Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak named International Food Information Council CEO

The International Food Information Council has named Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak as its new chief executive officer, effective May 1.

Reinhardt Kapsak served for the past five years as president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation, where she led the organization’s efforts to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. She is returning to IFIC after a previous tenure from 2000 to 2012, including service as senior director of health and wellness. Reinhardt Kapsak also worked in several roles at Monsanto, now Bayer Crop Science, from 2012 to 2016.

“While there are many challenges facing the global food system today, I see many opportunities to drive meaningful change and foster innovative solutions that will ultimately benefit the health and well-being of consumers worldwide,” Reinhardt Kapsak said in the release. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to return to my professional roots and serve the dedicated IFIC staff, Board of Trustees, partners, and stakeholder community as CEO. Together, we will advance the food systems dialogue through research and science-based communications, carrying forth the mission of this great organization and forging new paths.”

The council, according to the group’s website, is a nonprofit educational organization with a mission to "effectively communicate science-based information about sustainable food systems, with a focus on food safety and nutrition."

“Wendy’s transformative and results-oriented leadership, coupled with her significant food and nutrition experience in various sectors, make her the ideal candidate to lead IFIC into the future,” Russell Dyer, IFIC co-chair and chief communications officer for Mondelēz International, said in a news release. “The board is thrilled to welcome Wendy and looks forward to the organization continuing its important work fostering an environment where science informs food decisions.”

Reinhardt Kapsak is poised to help IFIC deliver on its mission to effectively communicate science-based information about sustainable food systems, with a focus on food safety and nutrition, according to the group’s leaders.

“Having a leader with proven CEO experience and a passionate, people-first approach as well as food, nutrition, and agriculture subject matter expertise will serve IFIC well now and in the future,” Regan Bailey, IFIC co-chair and associate director for the Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture, Texas A&M University, said in the release. “We are confident that her inspirational leadership will propel IFIC to new heights.”