Sugar Producer

May 2021

Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1363681

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 19 of 23

20 Sugar Producer MAY 2021 Get to Know the Sugar Association Who exactly is working to promote the sugar industry? The Association Based in Washington, D.C., the Sugar Association has served as the scientific voice of the U.S. sugar industry since 1943. On behalf of U.S. sugarbeet and sugarcane growers, processors and refiners we represent, we work to increase consumer understanding and confidence in the role that real sugar plays in a nutritious, balanced and enjoyable diet. We do this by connecting people with real sugar facts and stories through social media; offering free educational handouts and videos to consumers, educators and health professionals; and exhibiting at conferences. This is also accomplished through advocating for evidence-based federal nutrition and food policy and supporting new research that helps us understand food, nutrition, the consumer and the role sugar plays in the diet. The People You may wonder who is working on your behalf to educate consumers and dispel myths about sugar with the facts. The answer is a group of people with a variety of backgrounds who are passionate about sugar and the sugar industry and dedicated to telling sugar's story. Let us introduce ourselves to you. COURTNEY GAINE, PRESIDENT/CEO Courtney Gaine, Ph.D., R.D., has been the president and CEO of the Sugar Association since 2016. She joined the association in 2014 as vice president of scientific affairs. Her primary role is making sure that every day we're having as much of an impact as we can on behalf of this great industry. Courtney is a native Washingtonian but has agriculture in her blood: Her grandparents on her mom's side were onion farmers in the Hudson Valley, and on her dad's side they raised cattle and mined a lime quarry in Ireland. Together with her husband, Courtney now grows corn and beans in central Illinois. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in dietetics and Ph.D. in nutritional sciences and biochemistry from the University of Connecticut (where she was also a co-captain of the UConn women's basketball team), she began her career in academia as an assistant professor. She gained years of experience as a project director and science manager at a nonprofit and a food-focused PR firm, respectively. Before joining the sugar team, Courtney was a senior science program manager at the North American branch of the International Life Sciences Institute. Courtney's favorite way to enjoy sugar is eating candy, cookies or cake for breakfast. When she started her high school baking club, she had no idea that this passion would be applicable to her career. ANDY FISKE, VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Andy began working with the Sugar Association as a consultant in 2016 and became the vice president of finance and operations in 2019. Andy is responsible for developing and managing streamlined administrative and financial systems in addition to assisting the president and CEO to track and report on the impact of the association. Andy is originally from Massachusetts and moved to Washington, D.C., in 2004 to attend FROM THE SUGAR ASSOCIATION Andy Fiske | Vice President, Finance & Operations

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Sugar Producer - May 2021