“The dairy industry's continued success depends on developing leaders who can navigate change, drive innovation, and build strong teams,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO. “The professionals selected for Cohort 8 have demonstrated exceptional potential, and we applaud the IDFA member companies that are investing in their growth. Through the NextGen Leadership Program, these emerging leaders will gain new perspectives, strengthen their networks, and develop the skills needed to help lead their organizations and our industry into the future.”

 Now in its eighth year, the NextGen Leadership Program is tailored for mid- to senior-level professionals who are preparing to advance into executive leadership roles. Participants build practical leadership skills, deepen their understanding of dairy policy and advocacy, and develop lasting relationships with peers from across the industry. The program’s alumni network now includes a number of CEOs and dozens of senior executives who remain connected through ongoing peer engagement and IDFA events.

“Leadership is not a destination. It’s a continuous commitment to learning, collaboration, and service,” said Heather Soubra, IDFA senior vice president, strategic initiatives and industry relations. “The individuals selected for Cohort 8 have already demonstrated a strong record of impact within their organizations. Through NextGen, they will gain new perspectives, challenge themselves in new ways, and strengthen the leadership pipeline that will guide dairy's future growth and success.”

 The 2026-27 class includes:

• Holly Bode, Senior Corporate Account Manager, Ecolab
• Bridget Doherty, Brand Manager, Innovation, fairlife, LLC
• Sammi Fleckner, Director, Planning & Dairy Analytics, Foremost Farms USA
• Dustin Furney, Director, Procurement, Hudsonville Ice Cream
• Annika Galloway, Director, Sweetened Sales & Communications, Galloway Company
• Marc Granlund, Vice President, Sales, Stanpac Inc.
• Jennifer Harnish, Chief People Officer, Aurora Organic Dairy
• Melissa Holyoke, Executive Director, Food Business Development, Hydrite Chemical Co.
• Tanner Huntley, Director, Procurement, Winona Foods
• Kathleen Irwin, Director, Production, Quality Assurance & Food Safety, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, LLC
• Jared Lierman, Director, Engineering & Maintenance, Idaho Milk Products
• Charles Mack, Director, Product Quality & Technical Services, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.
• Jeffrey McNabb, Category Manager, Global Dairy Procurement, Abbott
• Sarah Michalek, Farm Sustainability Manager, Michigan Milk Producers Association
• Benjamin Murphy, Director, Operations - Food Safety & Quality, Grande Cheese Co.
• Brandon Nazer, Senior Manager, Operations Finance, Lactalis USA
• Jenny Palan, Strategic Marketing Director, Kerry
• Chris Pearl, Director, Product Quality and Technical Services, Agri-Mark, Inc./Cabot 
• Katie Pierce, Business Development Manager, Tetra Pak Inc.
• Micah Purcella, AVP, Quality Assurance, Kemps LLC/DFA Dairy Brands, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
• Benjamin Rager, Vice President, Quality Assurance & Product Development, Galliker Dairy Company
• Faustino Santucci, Director of Category Planning & Development, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative
• Aron Schilsky, Senior Procurement Manager – Operations, Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.
• Polina Surina, Senior Procurement Manager - Operations, Mars Wrigley
• Victoria Val-Aguilar, Vice President, Quality Assurance & Food Safety, Saputo USA
• Tagen Vaughn, Vice President - Legal and Compliance, Sargento
• Chase Vondrak, Manager, Dairy Commodity Risk, Wells Enterprises, Inc.
• Tyler Wookey, Director, FP&A and Treasury, Hilmar
• Matthew Wulf, Partner, Riverview LLP
• Anson Yang, Global Account Director, Fonterra (USA) Inc.