NextGen Leadership Program

Overview

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.

IDFA's NextGen Leadership Program is sponsored by Producers Dairy.

On July 9, 2020, IDFA announced Cohort 2 of the NextGen Leadership Program, welcoming 28 emerging leaders in the dairy industry to the program's second class.

Program Goals

The program is developed around three core development areas:

• Advocacy
• Leadership Development
• Networking

Eligibility

The application period for the 2020-2021 program closed June 19, 2020. 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.

Contact

If you would like to nominate an employee for the 2021-2022 NextGen Leadership Class, please contact to Colin Newman, Director of Political Affairs and Strategic Programs at cnewman@idfa.org or (202) 220-3518.

Staff Contact

Colin Newman

Director, Political Affairs and Strategic Programs

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Apply

Thank you for your interest in applying to the IDFA NextGen Leadership Program. The 2020-2021 program registration process closed June 19, 2020.

Eligibility

Program participation is limited to representatives of IDFA member companies. All candidates must have the support of their companies to participate.

How to Apply

1. Fill out Application Form. Please submit completed form to Colin Newman at cnewman@idfa.org by June 19, 2020.
2. 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 $1500.00 program fee.

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2020-2021 Schedule

Introduction Meeting

August 11, 2020, 1:30pm EST
Virtual Event

Leadership Workshop

Purposeful Communication for a Positive Culture
September TBD
Virtual Event

IDFA October Board Meetings

Issues Briefing & Segment Board Meetings
October 8, 2020 – October 9, 2020
Virtual Participation

Advocacy Webinar

November TBD
Virtual Event

Dairy Forum 2021

January 24, 2021 – January 27, 2021
Championsgate, FL

Washington DC Advocacy Seminar

March TBD
Washington, DC

IDFA Leadership Symposium

A Leadership Program for Emerging Dairy Leaders
June 14, 2021 – June 17, 2021
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY

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Sponsor

IDFA's NextGen Leadership Program is sponsored by:

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.

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FAQs

What is the NextGen Leadership Program?

The NextGen Leadership Program is a new 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 program fee. Accepted candidates of the Cohort 2 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?

Applications for the 2020-2021 class closed June 19, 2020. Stay tuned for more information on the 2021-2022 class.

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.

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Cohort 1 (2019-2020 Class):

• Ebru Basaran-Shull, Director, Compliance and Government Affairs, Sargento Foods, Inc., Plymouth, Wisc.
• Mark Benson, Vice President Supply Chain, Leprino Foods Company, Denver, Colo.
• Brian Fletcher, Vice President, Commercial/Institutional Service and Sales, Rice Dairy, Chicago, Ill.
• Lucas Fuess, Director of Dairy Market Intelligence, HighGround Dairy, Chicago, Ill.
• David Hakes, Regulatory Product Compliance Manager, Company Affairs, Schreiber Foods, Inc., Green Bay, Wisc.
• Jeff Larson, General Manager, Dairy Operation, H-E-B, San Antonio, Texas
• Megan Lesch, Food Safety and Compliance Manager, Shamrock Foods Company, Phoenix, Ariz.
• Erin Massey, Product Development Manager, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc., Kirkwood, Mo.
• Matt McClelland, Director of Operations, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc., Earth City, Mo.
• Caleb Robinson, Strategy Manager, Saputo Dairy Foods USA, Dallas, Texas
• Michael Sachau, Market Development Director, TC Transcontinental, Ada, Mich.
• Patrick Schallberger, CEO, Hollandia Dairy, San Marco, Calif.
• Matt Wilkinson, General Manager, IT (CIO), Strategic Projects and Contract Management, Great Lakes Cheese, Hiram, Ohio

Cohort 2 (2020-2021 Class):

• Chris Allen, Vice President Dairy Marketing & Econ. Policy, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
• Erika Bognar, Director - Food Safety, Sargento Foods Inc. 
• Colby Butcher, Operations Manager, Plains Dairy, LLC
• Darin Copeland, Public Relations Manager, Prairie Farms Dairy Inc.
• Brian Danahy, Senior Director of Fluid plants, Distribution, and CI, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. 
• Peter Ernster, Vice President Sales, California Dairies Inc.
• Christina Fiocchi, Project Management & Packaging Manager, Saputo Cheese USA Inc.
• Trevor Fleege, Director - Dairy Commodities, Agropur
• John Foster, Global Category Manager, Nestle/Nestrade
• Eric Fuhrmann, Division Change Management Lead, Saputo Cheese USA Inc.
• Stephanie Goodwin, Senior Manager, Federal Government & Industry Affairs, Danone North America
• Jamie Gudgeon, Director of Hauling & Scheduling, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative
• Darin Hanson, Vice President of Milk Supply and Risk Management, Foremost Farms USA
• Kyle Hunter, Vice President, Stanpac Inc.
• Bryan Johnston, Vice President Foodservice, Americas, Fonterra USA Inc.
• Steven Keilman, Corporate Quality and Food Safety Manager, Saputo Dairy Foods USA
• Alison Krebs, Dairy Policy Senior Manager, Leprino Foods Company 
• Donna Krska, Leader of Strategic Sourcing & Procurement, Darigold, Inc. 
• Katsy Leeman, Sanitation Manager, Brewster Cheese Company
• Andy Pfister, Vice President - Procurement/Industrial Sales, Masters Gallery Foods Inc.
• Annie Piepenhagen, Senior Director, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
• Bob Sarver, Director of Operations & Continuous Improvement, Great Lakes Cheese, Co., Inc.
• Kim Slack, Strategic Account Manager, TC Transcontinental Packaging
• Tim Smith, Sales Director, Fonterra USA Inc.
• Leaine Souza, West Region Member Relations Manager, Land O' Lakes, Inc. 
• Brian Sweet, Chief Financial Officer, Producers Dairy Foods, Inc. 
• Martina Woods, Regulatory Scientist, Saputo Dairy Foods USA
• Ryan Yonkman, Vice President, Rice Dairy LLC