Webinars

Jewel Hunt began her career at Safeway while attending college in 1981 as a part-time bakery clerk and cashier in the company’s former Salt Lake City Division. Today, as Group Vice President Fresh Merchandising of Bakery, Deli Food Service, Branded Concepts and ReadyMeals at Albertsons Companies, she is the merchant lead for several departments of the nation’s second largest traditional grocer. Jewel serves on the advisory committees with the board of the International Dairy, Deli, and Bakery Association and she was chairman of the association’s board from 2016 – 2017.

Evan Harrison is the Chief Executive Officer at Kiss the Ground. Evan, a digital music and media pioneer, helped transform iHeartRadio (formerly known as Clear Channel Radio) into a multi-platform content creation company as the President of Digital. After spending a decade at BMG Music, he joined a handful of his BMG colleagues at AOL, where together they created groundbreaking music programs such as AOL Music’s “Sessions” and “First Listen,” which debuted hundreds of new songs by the most prominent artists in the world, putting AOL on the map as a legitimate innovator in the music space. He also held leadership roles at Univision, Townsquare Media, and as a music festival producer. Evan has been recognized in Advertising Age’s “Entertainment A-List,” Details “50 Most Powerful Men under 38,” and New York Observer’s “Power Punk” list and profiled in Billboard, Businessweek, Crain’s, The Hollywood Reporter, New York Times, Reuters, USA Today, Variety and The Wall Street Journal.

Evan’s love for the ocean is what first sparked his crusade and interest in environmentalism, which developed further when he joined the board of Surfrider, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches.

John joined Acosta in 2001 as the first and only company he has been a part of since beginning his professional journey. Prior to joining The Acosta Group John was part of DuBois Foods Ltd a fresh food sales agency located in Upstate NY working to support his families’ business. During his tenure at the Acosta Group John has held multiple positions currently serving as Vice President of Fresh Foods. John is a collaborative leader, enjoys working with others to build strategy, execute said strategy, drive positive change, and create value for all stakeholders. In his free time John enjoys spending time with his family, coaching his daughters travel softball team, is active as part of his son’s Boy Scout troop, and is an avid golfer. John holds a bachelor’s Business Administration degree from St. Bonaventure University (2001) and an Associates in Applied Science Business Marketing degree from Alfred State College (1999).

Jaclyn Oyola (formerly Glatzer) is a dynamic and visionary leader with an outstanding track record of excellence in the food and beverage industry. With a multifaceted approach to her career, Jaclyn adeptly juggles multiple roles, reflecting her passion for innovation and entrepreneurship.

As CEO of World Select Cuts, LLC, a groundbreaking venture offering the first lamb charcuterie, Jaclyn's unwavering commitment to quality and innovation has propelled her company to the forefront of industry conversation. Jaclyn also owns and manages the highly regarded hotel segment conference, Mise, which showcases cutting-edge trends and insights in the hospitality sector. As the VP Client Services of F&B Marketing Collaborative Summit F&B, Jaclyn plays a pivotal role in driving the company's success by delivering exceptional services to clients. With an illustrious career spanning nearly 25 years as a food industry consultant, entrepreneur and chef advocate, Jaclyn's expertise has been sought after by leading brands such as Barilla, Bel Brands, Coca-Cola and Kellogg's. Her contributions include conceiving and activating the multi-faceted Kitchen Collaborative initiative, a partnership with Flavor & the Menu magazine. Jaclyn's passion for connecting people to growth and exposure opportunities is evident in her work, as she continuously strives to bring the best of global cuisine and culture to the thriving US market. Her innovative solutions have helped define the landscape of the food and hospitality industry, leaving a lasting impact on businesses and consumers. Connect with Jaclyn on LinkedIn to stay informed about her latest ventures and insights.

Stacey Brown is a cGMP and SQF Food Safety Auditor at ASI Food Safety with a career in food spanning over 15 years. Stacey has seamlessly transitioned from product development roles with household brands such as Pepperidge Farm, King’s Hawaiian, and Nestle to her current position as a PCQI and HACCP Certified Lead Auditor and food safety consultant.

Stacey is a passionate advocate for food safety and ASI’s go-to mentor for fellow SQF auditors looking to improve their understanding of food safety certification and advance their industry experience. Since she didn’t come from food safety like most auditors, Stacey has a unique view of the challenges for food producers, allowing her the perspective to help organizations solve even the most complex food safety problems. In 2024, Stacey was recognized by the SQF Institute as a finalist for the ‘SQF Auditor of the Year,’ and later took home an Exemplar Global Community Award as an Endorsed Auditor due to her ongoing efforts to foster continuous growth in the world of food safety.

When she’s not helping manufacturers across the country provide the safest possible product to their consumers, Stacey can be found in the kitchen baking her own concoctions or crafting the final pages of her cookbook. When it’s time to re-charge her mental battery, Stacey enjoys binge-watching hockey and spending quality time with family and friends.

Steve Swaffar serves as a regenerative ranching advisor in the Producer Guidance program at Noble Research Institute. He received a Bachelor of Science in systematics and ecology and a Master of Arts in systematics and ecology from the University of Kansas. He grew up working on his grandparents’ wheat and cattle farm in Grant and Garfield counties in northern Oklahoma. Steve has spent the last 25 years working in ag conservation, ag policy and ag systems promotion. During his career, he has visited the farms and ranches of countless regenerative agriculture innovators to learn first-hand about regen cover crop and soil health practices. Steve is an avid gardener and beekeeper and practices regenerative management techniques in these hobbies. Swaffar and his family own a small property where they plan to raise grazing livestock and continue beekeeping.

At Noble, Steve focuses on soil health, ecosystem management and grazing.

Luke is a Senior executive, consultant, and entrepreneur with experience in raising capital, accounting, deduction management, CEO coaching, and retail domination best practices. As the President of Monterrey Provisions, he scaled and grew the company from $32M to $250M+ in revenue, and launched 3 startups along the way. Currently, as CEO and Coach at Vdriven, Luke helps emerging brands in all aspects of retail.

Lisa Jackson, Director of Marketing at FlavorSum, brings more than 30 years of market and consumer research experience. She has supported innovation activities for major CPG and private brand organizations by providing insights that help create connections and build brand loyalty. Her goal with this presentation is to help identify relevant seasonal flavor trends.

Dr. Melissa Cantor, Assistant Professor of Precision Dairy Science at Penn State University, focuses her research on leveraging precision technology and machine learning to advance dairy calf health and welfare. Her work includes developing early detection methods for bovine respiratory disease, identifying chronic illnesses, and exploring non-antibiotic treatments to support calf resilience and reduce disease severity. Dr. Cantor leads a dynamic extension program, directing the PSU Dairy Nutrition Workshop, which connects over 480 dairy nutritionists with the latest industry research. She also spearheads initiatives such as the Calf Success program, which improves calf health management, and a robotics-focused discussion series that promotes producer education and innovative solutions through partnerships with dairy farmers and industry experts.

Chef Nelson Serrano-Bahri’s culinary and food science education, along with his work at Kraft, Nestle, Unilever, as an entrepreneur in his native Puerto Rico, and most recently at Ingredion, have helped contribute to his success. Today, he leverages his experiences in his current role as Director of Innovation for the American Egg Board (AEB). Together with the Eggcelerator Lab, AEB’s Innovation engine, Serrano-Bahri works with food companies, start-ups and entrepreneurs to help them in their quest to create successful food and beverages, while promoting the use and functionality of eggs as a powerhouse clean-label nutritious ingredient.

John boasts a remarkable career in the food industry that spans over three decades, characterized by both depth and breadth of expertise. Currently, he serves as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Expresco Foods, where his strategic vision and leadership will help the teams achieve the company's goals and drive both personal and professional success for all.

Before joining Expresco Foods, John dedicated 26 years to J&J Snack Foods Corp. and Country Home Bakers. His journey in these organizations saw him wear many hats, starting as a bakery technician and advancing through various sales roles. His relentless drive and acumen culminated in his appointment as the Vice President of Bakery & Strategic Account Sales. This trajectory not only highlights his versatility but also his innate ability to adapt and excel in diverse roles within the food industry.

A baker by trade, John’s fundamental skills in the culinary arts have provided a solid foundation for his subsequent roles in sales leadership. His culinary education has equipped him with a unique perspective, allowing him to combine technical know-how with strategic business insights. This rare blend of skills has made him an invaluable asset in any team he has been a part of.

John's passion for food is paralleled by his dedication to fostering growth in others. Whether mentoring emerging professionals or leading teams to new heights, he is committed to helping others achieve their personal and professional best. This commitment to growth and development is a testament to his leadership philosophy and a cornerstone of his professional ethos.

On the home front, John is a devoted family man, sharing his life with his wife and their two adult daughters. Their household is filled with an abundance of love, amplified a quartet of rescued dogs & three 'grandogs'. This vibrant family dynamic reflects John’s compassionate nature and his commitment to making a positive impact, both at home and in his professional life.

Fred Puech is a pricing analytics expert and the founder of Keenalytix, a boutique consultancy specialized in pricing and sales analytics for foodservice and ecommerce businesses. Over his 18 years of experience in pricing as a consultant, Fred has successfully completed more than 120 pricing projects, with B2B and B2C businesses alike, across a wide range of industries. He has worked with over twenty leading and emerging QSR and fast casual brands, as well as with several major food manufacturers. Fred is also an active member of the Professional Pricing Society and a regular speaker at their conferences. Fred has a PhD and MSc in Economics.

With nearly three decades of Consumer Food and Bakery Manufacturing business experience, Deena Pitzele is a former Chief Commercial Officer turned consultant. She has helped several Private Brands Manufacturers and Bakery Manufacturers accelerate growth as both a commercial leader and consultant. Since July 2022, she has been a partner with The Partnering Group in Customer Development Practice.

Deena Pitzele has subject matter expertise working with manufacturers and retailers in the several industries. She started her career with General Mills in 1992 and held several senior sales roles. In 2008, she left to join Supervalu/Albertsons to lead the In Store Bakery business. In 2012, she began a decade of working in Private Equity with middle market private brand consumer food, industrial and ingredient companies.

Her consulting experience includes working with leading manufacturers and retailers on strategy, sales leadership, customer business planning and market activation. She has also been a featured speaker with several industry organizations such as IDDBA, PLMA and WISE. She is known as an industry thought leader with the unique ability to understand clients’ business challenges, analyze market conditions and partner with clients to build the tools necessary for successful and profitable activation.

Deena Pitzele has a BA in Communications from University of Wisconsin – Madison.

I've been with Guilloteau for 4 years, with 2 and a half of those spent in the US. I'm excited to take you on a journey through France (and not just with my accent!). I'm thrilled to present our products and share the story behind our creamy, delicious cheeses with you.

Jason Catlin is Director Customer Success for NIQ BASES and leads the Shopper Solutions team in the development, fielding, analysis, and client delivery of Omnichannel Shopping Fundamentals. Jason has 25 years of experience in the CPG industry across roles in insights, strategy, marketing, and sales. Jason’s deep practical experience is complimented by a MS, Strategic Management from Indiana University and MS, Finance from St. Louis University.

Lisa Jackson, Director of Marketing at FlavorSum, brings more than 30 years of market and consumer research experience to IDDBA members. She has supported innovation activities for major CPG and private brand organizations by providing insights that help create connections and build brand loyalty. Her goal with this presentation is to help IDDBA members identify relevant and targeted flavor trends in the dairy, deli, and bakery categories.

Jeff Gholson joined Rise Baking in 2021 as Senior Vice President of Procurement after serving in a similar role at Brill Incorporated since 2013. In his current position, Jeff oversees Rise's North American Strategic Sourcing team and is focused on exceeding expectations in delivering delicious traditions through raw materials, packaging and indirect purchasing. Jeff has over 35 years of procurement and commodity risk management experience working with major brands including Keystone Foods, Coca-Cola, GoldKist and FC Stone. He served on the Board of the Sweetener Users Association and is the past President of the Southeastern Grain and Feed Association.

Jonna has been an innovator in the fresh foods space for nearly two decades driving the evolution of consumer-centric decision making and big data analytics throughout the perimeter.

Jonna joined Circana in 2016 and leads Circana’s Fresh Foods practice which unlocks the big data power of Circana for perishables suppliers and retailers. She spearheaded developing Circana’s Integrated Fresh solution for sales and shopper tracking across total food and beverage, in partnership with IDDBA and other industry leaders.

Jonna has talked fresh foods to outlets such as NPR and CNN and many others. She co-authors the monthly IDDBA and fresh industry articles with 210 Analytics’ Anne-Marie Roerink and was one of Progressive Grocer’s 2020 Top Women in Grocery.

Mike McCully owns McCully Consulting, a firm that provides strategic consulting services to dairy and food companies. Client projects include business analysis, purchasing and supply chain strategies, market research, and commodity risk management. In addition, McCully Consulting has provided subject matter expertise for global consulting companies, private equity firms, and Wall Street investment banks. Prior to starting McCully Consulting, Mike worked for over 15 years at Kraft Foods where he held management roles in dairy, meat, and grain purchasing. Throughout his career, Mike has provided leadership on dairy industry issues. He has served on the Board of Directors for International Dairy Foods Association’s Milk Industry Foundation, IDFA Dairy Ingredients, and the Dairy Institute of California. He has been a member of IDFA’s Economic Policy Committee, Legislative Oversight Committee, Farm Bill Committee, the National Cheese Institute’s Economic Policy and Legislative Committee, and the California Dairy Institute’s Producer Relations committee.