Member Services
Board and Employee Relations
Tracy Boyle
Director
As director of board and employee relations, Tracy Boyle oversees all aspects of human resources, including recruiiting, orientation, benefits and training. She also manages the bi-annual meetings of boards of directors, as well as board nominations and correspondence.
Boyle joined the staff in 1987 as an accounting assistant. When the Milk Industry Foundation, the International Ice Cream Association and the National Cheese Institute joined together to form IDFA in 1990, Boyle moved to the marketing department. In 1993, she became executive assistant to the president and chief executive officer, charged with managing the associations' four boards of directors. Boyle has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Towson State University.
Communications
Peggy Armstrong
Director
As director of communications, Peggy Armstrong provides strategic communications counsel to IDFA staff, serves as the association's primary spokesperson and oversees IDFA's external and member communications.
Armstrong has worked for a number of government and public sector organizations in the Washington, D.C., area. Most recently she served as senior director of communications and research for the National Capital Revitalization Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that promoted major economic development projects. Before that, she was communications director and press secretary for Anthony Williams during his tenure as mayor of the District of Columbia.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, Armstrong has served as special assistant for communications for the Office of Policy Development and Research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She began her career developing broadcast programming in Baltimore.
Marti Pupillo
Assistant Director
Marti Pupillo joined IDFA in 2006 as editor of News Update, IDFA's weekly e-newsletter, and its website, www.idfa.org. As a member of the industry's Dairy Communications Management Team, Pupillo partners daily with colleagues on key issues affecting the image of dairy and dairy foods. Together, Pupillo and Armstrong handle media requests while helping staff members prepare for media interviews, write columns and prepare presentations.
Pupillo has more than 20 years of corporate and member communications experience, most recently as director of communications for the Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association in Annapolis, Md. Before that, she led national communications efforts for the management consulting division of (then) Coopers & Lybrand and the Association of Management Consulting Firms in New York.
Pupillo earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind., and attended graduate school at Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.
Meetings and Trade Show
Diana Carmenates, CMP, CAE
Senior Director, Meetings and Educational Services
Throughout the year, Diana Carmenates ensures that dozens of IDFA meetings, conferences and other educational services meet the highest standards of excellence. With more than 17 years of event planning experience for national associations, Carmenates brings a wealth of expertise to every IDFA event.
Most recently she served as director of meetings and special events for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, a national substance-abuse prevention organization in Alexandria, Va. Before that, Carmenates was director of meetings and conventions for the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association. She also was a director in the meeting planning division of Woodward Communications.
A graduate of Boston University, Carmenates holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and an Event Management Certificate from George Washington University. She is also a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), a designation awarded to professionals in the event planning industry. She is fluent in Spanish.
Robin Cornelison
Trade Show Manager
As trade show manager for IDFA, Robin Cornelison coordinates hundreds of vendors and exhibitors for the Food, Dairy and Beverage Exposition at Worldwide Food Expo, which is the largest food and beverage technology event in North America. She is responsible for turning an empty, cavernous convention hall into a well-run exhibit space.
Cornelison previously worked for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), where she was manager of exhibit services for the NAB Show, one of the country's largest annual trade shows. Prior to NAB, Cornelison coordinated multiple trade shows, annual conferences and events for several national organizations.
Cornelison has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Maryland. She is a member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events and is studying to become a Certified Meeting Professional.
Membership Services
Cindy Cavallo
Assistant Director
As assistant membership director, Cindy Cavallo responds to a wide range of inquiries from members and prospective members. She manages recruitment and retention efforts, dues receivables and maintains accurate records that allow the association to effectively serve its members. In addition, she is responsible for the IDFA Membership Directory and Online Buyers' Guide.
Cavallo joined the staff of the Milk Industry Foundation and International Association of Ice Cream Manufacturers in 1984 as executive assistant. When the National Cheese Institute elected to join with MIF and IICA to form the International Dairy Foods Association in 1990, Cavallo was charged with revising the membership process and managing the membership activities for the newly formed association. She began her career at the National Association of Manufacturers.
