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
IDFA's NextGen Leadership Program Cohort 3 is sponsored by:
Eligibility
The application period for Cohort 3 (2021-2022) program is now closed. Applications for the Cohort 4 class (2022-2023) will open in May 2022.
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, Industry Relations and Political Affairs at cnewman@idfa.org or (202) 220-3518.
Thank you for your interest in applying to the IDFA NextGen Leadership Program. The application period for Cohort 3 (2021-2022) program is now closed. Applications for the Cohort 4 class (2022-2023) will open in May 2022.
Eligibility
Program participation is limited to representatives of IDFA member companies. All candidates must have the support of their companies to participate.
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.
2021-2022 Schedule
Welcome Webinar (Virtual)
August 17, 2021 Zoom
Washington Seminar (In-Person)
October 26, 2021 - October 28, 2021 Washington, DC
Purposeful Communication for Positive Culture with Susan Paley (Virtual Workshop)
November 17, 2021 Zoom
Dairy Forum 2022 (In-Person)
January 23, 2022 – January 26, 2022 Palm Desert, CA
Spring Leadership Webinar (Virtual Workshop)
March 2022 Zoom
Spring Meetings of the IDFA Executive Council & Industry Segment Boards (In-Person)
May 16, 2022 - May 18, 2022 Austin, TX
IDFA Leadership Symposium 2022 (In-Person)
June 13, 2022 – June 16, 2022 Cornell University - Ithaca, NY
NextGen Closing Webinar (Virtual)
June 2022 Zoom
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 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 $1,500.00 program fee. Accepted candidates of the Cohort 3 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 2021-2022 class opens on May 17, 2021
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 3 (2021-2022 Class):
Mike Agate, Turner Dairy Farms, Inc. m
James Anderson, California Dairies, Inc.
Ivan Beck, Agropur Cooperative
Mindy Berrey, Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Kristen Coady, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
James De Jong, Glanbia Nutritionals
Derek DeGroot, Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc.
Michael Dudas, Schuman Cheese
Kathryn Egan, Crystal Farms Dairy Company
Thomas Filak, Dairy.com
Steve Gulley, DairyAmerica
Marissa Hake, fairlife, LLC
Heather Iafrate, Norseland Incorporated
Marvin Jones, Bel Brands USA, Inc.
Mara Kamat, Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc.
Kelly Kerrigan, Michigan Milk Producers Association
Jimmy Lawhorn, Blue Bell Creameries, L.P.
Brian Loch, Saputo Dairy Division USA
Kate Lott, Tillamook County CreameryAssociation
Florian Middelhuis, Idaho Milk Products
Tracy Mobley, The Kroger Co.
Kristin Naranjo, Valley Milk LLC
Jose Quijada, Ecolab
Patti Schaefer, First District Association
Sean Simonian, Producers Dairy Foods, Inc.
Kristine Stoll, Schreiber Foods, Inc.
Brad Suhling, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.
Rachel Turgasen, Foremost Farms USA
Eric Vorpahl, Masters Gallery Foods, Incorporated
Zachary Waite, Hershey Creamery Company
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.
