CHICAGO, October 7, 2024 — IFMA will welcome 30+ industry executives to its Next Gen Execs program during the association’s 2024 Presidents Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.
Next Gen Execs launched at the association’s 2022 Presidents Conference. As IFMA President & CEO Phil Kafarakis explained, “The program came about at the request of our membership. Many were looking for a professional development program that could strengthen connection and community for up-and-coming executives. IFMA is a convener of the food-away-from-home industry and Next Gen Execs is an ideal way for us to help build a stronger and more collaborative industry of the future.”
Kafarakis continued, “We’re grateful to the 2024 IFMA Board Liaison to the program, Kristin Bird, President of Foodservice at T. Marzetti, for her leadership in giving Next Gen Execs more depth and purpose this year. We’re
excited to see the 2025 cohort build on that and create an even more robust platform for future program participants.”
The program offers multiple opportunities for professional growth, networking, and interaction with industry leaders from across segments. Qualified IFMA member companies nominate candidates to the program. Next Gen Execs have been identified within their companies for having inspirational leadership skills coupled with dedication to the industry and potential for executive positions.
Beginning in early November and participating through the 2025 IFMA Presidents Conference, the new Next Gen Execs are:
• Nancy Amato, Sr. Sales Manager National Foodservice, The Hershey Company
• Katie Beth Axton, Sr. Sales Manager Prepared Foods, Wayne-Sanderson Farms
• Mathilde Baranger-Albert, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Choco
• Lesley Barinka, Area Manager, Hormel Foods
• Morgan Beaty, Senior Account Executive, National Distribution, P&G Professional
• Keith Bogdan, Director, Revenue Mgmt & Analytics, Rich Products
• Richelle Borrelli, Senior Manager, National Accounts Foodservice Sales, Pepsico
• Lisa Brooks, Director, Customer Growth, The Coca-Cola Company
• Michael Carroll, Sales Director, Kerry
• Jocelyn Carter, Marketing Director, Kerry
• Amanda Coulombe, Regional Vice President Corporate Accounts, Ecolab Inc
• Devyn Curless-Clark, Director of Non-Commercial Sales, High Liner Foods
• Suzanne Cwik, Director Professional Services, Tibersoft
• Jeff Fikar, Director of Product Management - Revenue Management, Ventura Foods
• Wilson James, Director, National Foodservice Sales, Pepsico
• Mallory Jones, Marketing Operations Manager - Digital & Content, Simplot Global Food
• Rob Ketchum, Director of National Account Sales, T. Marzetti
• Pasquale LaRocca, Sr Manager Brand Marketing, Nestlé Professional Solutions
• Chris Little, Sr Director Commercial Development, Nestlé Professional Solutions
• Glenn Lobo, Director, R&D Services, Ventura Foods
• Andrew Mankus, Director of Operations, UMass Amherst
• Ryan McBreen, Director, National Restaurant Sales, PepsiCo
• Francesco Montrone, Food Solution E-Commerce Lead, Uniliver Food Solutions
• Rafael Morales, Non-Commercial Account Leader, Cargill
• Jamie Morrison, Director, Customer Strategic Insights, The Coca-Cola Company
• Zach Olsen, Sales Vice President, Central Zone, BUNN
• Rebecca Pearson, Manager, Industry Leadership, The Coca-Cola Company
• Jen Rosman, Associate Director of Customer Development, Unilever Food Solutions
• Steven Rothenberg, Area Manager, Hormel Foods
• Sarah Shaffield, National Account Manager, High Liner Foods
• Anne Torregrossa, VP, Client Services, Marriner Marketing
• Eric Vanderheyden, Director Category Marketing, Ventura Foods
• Dave Wicklund, Key Account Manager, Schreiber Foods
IFMA board member and Rich Products Sr. VP Foodservice & Ingredients, Lauren Lopez has been selected to serve as the 2025 Next Gen Execs Board Liaison. “I’m excited to get to know the incoming class,” she said. “Next Gen Execs delivers on its promise to grow executive experience and create an ongoing community. We’re going to accomplish great things in 2025.”
Each Next Gen Exec cohort serves for one year and participates in leadership opportunities through select IFMA programs, events, and other touchpoints. They collaborate to update and build the program in order to provide more opportunities for personal growth, learning, industry visibility and thought leadership. All Next Gen Exec program activities and goals are approved by the IFMA board of directors.
Find out more about the Next Gen Execs program.
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