Katherine Hohberger Bennett
Katie Hohberger Bennett is an accomplished customer service leader with more than 20 years of experience across retail, distribution, and manufacturing. She currently serves as Customer Service Manager for the Midwest Region at Greif + Tri-Sure, where she partners with internal teams and supply chain stakeholders to deliver seamless customer experiences, optimize logistics, and implement innovative solutions. With a career rooted in customer-first leadership, Katie has built a reputation for strengthening client relationships, reducing costs, and driving continuous improvement across her teams. Her dedication to service excellence has earned her recognition, including Greif’s #BeLegendary Customer Service Excellence Award in 2024 and Veritiv’s Customer Experience Person of the Year in 2020.
Before joining Greif, Katie held leadership roles at Veritiv Corporation, Bass Pro Shops, and Safeway, where she developed expertise in operations, staff development, and customer engagement. She is known for fostering positive team cultures, empowering employees, and maintaining a sharp focus on key performance indicators. In addition to her professional work, Katie has a strong interest in sustainability and packaging innovation, with experience in materials sourcing, cost management, and implementing eco-friendly practices that align with brand identity and regulatory compliance.
Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Management from Ashworth College and is currently expanding her expertise through certifications in Six Sigma and international business. Beyond her career, she has been an active community volunteer, organizing initiatives to support health and social causes. Her colleagues and peers describe her as a dynamic, kind, and resilient leader who blends strategic problem-solving with compassion—qualities that have defined her long and successful career.
• Economics and International Business
• Six Sigma Foundations
• Communicating with Confidence
• Coaching for Continuous Improvement
• Listening to Customers
• Avoiding New Manager Mistakes
• Root Cause Analysis: Effective Systemic Problem Prevention
• Skills for Your First 90 Days as a New Manager
• New Manager Foundations
• Power BI: Working Together with Microsoft 365 Apps
• Communicating with Clarity as a Manager
• Ashworth College- B.A.
• Capella University- B.B.A.
• International Business Management Institute
• #BeLegendary Customer Service Excellence - Midwest Team
• Customer Experience Person of the Year for 2020
• Lead of the Month
• Safeway
• Greif
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the guidance of my parents, especially my dad Roger, who was my biggest mentor, along with my family values, a personal drive to always strive to be better, and the balance I find through traveling, enjoying the outdoors, lake life, boating, swimming, running, and giving back through the scholarship program I volunteer with to help raise funds for students.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Growth happens in moments of discomfort. It’s essential to keep learning, evolving, and setting new goals. Always be a lifelong student—stay curious, absorb as much as you can, and enjoy the process along the way.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I’ve learned the value of staying focused and resilient, while also leading with kindness and genuine passion. Flexibility and adaptability have been key throughout my career, qualities that have helped me grow through every change. Moving from retail to packaging was an unexpected turn, but it’s one that I’m incredibly grateful for. It’s allowed me to discover new strengths, connect with amazing people, and continue learning every step of the way.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The single biggest opportunity is sustainability and circularity — doing more with less waste, improving recyclability/reusability, and meeting consumer, regulatory, and environmental demands. The biggest challenge is balancing that aspect of sustainability and performance with cost. In other words, it’s hard to make packaging that ticks all the boxes: eco-friendly, regulatory-compliant, good function (protection, shelf life, durability), and cost-effective.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
As I approach 40 this January, I’ve come to realize that peace, travel, a fulfilling career, and family are what truly matter most to me. Having people you can count on both personally and professionally, is invaluable. Losing my dad two years ago changed my perspective on life; it reminded me how important it is to cherish the people we love, because everything can change in an instant.
I want to laugh, work hard, and truly enjoy life. At work, my team knows I’m a people-first leader. They’re not just coworkers to me—they’re individuals who matter. A great team feels like family: we show up for each other, push through challenges together, and take time to celebrate every win, big or small