To prepare for the future and retain top talent, organizations need to provide learning and professional development programs for their next generation of leadership. At IDFA we are dedicated to providing resources to our members to ensure positive growth within their companies.
The NextGen Leadership program is designed to support, guide and prepare mid-senior level dairy industry professionals ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. This unique program convenes classes of IDFA members for a multi-faceted, year-long curriculum. The program equips participants with skills required to successfully conquer business demands today – and in the future. Participants build relationships with their peers, develop leadership skills and learn to become advocates for the dairy industry. The program strives to provide dairy professionals with the knowledge and networking opportunities to become future leaders in the dairy industry.
Program Goals
The program is developed around three core development areas:
Advocacy
Leadership Development
Networking
Eligibility
The application period for the Cohort 5 class (2023-2024) is now closed. The application period for the Cohort 6 class (2024-2025) will launch in May 2024.
Program participation is limited to representatives of IDFA member companies. All candidates must have the support of their companies to participate, and they must commit to participation in the entire program, including attendance at all events. Candidates who wish to apply must complete an application.
Thank you for your interest in applying to the IDFA NextGen Leadership Program. The application period for the Cohort 5 class (2023-2024) is now closed. The application period for the Cohort 6 class (2024-2025) will launch in May 2024.
When you submit your application form, please be sure to include supplemental items which include the following: cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation from company sponsor.
Note: Your application will not be considered until you have submitted the required supplemental items. Accepted applicants will be responsible for a $5,000.00 program fee.
2023-2024 Schedule
Washington Leadership & Advocacy Seminar (In-Person)
September 12, 2023 – September 14, 2023 Washington, DC
Fall Leadership Webinar Virtual Workshop I
October 2023 Zoom
Fall Leadership Webinar Virtual Workshop II
November 2023 Zoom
Dairy Forum 2024 (In-Person)
January 21, 2024 - January 24, 2024 Phoenix, AZ
Spring Leadership Webinar Virtual Workshop
March 2024 Zoom
Spring Meetings of the IDFA Executive Council & Industry Segment Boards (In-Person)
May 6, 2024 – May 8, 2024 Savannah, GA
IDFA Leadership Symposium 2024 (In-Person)
June 2024
Sponsor
Please find the NextGen Leadership Program Sponsor Prospectus via the link below to explore the opportunity your organization has to support and empower the next generation of leaders in the dairy industry. Please contact Melissa Lembke at mlembke@idfa.org to inquire more about a potential sponsorship.
The NextGen Leadership Program is an IDFA People Strategy initiative designed to support, guide and prepare industry professionals ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. This unique program will convene a class of IDFA members for a multi-faceted year-long program.
The NextGen Leadership program will equip participants with skills required to successfully conquer business’ demands today – and in the future. Participants will build relationships with their peers, develop leadership skills and learn to become advocates for the dairy industry.
Who is invited to apply to the NextGen Leadership Program?
Program participation is open to representatives of IDFA member companies. All candidates must have the support of their companies to participate. This program is geared toward mid-senior level dairy industry professionals.
Does my company have to be an IDFA member to apply to NextGen Leadership Program?
Program participation is limited to representatives of IDFA member companies.
Is there a cost to joining the program?
Yes, there is a $5,000.00 program fee. Accepted candidates of the Cohort 5 class will be contacted with payment instructions.
If my company isn’t an IDFA member, is there an extra fee to join?
At this time, the NextGen Leadership Program is only open to IDFA members.
How do I join the NextGen Leadership Program?
The application period for the Cohort 5 class (2023-2024) is now closed. The application period for the Cohort 6 class (2024-2025) will launch in May 2024.
Can more than one person from my company participate in the program?
Yes, more than one person per company can apply to be part of the NextGen Leadership Program.
Cohort 5 (2023-2024 Class):
Sponsored by:
Panna Agrawal, Vice President, Operations, Saputo USA
Brianne Alair, Financial Controller, Idaho Milk Products, Inc.
Joshua Bryant, Senior Director – Compliance, Sargento Foods Inc.
Jeff Carney, Corporate Controller, Hilmar Cheese Company
Nicole Davies, Senior Manager, Data and Automation Technologies, Grande Cheese Company
Ryan Dykstra, Processing Customer Manager, Cheese and Whey, Tetra Pak Inc.
Brian Fiscalini, CEO, Fiscalini Farmstead
Ernesto Franco, Director of Logistics, Shehadey Family Foods
Rick Gessler, Vice President of Engineering, Delkor Systems
Stephanie Gigante, Vice President of Retail Sales, Shamrock Farms
Calvin Gregorich, Vice President, Ingredients Division, Grassland Dairy Products Inc.
Laura Hill, Dairy Supply Optimization Leader, The Kroger Co.
Dino Holmquist, Vice President of Business Development, Eurofins DQCI
Sudeep Jain, Director of Quality, Michigan Milk Producers Association
Duncan Jochimsen, Director of Dairy Procurement, Milk Specialties Global
Justin Laabs, Senior Product Development Manager, Tillamook County Creamery Association
Michael Lehmann, Vice President of Sales, Winona Foods
Casey Liddicoat, Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations, Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.
Kimberlee Malin, Innovation Manager, Wells Enterprises, Inc.
Doug Martin, General Counsel and Vice President of Compliance, Blue Bell Creameries
Ryan McDonnell, Senior Director - Quality and Food Safety, Foremost Farms USA
Becky Pearson, Vice President NA Cheese Sales, Glanbia Nutritionals, Inc
Cody Renard, Director Industrial Sales & Key Accounts, Agropur
Leroy Schneider, Director of Distribution, Crystal Creamery Inc.
Cheslie Stehouwer, Director of Sales & Marketing, Continental Dairy Facilities, LLC
Steve Turner, Director, Marketing & Customer Service, Turner Dairy Farms, Inc.
Matt Vanic, Cheese Plant Manager, MWC
Annie Waring, Director of Business Development, Americold Logistics
Beth Wells, Vice President of Quality, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley
Renee Yahnke, Sourcing Director, Schreiber Foods Inc.
Cohort 4 (2022-2023 Class):
Sponsored by:
Nathan Bass, Vice President of Operations, Valley Queen Cheese
Gale Beard, Director, Quality Assurance, Grande Cheese Company