WASHINGTON — The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) invited 30 dairy industry professionals to join its NextGen Leadership Program.
The trade association said members of the program’s sixth cohort were chosen from a pool of IDFA member companies’ candidates and selected based on their experience and scope of responsibilities.
IDFA developed the program to offer emerging dairy leaders a premier, year-long development opportunity.
Michael Dykes, the organization’s president and chief executive officer, said every NextGen cohort provides a glimpse of “some of the best and brightest men and women” on the rise within the dairy industry.
“IDFA and dairy business leaders have made it a priority to develop future leaders for our industry who can effectively inspire the workforce of the future, advocate for sound policy, and lead with integrity,” Dykes said, adding the program prepares cohort members to lead the industry into a new era.
The members of the program’s 2024-25 cohort are:
• Jared Bock, regulatory affairs manager, Tillamook County Creamery Association
• Allison Bolet Cafaro, generational impact manager, Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc.
• Katie Burgess, director, risk management, Ever.Ag
• Brent Butcher, director, milk procurement and operations, Horizon Organic Dairy
• Michelle Therese Carroll, senior global key account manager, Fonterra (USA) Inc.
• Ben Chapin, member services director, Michigan Milk Producers Association
• Catherine de Ronde, vice president, economics and legislative affairs, Agri-Mark, Inc.
• Jed Ellis, director, procurement, Shehadey Family Foods, LLC
• Wes Eveland, director, procurement, Hilmar
• Stewart Foster, senior procurement specialist - dairy, Nestlé USA, Inc.
• Morgan Gruhlke, director, strategic sourcing, Sargento Foods Inc.
• Gary Halverson, director, supply chain, Idaho Milk Products
• Amanda Hawkins, director, manufacturing, Albertsons Companies
• Lauren Jones, regional key account manager lead, Agrana Fruit US, Inc.
• Kristie Kliegl, director, food safety and quality assurance, Chobani, Inc.
• Gary Lawrence, sr. sales director, Ornua Ingredients North America
• Miranda Leis, vice president, dairy pool, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative
• Romain Lepicard, sr. director, research and development, Mars
• Cole Lickley, sr. manager, farm risk management, Danone North America
• Dennis Meitner, plant manager, Franklin Foods Inc.
• Adam Mueller, CEO, Minerva Dairy
• Michael Murray, vice president, supply chain, Saputo Dairy Division USA
• Erik Nielsen, associate general counsel, Leprino Foods Company
• Gretchen Porter, sr. manager, strategic sourcing, Grande Cheese Company
• Mykala Snyder, sales manager, Continental Dairy Facilities, LLC
• Ryan Theel, industrial sales director, Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.
• Tim Turner Jr., vice president, plant operations, Turner Dairy Farms, Inc.
• Michael Vinson, vice president, corporate affairs, Schreiber Foods, Inc.
• Devon Vogel, vice president, customer solutions, Nelson-Jameson, Inc.
• Nathalia Zapata, AVP, corporate accounts-dairy, Ecolab
IDFA senior vice president, strategic initiatives, and chief of staff Colin Newman said he anticipates another “engaging and inspiring” cohort.
“Over the coming year, these gifted, rising leaders will push the bounds of their leadership, networking and advocacy skills,” Newman said. “They will make life-long connections and join a prestigious community of industry leaders proudly identifying as NextGen alumni."
Before launching the program six years ago, IDFA developed it to guide and support mid- to senior-level dairy industry professionals who are about to take another step in their careers. IDFA uses in-person and virtual approaches to build and expand professional relationships, hone leadership skills and teach advanced advocacy skills. IDFA said the program now counts among its alumni six CEOs and dozens of executive level leaders.
