ARLINGTON, Va. – The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) Board of Trustees met on Tuesday to install new Board leadership and trustees and discuss strategies for the organization’s continued growth over the next five years.
Accomplishments over the past five-year strategic plan, including the release of an expansive pet food ingredient report, the vitamin and amino acid supply chain assessment and six accompanying species-specific mini reports and the Animal Food Industry Sustainability Toolkit, have raised IFEEDER’s visibility with stakeholders. In culmination with its five-year strategic planning cycle, IFEEDER also launched a “Project Warehouse,” an initiative designed to encourage new research, education and sustainability project ideas that support the U.S. animal feed and pet food industry.
“In the last five years, IFEEDER has strengthened its role as a key resource for the animal food industry by advancing research, fostering collaboration and growing engagement across the sector,” said Lara Moody, IFEEDER executive director. “We are excited to continue this momentum and pursue new opportunities that support innovation and education throughout the feed and pet food industries.”
Looking ahead, the Board discussed new strategies for IFEEDER’s next five-year planning cycle, including broadening its research and educational initiatives, advancing industry resiliency and sustainability, and strengthening partnerships to further support the industry.
As part of its business meeting, the IFEEDER Board of Trustees recognized Leigh Ann Sayen, CEO at The Peterson Company, for her leadership as Board chair for the 2025-26 IFEEDER fiscal year, which ended April 30, and installed Dan Meagher, president and CEO at Novus International, Inc., as the new chair for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which began May 1. Susanna Elliot, chief marketing and communications officer at Alltech, Inc., will serve as the IFEEDER Board vice chair.
With the installation of three new trustees (noted with asterisks*), the IFEEDER Board of Trustees includes: Eric Arnold of Bill Barr & Co.*; Nate Bingaman of D1 Resources; Elliott; Meagher; Rebecca Mowen of Akralos Animal Nutrition; Steve Lerner, Ph.D., of Novenesis; Dan Rice of Western Milling; Chad Risley, Ph.D., of Planet Bioscience Pte. Ltd.; Nick Rozzi, Ph.D., of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Sarah Schuling, Ph.D., of NutriQuest*; and Marguerite Tan of the National Pork Board*.
IFEEDER would like to thank the outgoing trustees for their service: Karl Thoene of CHS Inc.; Juan Tricarico, Ph.D., of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy; and John Akridge of MFA Incorporated.
