Incorporating IFT in Your Career

Michael D Carson

Michael Carson studied Food Science at the University of Illinois and graduated in May of 2008. Upon graduation he started work as a technical sales account manager for Ingredients, Inc. and now is working as a technical sales regional manager for Van Hees, Inc. On a volunteer basis, Michael has become very involved with IFT, currently serving on the New Professionals Task Force as well as the Executive Board of the Chicago Section of IFT. Prior to his current position, Michael was co-chair, then chair of the Chicago Section IFT New Professionals.

Sarah E Smith-Simpson

Sarah Smith-Simpson is currently a Senior Scientist within the Sensory & Consumer Insights team for Nestle Infant Nutrition in Fremont, MI. Sarah joined the Sensory and Consumer Insights department of Gerber in 2006 as a Sensory Analyst partnering in product launches for Infant baby food and beverages. She has continued in the same department following Nestlé’s acquisition of Gerber. Previous to joining Gerber, she worked in the food regulatory arena providing litigation support for food product defense liability cases at Shook, Hardy, and Bacon law firm. Sarah began her IFT involvement as a Student Representative to the Great Lakes Section of IFT and volunteered as the Operations Chair of IFTSA before graduating. Sarah is currently the Chair Elect of the Great Lakes Section of IFT, the Co-Chair of the New Professionals Task Force, and an active participant in the Sensory and Consumer Sciences Division of IFT. Sarah holds a PhD degree from Rutgers University in Food Science, a MS degree in Food Science from Michigan State University, and a BA degree also from Michigan State University in Nutritional Sciences.

Holly D Ramage

Holly Ramage is a North Carolina native and received her BS and MS in Food Science from North Carolina State University. Upon graduation, she accepted a position at Frito Lay, Plano Texas. Holly supported seasoning and flavor development for new innovation on Doritos, Cheetos, and Sunchips, and is currently supporting innovation and productivity initiatives for Frito Lay’s dip portfolio. Holly has been leading the New Professionals group of the Longhorn IFT Section since 2011.

Anna Ylijoki

Anna Ylijoki is the manager of component relations at IFT where she works within the membership department and works closely the student association, new professionals, university department heads, and Higher Education Review Board. Prior to IFT, Anna served as the manager of collegiate chapters at the American Marketing Association (AMA) where she managed over 340 collegiate chapters across North America, was the program manager for the annual AMA International Collegiate Conference and the coordinator for Alpha Mu Alpha, AMA’s honorary society. As a chapter & region consultant at the Appraisal Institute, Anna worked with chapter leaders and staff in strategic planning, program and leader development as well as chapter operations. Anna also worked as an executive director for five (5) different associations at an association management company. 

 Anna holds a B.A. in business with a concentration in global business from the University of Florida and a graduate certificate in industrial & organizational psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. And is currently serving on ASAE’s Young Association Executives committee.