part of what it means to put people first. At Versova, that commitment goes beyond employee appreciation events or years-of-service milestones. It means creating a workplace where people feel respected, know their contributions matter, and have opportunities to grow.

A people-first approach

Putting people first starts with understanding that every employee brings something different to the team. In 2025, Versova made an intentional shift from human resources to people operations, reflecting a broader commitment to the employee experience.

The change represents more than a new department name. Employees often associate traditional human resources with policies, procedures, and administrative processes. People operations takes a more holistic approach. The team considers the entire employee experience, from recruitment and onboarding to career development, engagement, and long-term retention.

At the heart of this approach is a simple idea: Employees are people, not assets. They are the value that drives Versova's success. Investing in their well-being and growth helps build stronger teams and a stronger company.

“Our transition from human resources to people operations reflects the shift in how we think about supporting our employees,” says Chuck Renken, chief people officer. “We’re about two years into this journey, and we continue to look for ways to improve the employee experience. That includes expanding the services our team provides, helping employees navigate their careers, and creating opportunities for people to feel heard, respected, and valued.”

People operations strives to make it easier for employees to access support and find opportunities to learn and grow in their role. At Versova, employee development is woven through multiple layers and is the responsibility of all leaders. Our people partners work alongside leaders and their teams to provide resources and streamlined services that support growth and development.

This people-first mindset also supports Versova's mission, Protein with Purpose: Feeding the future one egg at a time. Achieving this mission relies on the people behind the work every day.

Investing in people for the long term

Versova's commitment to its people is closely connected to its goal of becoming the employer of choice. That means creating a workplace where employees feel respected, know their voices are heard, and want to build their careers.

Professional development and leadership opportunities are important parts of that commitment. When employees can see a future for themselves within the company, they gain motivation to build on their experience, contribute new ideas, and take on greater responsibilities.

Appreciation looks different for everyone

Recognizing people means understanding that appreciation isn't one-size-fits-all. For one employee, recognition may mean celebrating a career milestone; for another, it could be an opportunity to learn something new or spend time with colleagues during an event. Meaningful appreciation starts with recognizing what makes each team unique.

One example of how farm leaders put this into practice was during Versova’s Employee Appreciation Week in September. Morning Fresh Farms brought employees together through activities designed to celebrate both individual departments and the broader One Team culture.

Customized department photo frames highlighted contributions of each team, while games, raffles, treats, and an employee appreciation lunch offered opportunities for everyone to participate. Managers stepped away from their usual responsibilities to prepare and serve breakfast to employees, turning a simple meal into a personal gesture of thanks.

Alongside guiding principles awards and service milestone celebrations, these activities demonstrated that appreciation doesn't have to be elaborate to be meaningful. Often, it's simple, thoughtful gestures that help people feel recognized and connected to their team.

Celebrating years of service

During Versova’s Employee Appreciation Week, 50 employees celebrating 10 years of service and nine employees reaching the milestone of 20 years with the company were recognized. Celebrating service milestones is a concrete example of the commitment people have made to Versova, while career development helps them see what might be possible next.

Whether someone is beginning their career, learning a new role, or celebrating decades with the company, each person's contribution matters. Recognizing these contributions helps reinforce the culture Versova is working to build — one where employees feel valued not just for what they do, but for who they are.

Behind every job is a person

Versova's people-first approach is an ongoing commitment. It means continuing to listen, finding ways to support employees, and creating opportunities for people to learn, grow, and build meaningful careers.

“Our people are not simply here to fill a role. They are the foundation of our success, and investing in them is essential to our future,” added Renken.
As Versova continues its mission to be the employer, supplier of choice, and investment of choice, its people remain central to that vision. The company's success depends less on the work being done each day, and more on the individuals who bring their skills, experiences, and perspectives to that work.

Taking the time to know and appreciate the person behind the job builds more than a workforce; it strengthens Versova’s One Team.