CHICAGO, November 17, 2025 — IFMA The Food Away from Home Association welcomed 40+ industry executives to its Next Gen Execs program during the association’s 2025 Presidents Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.

The program offers participants multiple opportunities for professional growth through networking, project development, speaking opportunities, and interaction with industry leaders from across segments. Qualified association member companies nominate candidates to the program. Next Gen Execs are identified within their companies for having inspirational leadership skills coupled with dedication to the industry and potential for executive positions. 

Association President and CEO Phil Kafarakis stated, “We’re grateful to our 2025 Board Liaison to the program, Lauren Lopez, Senior Vice President Foodservice at Rich Products, for her guidance and leadership in growing the Next Gen Execs program. We’re excited to see the 2026 cohort build on that and create an even more robust platform for future program participants.”

Beginning in early November and participating through the 2026 Presidents Conference, the new Next Gen Execs are:


  • Megan Anagnostopoulos, Director, Culinary & Food Experiences - PepsiCo
  • Ryan Anderson, Foodservice Area Manager - Hormel Foods
  • Michele Barker, Director of FS Branded Marketing - The Marzetti Company
  • Alyssa Barrett, Senior Marketing Manager - Rich Products
  • Brittany Drennen Collins, Director, National Sales - PepsiCo
  • Trevor Collins, Account Director - Supper
  • Jessica Dederich, Sales Director - Sensient
  • Eric Dunn, Director of Sales, FS Chains - KERRY
  • Kelly Dykhuizen, Divisional VP, Premier Accounts - Datassential
  • Mary Ellingsen, Director of Customer Care & Demand Planning - Vibrant Beverage. formerly Javo Beverage
  • William Foster, SVP Customer Experience - Royal Cup Coffee and Tea
  • Rachel Hansen, VP Client Services - Foodmix Marketing
  • Matt Haun, Head of Revenue - First Bite
  • Steve Herron, Sr. Manager, National Accounts - Kellanova
  • Cassie Hoover, Sr. Manager Sustainability & Nutrition - Nestlé Professional Solutions
  • Andraes "Drae" Hubbard, Sr. Director, Distribution Relationship Management - The Coca-Cola Company
  • Mike Kleinick, Director of Corporate Accounts - Lamb Weston
  • Jiyeon Lee, Director of Customer Success - Ventura
  • Anna Lutz, Customer Sales Executive - The Hershey Company
  • Lauri Martin, Director of FS Pricing & Analytics - The Marzetti Company
  • Claire McMillin, Client Services Director - Esrock
  • Michelle Milici, Customer Sales Executive - The Hershey Company
  • Kelli Munch Price, Sr. Manager Field Sales - Nestlé Professional Solutions
  • Angie Nannen, National Account Manager - High Liner Foods Inc
  • Sam Newman, Director of Enterprise Accounts – Tastewise
  • Connie Ortman, National Sales Leader - Cargill
  • Matt Petti, Sr. Technical Sales Manager - Sensient
  • Kiana Remagni, Sr. Account Manager, Taste, NAM - dsm-firmenich
  • Nick Ruppel, Unit Manager - Liz's Market - University of Wisconsin
  • Christopher Ruth, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Instacart Business & Supply Chain - Instacart
  • Kate Schaufelberger, Senior Director I, FSOP Marketing Strategy and Integration - The Coca-Cola Company
  • Drew Shields, Solutions Director - iTrade Network
  • Ali Sippel, Account Supervisor - Marriner Marketing
  • Brigette Spinner, VP of Sales - Institutional US, South Region - Ecolab
  • Roula Tamer, Director, Marketing, North America - dsm-firmenich
  • Richard Troy, Sales Director, Convenience - Ventura
  • Stacey Urbaniak, Away From Home Commercial Strategy Director - Kellanova
  • Luanne Wu, Associate Director of Dining Services - UMass Amherst

Association board member and SVP & General Manager of Foodservice, North America, at Lamb Weston, Nichole Montgomery, has been selected to serve as the 2026 Next Gen Execs Board Liaison. “I’m looking forward to working with the incoming class,” she said. “Next Gen Execs really delivers on its promise to build understanding of the executive experience and create an ongoing community. I know the cohort will deliver great things in 2026.”

Each Next Gen Exec participant serves for one year and engages in leadership opportunities through select association touchpoints. They collaborate on team projects to build the program and provide more opportunities for personal growth, learning, industry visibility, and thought leadership. All Next Gen Exec program activities and goals are approved by the association board of directors.

 

Find out more about the Next Gen Execs program. 

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