LaDonna M Joseph
LaDonna Joseph is a North America Global Supplier Quality Development Specialist at Mead Johnson Nutrition, bringing decades of experience in quality assurance, supplier development, and continuous improvement within highly regulated manufacturing environments. She is recognized for her expertise in implementing and strengthening Quality Systems, leading audits, and driving measurable improvements across supplier and plant operations. LaDonna holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Michigan and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, a combination that uniquely supports both technical excellence and effective training. In her current role, LaDonna partners closely with suppliers, procurement, packaging engineering, and infant nutrition plants to elevate quality performance across North America. Her work has led to a 40% reduction in supplier nonconformances year over year for North American infant nutrition sites. She has developed and delivered root cause analysis and investigation training programs, supported supplier global audit teams, and authored global transportation guidelines, all while fostering strong, collaborative supplier relationships. Throughout her career at organizations including Abbott, Coca-Cola, Brooklyn Bottling, and Union Beverage Packers, LaDonna has led large, cross-functional teams, managed laboratories and compliance programs, and successfully guided facilities through FDA, customer, and third-party audits. Known as a steady, empathetic leader with a strong commitment to learning and growth, she is passionate about building capable teams, developing suppliers, and embedding a culture of quality and continuous improvement that drives long-term success.
• HACCP
• SQF
• PCQI
• Greenbelt
• University of Michigan
• National Louis University
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to more than 32 years of experience in the field and the resilience built from overcoming challenges along the way, including being the first woman and the first African American woman in several roles. Those experiences strengthened my determination, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Above all, my faith is central to who I am—I stay grounded through prayer and reading the Bible, which guides my work and reinforces my responsibility to do great work and keep the babies we serve safe, which is my highest priority.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can achieve anything you set your mind to—by setting clear goals, having faith, and truly believing in yourself.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to believe in themselves and know that they, too, can achieve their goals. Set clear intentions, stay committed, and don’t let obstacles or doubts limit what you know you are capable of accomplishing.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is being able to reach and support everyone who needs my expertise. At the same time, this presents an opportunity to continue expanding my impact by sharing knowledge, strengthening systems, and finding new ways to ensure the highest level of quality and care for those we serve.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Staying positive and maintaining a strong sense of purpose are essential to me in both my work and personal life. I place great value on mentorship and enjoy passing on my knowledge and skill set to other women in the field, helping them grow, gain confidence, and succeed in their own careers.