Kristina Bierschwale is the Vice President of Sales and Customer Development at Where Food Comes From, Inc. (WFCF), North America’s leading third-party verification and certification company. She works with dairy, meat, and poultry customers across the supply chain, helping them meet public and private industry standards, including WFCF CARE Certified, SQF, USDA Organic, and international export requirements.
With over 20 years of experience in quality assurance, food safety, marketing, export sales, grocery retail procurement, and product development, Kristina has played a key role in product launch campaigns showcasing WFCF labeling programs.
A Texas Hill Country native, Kristina earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Science from Texas A&M University. She lives in Mason, TX, with her husband and three children.
Stacey Brown is an SQF, cGMP, and CSQ Lead Auditor at ASI with a career in food spanning over 15 years. Stacey has 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. Due to her ongoing efforts to foster continuous growth in the world of food safety, Stacey received the Exemplar Global Community Award as an Endorsed Auditor in 2024.
Corey pushes the limits to simplify processes, enhance sustainability, establish standards, and improve quality, ultimately driving operational excellence and innovation. He has over 20 years of experience in quality, production, and plant management at Ring Container Technologies, a manufacturer of plastic containers for the food, pet care, and chemical markets.
As Ring’s Operations Improvement Manager, he supports all sites globally to enhance quality, process control, food safety, and operational efficiency. Corey’s extensive responsibilities include the food safety management system, customer and regulatory standards, supplier approval, automation technologies, quality systems, data analysis, and training.
Experienced professional with 25+ years in food and certification industries. Having the privilege to live and work in numerous countries around the world, I developed an excellent understanding for how to get things done in various functions and with different cultures. I built a unique profile of working with IS/IT Systems, driving Business Excellence for global projects. Also with conformity assessment and management systems, driving compliance and improvement in regional operational roles. My passions are people, process and systems enabling me to see the bigger picture and connect the dots cross-functionally in a value chain. This translates into managing effective teams, driving the right results and increasing efficiencies.
Ashley Eisenbeiser is the Vice President of Food and Product Safety Programs at FMI – The Food Industry Association. With a background in food science and food safety, Ashley supports FMI’s members on scientific and technical issues, food and agriculture regulatory policy, and food safety training programs. Ashley is a Certified Food Scientist, serves on the Board of Directors for the Partnership for Food Safety Education, and is a member of several professional associations. Ashley received her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Food Science and Technology from Virginia Tech.
Geoff Farrell, Global Senior Techncial Manager with NSF is responsible for maintaining and driving the SQF Program forward to ensure that all accreditation requirements have been met. He has been in the food industry for over 25 years and has spent the previous 10 years as a food safety auditor with NSF auditing to multiple schemes. Prior to that he has worked with Clearwater Seafoods, Frito Lay/Pepsico.
Kristie Grzywinski is an accomplished Technical Director responsible for Learning and Development for the SQF Institute. With extensive experience in designing and managing global training programs, Kristie excels at creating innovative education solutions, developing competency-based curricula, and driving learning initiatives that generate significant organizational impact. Known for their strategic vision, Kristie has successfully SQFI’s expanded learning programs to reach diverse audiences, fostering professional growth and upholding industry standards. Her expertise includes curriculum design, certification development, and the development of implementation tools that support measurable success.
Lainie Hidalgo, MS is a Quality Assurance Manager with Publix Super Markets Inc. Lainie has nearly ten years of Publix service in quality assurance roles in deli and bakery manufacturing, and currently manages the Quality Assurance department at their Deli Manufacturing establishment providing both USDA and FDA products to Publix retail stores.
Lainie holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Master of Science in Medical Sciences, both from the University of South Florida. Lainie holds several food safety credentials including Advanced HACCP, FSPCA Preventive Control of Human Foods, and is the SQF Practitioner at the Deli Manufacturing establishment that produces notable items for Publix such as Buffalo Chicken Dip, Southern Style Potato Salad, Oven Roasted Turkey Breast and Tavern Ham featured in the Deli case and Pub Subs.
Mason manages RESOLVE’s Global Alliance to Advance Reuse (PR3), an initiative to standardize and scale reusable packaging systems and infrastructure. Mason led RESOLVE’s accreditation as an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer in 2023 and now overseeing the development of seven foundational standards meant to enable interoperability among reuse systems, maximize efficiencies, and avoid the fragmentation that hampers current waste systems. As a new SDO, RESOLVE is hyper-focused on building equitable standards-setting processes and bringing non-traditional stakeholders to the table – believing that equity in process contributes to equity in outcomes.
Mason’s background is in conflict resolution. He has ten years of professional experience as a meditator and consensus builder. Please also talk to me about football, golf, all things fantasy and sci-fi, overly complex board games, and the joys of living with toddlers.
Shalonda has been with Conagra Brands for 26 years, during which she has held various positions, including Chemist, FS&Q Auditor Manager, and most recently, FSQRA Manager for Co-Manufacturing and Audits. Throughout her tenure, Shalonda has actively participated in cross-functional committees responsible for reviewing and approving new and significantly revised procedures. She has also contributed to the development of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and the creation of an internal audit template. Additionally, Shalonda has been a member of the SQF Conference Planning Committee on multiple occasions. Since 2013, she has held certifications as an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor and ASQ Certified HACCP Auditor.
Dr. Prit Hora holds a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences and a Master’s in Food Sciences and works with Bureau Veritas Certification North America (BVCNA). With over 20 years of experience in food safety and quality assurance, Dr. Hora has held roles in both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the private sector.
An expert in developing and implementing Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), Dr. Hora specializes in process improvements, operational excellence, training, and regulatory compliance for food categories including bakery, dairy, meat, and grain processing. He is a Certified HACCP Auditor (CHA), SQF Lead Auditor, and holds certifications in BRC Global Standards.
Dr. Hora has provided consulting, training, and auditing for SFCR, SQF, and BRCGS standards, helping organizations enhance food safety and quality. His work has driven success in regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and preventive control initiatives across the food industry.
With over 25 years of global experience in the food industry, Amit is a results-oriented leader in quality and food safety. He has worked across diverse markets in India, Australia, the Middle East, and Canada, specializing in product categories such as bread, biscuits, confectionery, snack food, frozen breads, and bulk oils.
As Director of Quality and Food Safety at Bunge Canada, Amit leads a team committed to upholding the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance. A trained SQF Lead Auditor, Six Sigma Black Belt, and MBA graduate in Food and Agribusiness, he uses his expertise to drive innovation, continuous improvement, and best practices.
Amit is passionate about coaching his team and fostering a culture of quality and engagement to ensure Bunge remains a trusted partner for customers and stakeholders.
Hal King, Ph.D., is the Managing Partner at Active Food Safety, an Advisory Services partnership for the food industry. Hal is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Public Health. Hal is the author of several books on the corporate governance of food safety management in the foodservice industry, and the author of numerous food industry publications that help the industry identify risk and prevent foodborne disease outbreaks.
Hal’s new book Food Safety Leadership in the Business of Food Safety, features business best practices from several food safety business leaders in our industry. Hal is the recipient of the 2018 NSF International Food Safety Leadership and Innovation Award, and is formally the Director of Food and Product Safety at Chick-fil-A Inc. where he led the Food Safety Management Program for over 10 years.
Jonathan Lackie has over 14 years of experience within the food certification industry. Previously having specialized in organic certification for the fast-growing Natural Foods market, he has worked with a broad spectrum of clients – from bootstrap entrepreneurs to industry leading multinational CPGs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California Santa Barbara as well as a Master of Business Administration from San Diego’s Point Loma Nazarene University.
Dr. Tatiana Lorca is the VP of Food Safety & Quality Assurance for Canteen (Compass Group North America’s largest sectors) whose business encompasses vending, food manufacturing and foodservice. She is responsible for the management and integration of quality management and improvement programs, as well as field compliance for regulatory and company practices.
Dr. Lorca has over 22 years of work experience in the fields of global food safety standards development, training, auditing, consulting and supplier and crisis management within food the food industry. In her previous role she was responsible for supply chain QA activities including supplier maintenance and management of customer complaints. She holds masters and doctoral degrees in food science and technology, is an active member of SQF Technical Working Groups as well as the Conference for Food Protection Council III. Dr. Lorca is additionally an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Virginia Tech’s Food Science Department.
Dr. Lucore received her M.S. degree in Poultry Science and her Ph.D. in Food Science at North Carolina State University. She joined Shearer’s Foods, LLC in 2017 and has more than 20 years in the practical application of food safety principles in U.S.D.A and F.D.A. manufacturing operations. Dr Lucore has spent her career creating training, tools and resources to prevent, minimize, and manage risk which, in additional to recall preparedness and execution, has a natural partnership with people safety initiatives; developing crisis management preparedness for business continuity and the wider topic of risk management.
Dr. Douglas L. Marshall is Chief Scientific Officer with Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories. He also serves as Technical Director for the Refrigerated Foods Association. Formerly he was Associate Dean and Professor of Public Health, College of Natural and Health Sciences, University of Northern Colorado and a Contributing Editor of the scientific journal Food Microbiology. His career focus is to improve the microbiological quality and safety of foods, with numerous publications and consultations in the area. He has received the Mississippi Chemical Corporation Award of Excellence for Outstanding Work and the International Association for Food Protection Educator and Harold Barnum Industry Awards. He is a Certified Food Scientist (CFS) and a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists.
Renee McVey is the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager at Redbarn Pet Products, bringing 6 years of industry experience as an organically grown practitioner who began at the farm harvest level. She is one of the first Certified SQF Practitioners and holds certificates in HACCP, PCQI for Human Food and Pet Food, and Internal Auditing.
Currently completing a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Food Science from Kansas State University (May 2025), Renee returned to school to expand her knowledge and advance her career while working in the industry. She is also actively involved with the SQFI Technical Work Group for Pet Food and Animal Feed for Edition10. Known for her leadership, integrity, and focus on continuous improvement, Renee has built food safety systems from the ground up and is committed to driving innovation and fostering a culture of transparency while always striving for both personal and professional growth.
Kris Middleton has been involved in the food safety auditing business since 2003 and involved with SQF since 2009. Throughout the years Kris has worked as an Auditor, Trainer, Technical Manager, and Program Manager at several different Certification Bodies and Training Centers. He is devoted and passionate about World Class service in any area that he is in with a focus on customer experience. Customers greatly appreciate his style, knowledge, and positive attitude, and energy that he brings to the table in anything that he is a part of. Kris has previously been a part of the SQFI Technical Advisory Committee, has recently been part of the SQFI Technical Working Group for Pet Food Ed. 9.0, was part of the SQFI Retail Code Working Group when the code was first established, is an active member in the GFSI Technical Working Group for Services Provisions, and participates in the International Association of Accredited Registrars Food Group.
Goranka has over 35 years of experience in training, auditing, and consulting on Food Safety and Quality Management Systems. She works with cross-functional teams to establish effective total quality management programs.
A Certified HACCP Manager and GFSI Consultant and Trainer, Goranka is a Lead Instructor for SQF, BRCGS ATP, FSSC 22000, HACCP (International HACCP Alliance), and FDA Preventive Controls (FSPCA).
Her expertise includes Food Safety QMS development, GFSI certification preparation, training program development, continuous improvement, sustainability, and auditing. She is well-versed in North American and EU regulations, helping businesses bridge compliance gaps for FSMA, BRCGS, and SQF.
With a vision for industry growth, Goranka partners with organizations to elevate food safety standards and drive operational excellence.
With over 40 years of experience, Rajko specializes in food safety, quality management, and regulatory compliance. He has developed and implemented ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and GFSI-based systems (BRCGS, SQF, FSSC 22000) across various food sectors, including meat, poultry, seafood, bakery, beverages, and pet food. Rajko has also designed and delivered competency-based training programs, enhancing knowledge of food safety and regulatory standards. His expertise includes gap assessments, audits, SOP development, employee training, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
Marcus Puente commenced his career with Tyson Foods in 2013 after completing his bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University. Throughout his tenure at Tyson Foods, he has held various roles within FSQA, working in diverse process environments including poultry harvest, RTE meat production, and supplier compliance. During this period, he earned a Master’s degree in Food Safety from the University of Arkansas and attained his ASQ Certified Quality Auditor certification. In his current capacity, Marcus is accountable for regulatory compliance for Tyson Foods' Prepared Foods Business Unit. Prior to his tenure at Tyson Foods, he served honorably in the United States Marine Corps.
Coming soon.
Experienced food safety professional with over 25 years in the food industry from "farm to fork" in manufacturing and food safety certification management.
Stefanie helps organizations large and small across the supply chain to open market opportunities utilizing her in-depth knowledge of retailer requirements and GFSI benchmarked standards.
Stefanie's technical expertise and certification food safety leadership experience support the success of operations from primary production, processing and distribution through retail and food service.
Shawna L. Wagner is currently the Vice President and General Manager of Certification Services for AIB International, Inc. She has over 25 years of extensive experience in the food industry, particularly in food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. Her academic credentials, including a Master of Jurisprudence in Global Food Law and a B.S. in Biology, which further bolster her in-depth knowledge of the legal and scientific dimensions of food safety. Her career began with a focus on meat processing and slaughter facilities, where she developed a strong foundation in HACCP, sanitation practices, and regulatory standards and then transitioned to the certification standards. Shawna was the recipient the SQF Auditor of the year award in 2019. To contact Shawna, please email swagner@aibinternational.com.
Homeland Security, Global Food Defense and Law Enforcement expert Rod Wheeler is the founder and CEO of the Global Food Defense Institute which provides educational, training and certification programs in Food Defense and Crisis Management for the food, agricultural and chemical industries to ensure confidence and protection and to guard against intentional contamination or sabotage. He is a former “all-star” Homicide Detective with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington DC and former investigator for the State of Ohio Attorney General. Rod has also previously served as a Senior Crime/Law Enforcement and Domestic Terrorism Expert for the Fox News Channel since 2002. Rod has assisted dozens of US-based companies in developing Global Security Plans, Vulnerability Assessments and Procedures and corresponding training programs.
Amanda Wilder holds an M.S. in Food Science from Kansas State University and B.S. in Food Science from the University of Idaho. While attending KSU, she worked in the Food Safety and Defense Lab on pathogen intervention technologies and strategies for the produce, pet food, and meat industries. Her past experience before joining the Provision team also includes working in Food Safety, R&D, and business development roles in meat, fruit and vegetable, and pulse processing operations. As US Sales Director at Provision Analytics, she’s passionate about helping companies find and implement solutions to optimize their food safety processes.
凱莉艾倫是 SQFI 業務發展和策略副總裁。此前,凱莉曾擔任 SCS 全球服務食品和農業部副總裁,並在 NSF 產品和食品安全認證部門擔任高級領導職位。凱莉領導了幾個專有 NSF 認證協議的開發,並支持眾多卓越營運計劃。在她在 TIC 行業擔任之前,凱莉在幾個主要品牌從事食品製造、研發和品質保證工作近十年。凱莉獲得食品科學學學士學位和碩士學位,以及管理、策略和領導學碩士學位。凱莉喜歡通過與協會委員會和工作組合進行志願活動為行業做出貢獻,此外,她還支持她在密歇根州安娜堡社區的青年、藝術和社會計劃。
從年度會議到銷售高峰會、公司啟動會議等等,我喜歡接觸人群(親身或透過 Zoom 螢幕),並帶他們一起參加一趟旅程,讓他們笑、學習,並且充滿活力來打破自己的目標。除了有可見的內容外,我的主題演出會早期出現,並且經常帶有喜劇、真實故事和弱點,讓觀眾立即聯繫。
作為一名 A 型,一個充滿玻璃的靈魂,擁有銷售領導背景的背景,我與團隊和組織合作,以銷售、服務和成功為中心的培訓和主題演講,以滿足每個人的需求。深入研究激勵的原因, 我鼓勵並維持高表現,幫助高表現的團隊提升他們的技能,並發現激勵他們成為自己最好、最真實的版本。利用專業行為知識並將其與疲勞研究融合,我根據事實,科學和真實故事創作了我的主題演講-希望與會者可以擁有自己的「ah-ha」時刻和聯繫體驗,我喜歡打破假設並以新的意識,力量和團結重建組織。
為做出偉大工作的優秀人員,就是您會找到我的地方-我很榮幸能與我相同的熱情和成功和幸福的熱情和激勵的組織、團隊和領導者合作。
Daniel Akinmolayan 是安全優質食品研究所(SQFI)的 IT 系統和客戶支持總監,自 2017 年以來他一直領導技術進步。Daniel 擁有馬里蘭大學的信息技術碩士學位,專門從事數據庫系統技術,監督 SQFI 的 IT 生態系統,包括審核評估數據庫。他的工作使 SQF 計劃定位為食品安全認證技術的領導者。
Daniel 專注於利用先進技術,例如預測分析和人工智能,來增強稽核管理系統。他是經驗豐富的演講者,經常在行業活動上分享有關機器學習和數據分析的見解。除了技術專業知識之外,Daniel 熱衷於指導團隊,推動創新,並促進全球合作以創造有意義的變革。
在品質控制方面擁有超過 25 年經驗,在食品行業擁有 10 年的 SQF 專業人員,負責在 TreeHouse Foods 和 D&W Fine Pack 等各個認證的地點實施、監控和維護 SQF 系統。
目前 SQF 合規經理監督使用資料和統計資料監督 SQFI 合規與完整性計畫 (CIP) 的管理和發展。
擁有科學與工程技術碩士學位以及數學學士學位。
Thesmar 博士在食品科學、食品安全、食品農業政策方面擁有超過 20 年的經驗,為 FMI 零售、批發和產品供應商會員提供領導力,包括食品安全培訓計劃、監管策略、召回計劃和管理、危機管理、研究以及健康福祉計劃等科技問題。
Thesmar 博士在克萊姆森大學獲得食品科技博士學位,Winthrop 大學獲得人類營養理學碩士學位,克萊姆森的食品科學學士學位,她是註冊營養師。Thesmar 博士是食品技術學家研究所的研究員,是國際食物保護協會和營養與營養學院的積極成員。
LeAnn 擁有超過 30 年的食品服務經驗,專門從事供應鏈食品安全和質量保證。目前 LeAnn 是 Safe Quality Food(SQF)研究所技術事務副總裁,負責 SQF 計劃的技術要素,包括 SQF 代碼和支持材料的開發、維護和技術支持。
在 SQF 研究所工作之前,LeAnn 曾為國家餐廳協會解決方案擔任科學和監管關係總監。在這個職位中,她負責 ServSafe 食品安全計劃的技術準確性,並開發了有關食品安全和食品防禦的計劃和服務,以適合餐廳行業的所有領域。LeAnn 畢業於愛荷華州立大學,獲得食品科學學學士學位,並與許多組織活躍,包括 GFSI,AFDO 和國際食物保護協會。
Gigi Vita 是一位具前瞻性、創新的影響力人和問題解決者,目前是安全優質食品研究所 (SQFI) 首席食品安全評估官兼副總裁。在她之前擔任 SQFI 銷售副總裁的職位上,Vita 負責監督 SQFI 的整個銷售部門,並通過增加拉丁美洲和亞洲的 SQFI 投資組合,被證明是該組織擴展的關鍵資產。Vita 擁有豐富的食品行業知識,擁有超過 30 年的經驗,之前曾跨所有貿易渠道工作,並在國內和全球組織中領導非常成功的倡議。
最近 Vita 是合作夥伴集團的客戶發展實務合作夥伴,為全球領先的零售和消費產品公司提供全球策略和一般管理諮詢服務,專注於可持續價值。Vita 為全國最大的乳製品合作社美國牛奶農民(DFA)領導戰略業務開發和創新,並曾擔任北美 Fonterra 的總裁兼首席執行官。Vita 還在其他主要消費品包裝產品公司擔任高級領導職位,包括佩西科、可口可樂、Kraft/Nabisco、坎貝爾湯、雀巢和普克特 & Gamble。Vita 擁有賓夕法尼亞州伊斯頓拉斐特學院英語學士學位。