The board of directors for the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., announced the selection of Yin Rani as CEO. Rani brings nearly 25 years of integrated marketing experience across consumer packaged goods companies and marketing agencies to the fluid milk promotion program.

“The dairy industry has been strategically focused on transformation, and we are thrilled to have Yin Rani lead us through this journey," said Ed Mullins, CEO and executive vice president of Prairie Farms and chairman of the MilkPEP board of directors. "Yin brings a wealth of marketing prowess and a unique vision that will be instrumental in demonstrating milk’s salience in people’s lives. Her approach to navigating the complex marketing ecosystem is exactly what this category needs.”

Rani was most recently vice president, chief customer experience officer for the Campbell Soup Co., where she was instrumental in modernizing the company’s marketing across content, media, design, martech and digital, MilkPEP said. She also improved the business trajectory for important core brands and new launches. And, in her recent experience as a consultant and interim chief marketing officer, she furthered her appreciation for the need for agility and entrepreneurship to succeed in today's environment.

Before joining Campbell Soup, Rani was president, North America of Universal McCann, the largest operating unit within IPG’s Mediabrands group. She managed more than $7 billion in billings for the full-service media agency with approximately 1,000 employees, MilkPEP said.

A search committee made up of representatives from seven milk brands selected Rani from a large pool of candidates.

“The final decision to put our trust in Yin came with complete alignment across the entire search committee,” said Lynne Bohan, vice president of communications and government affairs, HP Hood, and chair of the CEO search committee. “Not only does she have a proven marketing track record tackling some very similar brand obstacles during challenging times, but she’s also immensely collaborative and has the courage and candor to help continue to drive impact in our industry.”

Rani earned a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration from the Stern School of Business, New York University, and has been recognized with a range of industry awards, both as a marketer and as an advocate for diversity. Those awards include YWCA’s Women of Year, SheRunsIt “Working Mother of the Year” and Brand Innovators Top 50 Women in Marketing. She will replace CEO Julia Kadison, who announced her retirement earlier this year.

“I’m excited, honored and humbled to be taking on the CEO role at MilkPEP,” Rani said. “The milk industry continues to face material challenges that need to be addressed with thoughtful, sustained solutions. The children of America deserve to grow up with milk as a foundational part of their diet, and to carry that commitment into their own families. I look forward to working with the entire industry to help make sure we continue to make an impact.”