Saputo Honors March Difference Makers

Three employees recognized for their dedication and contributions to the company

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:57pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished metal trophy, a crisp white shirt, and a gleaming Saputo Excellence Coin arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the recognition and rewards given to the company's Difference Makers.Saputo's Difference Maker program honors exceptional employees who go above and beyond, showcasing the company's commitment to valuing its workforce.Sulphur Springs Today

Saputo, a leading dairy company, has announced its March Difference Makers - Na'Kesha Evans, Chris Kersten, and Steven Daehn. These employees have been recognized for their exceptional performance, problem-solving skills, and commitment to the company's success. Each will receive special recognition and rewards for their outstanding contributions.

Why it matters

Recognizing and celebrating the achievements of dedicated employees is crucial for boosting morale, fostering a positive work culture, and inspiring others to strive for excellence. Saputo's Difference Maker program highlights the company's commitment to valuing its workforce and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

The details

Na'Kesha Evans has been with Saputo since 2005 and was recently promoted to QA Loss Prevention Lead. She is known for her passion, expertise, and collaborative approach, working closely with production and distribution teams to drive lasting improvements. Chris Kersten joined Saputo in 2017 as a forklift operator and has since taken on a DC Coordinator Lead role, where he has excelled in order management, system troubleshooting, and ensuring accurate picking and delivery. Steven Daehn, who joined Saputo in 2018, has become a key leader in the ESL Department, consistently going above and beyond to assist with packing changeovers, cover interim lead duties, and demonstrate strong problem-solving skills.

  • Na'Kesha Evans was promoted to QA Loss Prevention Lead in July 2025.
  • Chris Kersten joined Saputo in March 2017.
  • Steven Daehn joined Saputo in July 2018.

The players

Na'Kesha Evans

QA Loss Prevention Lead at Saputo since 2005, known for her passion, expertise, and collaborative approach to driving improvements.

Chris Kersten

DC Coordinator Lead at Saputo's DC1 facility, with a strong work ethic, problem-solving mindset, and drive to continuously learn.

Steven Daehn

Key leader in Saputo's ESL Department, known for his reliability, problem-solving skills, and willingness to help across all areas.

Keila Perez-Lewis

Saputo employee who recognized Na'Kesha Evans as a Difference Maker.

Nathan Ridner

Saputo employee who recognized Chris Kersten as a Difference Maker.

Danny Strickhausen

Saputo employee who recognized Steven Daehn as a Difference Maker.

Joe Wallace

Saputo employee who announced the Difference Makers and their rewards.

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What they’re saying

“Na'Kesha Evans – has been shaping Quality at Saputo since 2005! Promoted to QA Loss Prevention Lead in July 2025, she brings passion, expertise, and heart to everything she does. Known for her dedication to training and collaboration, Na'Kesha works side by side with Production teams and our Distribution Centers to turn corrective actions into lasting loss reduction results. Always ready to step in, always bringing a positive attitude, Na'Kesha consistently goes above and beyond—lifting others, strengthening processes, and setting the standard for Quality every single day.”

— Keila Perez-Lewis, Saputo employee

“Chris Kersten joined Saputo in March of 2017 as a forklift operator in DC2 and later stepped into a newly created DC Coordinator Lead role at DC1 during the rollout of our SAP inventory system. Chris embraced the challenge, mastering order management, system troubleshooting, and ensuring accurate picking and delivery.”

— Nathan Ridner, Saputo employee

“Steven Daehn – Steven joined the Saputo team in July 2018 as a Scholle Filler Operator and has since become a key leader within the ESL Department. After three years on the SF30 filler, he transitioned to the J/L Scholle fillers and is now a reliable operator for the UHT 3 and Unitherm processors, while still providing support in the Scholle Filler Room when needed. Steven consistently goes above and beyond—staying late on multiple occasions to assist night shift with packing changeovers on the UHT 3 homogenizer to help prevent excessive downtime. He volunteers for multiple training opportunities, regularly covers interim lead duties during leadership PTO, and is a two-time Difference Maker.”

— Danny Strickhausen, Saputo employee

What’s next

The Difference Makers will be recognized on billboards around Sulphur Springs, Texas, and will receive a Difference Maker shirt and a new Saputo Excellence Coin as a token of the company's appreciation.

The takeaway

Saputo's Difference Maker program highlights the company's commitment to fostering a positive work culture and recognizing the contributions of its dedicated employees. By celebrating the achievements of Na'Kesha Evans, Chris Kersten, and Steven Daehn, Saputo is setting an example of how to motivate and inspire its workforce to strive for excellence.