As our organizations kick off the exciting work of bringing our recent three-year Strategic Plan to life, the PBFA and PBFI teams understand the necessity of community-based leadership and the value of the contributions, expertise, and nuanced perspectives that comprise our diverse member community. That’s why we are proud to welcome the new members of our Policy, Sustainability, and Membership committees, which will drive meaningful conversation around key issues and play a vital role in the strategic direction of PBFA’s work and priorities.
Our committee members represent a broad range of plant-based food companies, ingredient suppliers, and affiliate and investor members–and together, paint a full picture of our 350+ members and the broader plant-based foods industry.
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee plays a key role in shaping PBFA’s federal and state policy work, harnessing our membership’s collective expertise to champion, strengthen, and elevate the plant-based foods industry. Key focal areas for this group will include defending our sector against burdensome labeling challenges, and guiding PBFA/I’s strategy around key policy opportunities like the U.S. Farm Bill, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and more.
Committee Members:
Co-Chair: Jaime Athos, CEO of Tofurky
Cheryl Dreyer, Director, Regulatory Policy & Intelligence at Kerry
Sara Fletcher, Communications and Public Affairs Director at Oatly
Rodolfo Garza, Global Disruptor for Plant Based Foods at Sigma Foods (Better Balance Foods)
Elgeo Harris, Manager, Government Affairs at Bunge North America
Jessica Hulze Dillon, Director, Soil & Climate Alliance at Green America Center for Sustainability Solutions
Tina Karzen, Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager at Roquette Americas
Lauren Latchford, Policy and Impact Manager at Finless Foods
Kyra Lindemann, Head, Corporate Affairs & Communications NA at Upfield
Jody Mason, Senior Manager, State Government & Industry Affairs at Danone North America
Nick Persky, Corporate Counsel at Beyond Meat
Katrina Picon, Director of Communications at Califia Farms
Jo Saint-George, Chair and General Counsel at HBCU College of Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine
Sustainability Committee
The Sustainability Committee will come together to identify key insights and meaningful ways to advance and promote the positive environmental impact of plant-based foods. Through their committee work, members will influence PBFA’s slate of opportunities for members to get more involved in the sustainability space, from participating in life cycle assessments to recommending education and action to lower the environmental and climate impact of production, packaging, and other activities.
Committee Members:
Co-Chair: Sadrah Schadel, CCO & Co-Founder at No Evil Foods
Karyn Andrew, Director of Marketing at Finless Foods
James Curley, Co-Founder, EVP Global Business Development at The Planting Hope Company
Sara Fletcher, Communications and Public Affairs Director at Oatly
Nathaniel Gorance, Chief of Staff at Impossible Foods
Ryan Haugh, East Coast Sales Manager at ProXES
Jessica Hulze Dillon, Director, Soil & Climate Alliance at Green America Center for Sustainability Solutions
Prashant Jairaj, Vice President, Plant-Based Consumer Products at Global Food and Ingredients Inc.
Lonica Kufner, Associate Director of Business Development and Project Management at OmniFoods / Green Monday
Joe Loria, Director of Communications & Marketing at Zero Egg
Rachel Novack, Research and Development Intern at Third Wave Bioactives
Christina O’Keefe, Director of Sustainability – North America at Kerry
Kristine Sanchagrin, Chief Commercial Officer at MyForest Foods
Nicola Shaw, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility & Communication at Daiya Foods
Caroline Stevens, Product and Strategy at Superfoods Pantry LLC
Membership Committee
As PBFA grows in line with our strategic goals, our Membership Committee will play an essential role in guiding our efforts to better serve and support our diverse, cutting-edge member community. Committee members will help PBFA shape our ever-expanding suite of member benefits, engage our current members, and support recruitment efforts.
Committee Members:
Co-Chair: Bill Glaser, CEO & Co-founder, Outstanding Foods
Jorge Azevedo, Chief Growth Officer, Planterra Foods
Scott Cowger, VP Sales Manager, in charge of R&D as well, CII
Olukoya Davis, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Misha’s Kind Foods
Melinda Goodman, President, FullTilt Marketing
Steven Griswold, President/CEO, Vegan and Animal Professionals Insurance Agency
AnnMarie Kraszewski, Application Scientist, Oterra
Kate Mann, Founder & CEO, Bold Palate Foods
Danny O’Malley, President & Founder, Before the Butcher
Carolyn Smith, Vice President of International Marketing, Big Mountain Foods
Paul Turcotte, Director of Development, Passion Placement
Jamie Valenti-Jordan, CEO, Catapult Commercialization Services
Peter van Dijken, Owner & Founder, Green Boy Group
Michelle Wolf, CEO, New Wave Foods
George Wright, Director Industry Relations, Organic Food Brokers