Sean Leighton succeeds Christopher Downs
6 September 2023
2 minute learn
The Institute of Meals Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit medical organisation dedicated to advancing the science of meals and its utility around the world meals machine, is proud to announce that Sean Leighton has formally assumed the function of Board President succeeding Christopher Downs. Leighton is the worldwide vp of meals protection, high quality and regulatory at Cargill.
A member of IFT since 1999 the place he was once a player within the IFT Scholar Affiliation (IFTSA) product construction pageant, Leighton has served in numerous volunteer roles as a presenter, panelist, podcast concept chief, in addition to an advisory council member of IFT’s International Meals Traceability Middle.
“Sean’s dedication to advancing the science of meals has lengthy been an inspiration to IFT, its contributors, and the science of meals group typically. He brings a singular viewpoint to the function, now not most effective as a world chief in trade, but in addition as a former scholar member,” stated IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Sean has been an IFT champion for greater than twenty years, and we’re excited to look the affect he’s going to now make as president of IFT.”
With a profession spanning greater than twenty years within the meals and beverage group, Leighton has intimate wisdom of the science and requirements that make meals protected and the methods to make sure the standard of provide chains that feed the arena. Earlier than becoming a member of Cargill in 2017, Leighton served as vp of high quality assurance, other people protection and environmental sustainability at The Coca-Cola Corporate the place he spent 12 years in roles of accelerating duty. Previous to that, he labored at Land O’Lakes Integrated.
Along with IFT, Leighton sits on a lot of advisory forums, together with The Middle for Meals Protection (College of Georgia), The Middle for Meals Integrity (CFI), Partnerships for Meals Protection Schooling, and the Meals Fraud Suppose Tank (Michigan State College). He holds a bachelor’s level in bacteriology from the College of Wisconsin-Madison, a grasp’s level in meals science from the College of Minnesota, and an MBA from Emory College in Atlanta, Georgia.
“I’m extremely humbled and excited to step into the function of IFT president,” Leighton stated. “The IFT group way such a lot to me as a result of the essential and ambitious function it performs in bringing in combination leaders throughout industries, governments, and academia to assist make certain our world meals machine is protected, nutritious, and sustainable. I’m having a look ahead to the 12 months forward and having this chance to serve IFT and the science of meals group.”