The Only Ceiling Is Your Own: Kash Rocheleau’s Story of Ambition, Ownership, and Mentorship

Today, on Notable Leaders’ Radio, I speak with Kash Rocheleau, CEO of Icon Foods, Inc.. She discusses the importance of mentorship, fostering cultures of ownership and transparency, and explains why real growth occurs when we step outside our comfort zones.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

• Recognize the impact of supportive mentors in your life.
  Seek out people who champion your goals and remind you of your strengths during challenges; even one person who believes in you can turn obstacles into opportunities.

•  Lean into self-reliance but also understand when collaboration is important. Balancing independence with the ability to ask for help allows you to own your journey while benefiting from collective wisdom, a dynamic that improves both personal and professional relationships. 

• Embrace your imperfections as valuable leadership assets. When you let go of perfectionism and openly admit your mistakes, it demonstrates authenticity that naturally builds trust and boosts team morale. Remember, vulnerability can often be your greatest strength. 

• Foster cultures of ownership and transparency wherever you are.
  Whether as a leader or team member, contributing to an environment where people feel responsible for outcomes creates a sense of pride and belonging that benefits everyone.

• Reexamine the personal “ceilings” you accept or create in your life.
  Believe that your potential is not capped by others but by yourself, and seek (or become) the kind of support that encourages ambition, so you always have the permission to grow.

RESOURCES:

Guest Bio:

Kash Rocheleau is the CEO of Icon Foods, a leading supplier of clean-label sweetening systems and functional ingredients for the food and beverage industry. With a background in finance and a deep passion for innovation, Kash brings a unique blend of analytical rigor and creative problem-solving to the world of food science and formulation.

Under her leadership, Icon Foods has continued to pioneer sugar reduction strategies using natural sweeteners like allulose, stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, and soluble fibers. Kash is a strong advocate for transparent labeling, functional nutrition, and providing CPG brands with concierge-level support—from custom formulation guidance and particle reduction to full-scale production planning. Known for her sharp industry insight and no-nonsense leadership style, she is committed to helping brands bring better-for-you products to market without compromising taste, texture, or integrity.

Kash is also a regular contributor to thought leadership in clean label trends, gut health innovation, and female-focused wellness solutions in food and beverage. When she's not driving the next big formulation breakthrough, she's focused on mentoring emerging talent and fostering a culture of agility, ownership, and continuous improvement at Icon Foods.

Website/Social Links
https://www.iconfoods.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/kash-rocheleau-a0678528/

Belinda’s Bio:
Belinda Pruyne is a renowned Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach, Consultant, and Keynote Speaker recognized for her ability to transform executives, professionals, and small business owners into highly respected, influential leaders. As the Founder of BelindaPruyne.com, she partners with top-tier organizations, including IBM, Booz Allen Hamilton, BBDO, Hilton, Leidos, Yale School of Medicine, Landis, Discovery Channel, and the Portland Trail Blazers. Recently, she led the redesign of two global internal advertising agencies for Cella, a leader in creative staffing and consulting. She is also a founding C-suite and executive management coach for Chief, the fastest-growing executive women’s network.

A thought leader in leadership development, Belinda is the creator and host of the Notable Leaders Radio podcast, where she has conducted 95+ interviews with top executives and business leaders, revealing the untold stories behind their success.

Previously, as Executive Vice President, Global Director of Creative Management at Grey Advertising, she oversaw a global team of 500 professionals, gaining deep expertise in client services and executive leadership. With 25+ years of experience, Belinda is a trusted advisor to startups, turnarounds, acquisitions, and Fortune 500 companies, delivering strategic, high-impact solutions in today’s fast-evolving business landscape.

Website: Belindapruyne.com

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