ARLINGTON, VA – Food Marketing Institute (FMI) today announces a significant transition for the organization’s health and wellness programs and its Foundation, naming Susan Borra, RD, as chief health and wellness officer and executive director of the FMI Foundation.
FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin touted the leadership change noting, “FMI’s members are making significant investments in the health, nutrition and overall wellness of their customers and employees; our consumer research suggests that food retailers are better positioned than other industry players to earn and leverage consumer trust around health and wellness, and no individual is better suited to help our members meet their goals in this arena than Sue Borra.”
Sarasin continued, “I’m also entrusting Sue to guide our Foundation as it devotes resources to education and research in the areas of food safety, nutrition and health. She has the vision to make our programs stronger, the talent to articulate them in meaningful ways and the knowledge to be an advocate on the issues that have an impact on FMI members’ businesses.”
Formerly the head of FMI’s communications department, Borra’s background as an expert in food, nutrition and health will provide content and strategic oversight of FMI’s and the FMI Foundation’s health and wellness initiatives.
Borra came to FMI in 2010 from Edelman, the world’s largest independent public relations firm, where she served for two years as executive vice president of nutrition, food and wellness. Prior to Edelman, she was executive vice president at the International Food Information Council (IFIC) and was responsible for communications and public affairs strategies, management of nutrition and food safety issues, and the development of consumer education initiatives and programs. In the last two years of her 16 years at IFIC, Borra also served as president of the IFIC Foundation. A registered dietitian, Borra has held many professional leadership and advisory roles and is a former president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and former chairman of the Academy Foundation.
Borra said, “I have built my career on helping companies communicate effectively and responsibly their stance on food and nutrition while also meeting the needs of the consumers they serve. I look forward to assisting food retailers in achieving their health and wellness priorities and contributing to enhanced consumer trust in the food supply. In addition, encouraging shoppers to enjoy one more family meal each week through the Foundation's annual National Family Meals Month™ campaign is an incredible health promotion opportunity.”
As Borra focuses her efforts to assist food retailers to become health and wellness destinations in their communities, FMI’s David Fikes will assume leadership responsibilities for the communications department and the association’s efforts to champion the voice of food retail. He will report to Sarasin.
Food Marketing Institute proudly advocates on behalf of the food retail industry. FMI’s U.S. members operate nearly 40,000 retail food stores and 25,000 pharmacies, representing a combined annual sales volume of almost $770 billion. Through programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations, FMI offers resources and provides valuable benefits to more than 1,225 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI membership covers the spectrum of diverse venues where food is sold, including single owner grocery stores, large multi-store supermarket chains and mixed retail stores. For more information, visit www.fmi.org and for information regarding the FMI foundation, visit www.fmifoundation.org.
Source: Food Marketing Institute
