IFT Announces New Board of Directors

CHICAGO – April 23, 2021 – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) today announced its new Board of Directors, who will take office on September 1, 2021. The Board of Directors sets the organization’s strategic direction, establishes policies, and monitors the implementation of these policies by IFT staff under the direction of the CEO, among several other key responsibilities.

Chris Downs, PhD, General Manager, Crop and Food Science Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland, Australia will serve as IFT President-Elect (2021–2022).

“IFT is uniquely positioned to lead food system professionals in producing foods that are healthy, trusted, and sustainable and that will feed the growing global population,” said IFT President-Elect Chris Downs, PhD. “Professionals from across industry, academia, and governments must mobilize and collaborate globally to meet this significant challenge. As president-elect, I am excited to help guide IFT in developing and delivering its new strategy.”

The 2021-2024 IFT Board of Directors will include:

• William (Bill) Barrier, PhD Chief Strategy Officer, Pecan Deluxe Candy Company, United States
• Nicolas Bordenave, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa, Canada
• Margaret (Peggy) Poole, PhD, Vice President, Tea Division at Bigelow Tea Company, United States
• Gunnar Sigge, PhD, Department Head & Associate Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa

To learn more about the new board members, please visit https://www.ift.org/about-ift/leadership/nominations-and-elections.