The 2024 Rising Baker Award was presented to Catherin Herrera, director of baking technology, commercialization and training at Bimbo Bakeries USA.

The Young Professionals Committee outlined the following criteria:

• Nominees must be employed by a baking organization, equipment or ingredient supplier, baking service-related company, or a post-graduate studies student.
  • If the nominee is not employed by a bakery, the nominator is encouraged to demonstrate how the nominee’s responsibilities/business directly contribute to wholesale baking.
• Nominators must be a member of ASB for the submission to be considered.
• Self-nomination is not permitted.
• Young Professional Awards Selection Committee Members are not eligible for this award during their active term on the task force.
• To receive the award, the nominee must be 40 years of age or younger at the time of the award presentation (late February-early March).
• The nominee will be required to become an ASB member, if not already.
• All recipients must be present at BakingTECH to be recognized and receive their award.

All nominees will participate in a 15-minute meet-and-greet virtual interview with the selection committee in December. If they are unable to participate live, they can submit a pre-recorded video answering three of five pre-defined questions.

Visit the ASB website for more information on the award.