Principal of Fresh Center of Excellence at IRI

Jonna joined IRI in 2016 to lead a top 20 CPG client team and oversee its organizational change to integrate two companies’ insights after a merger. She now leads the IRI Fresh COE focusing on solution enhancement, thought leadership and client consultation in product, meat, bakery and deli across both suppliers and retailers. An innovator in the fresh foods space for two decades, she has continually advocated for consumer-driven decision making and big data analytics as a leader at an ISB/deli manufacturer and the perishables group. Jonna’s insights have been cited across industry associations, including IDDBA webinars and “What’s In Store” publications, as well as in other trade and consumer media including Grocery Headquarters, NPR and USA Today.

Executive Vice President & Practice Leader, Client Insights
IRI

Sally Lyons Wyatt is a recognized thought leader and frequent speaker at popular conferences in the CPG industry and is an authority on consumer eating and shopping trends. She leverages more than 25 years of industry experience to provide innovative and results-driven insights with proven leadership success. Her specialty is focusing on client strategies which drive business growth along with cultivating and maintaining key business relationships.

As an executive and practice leader for IRI’s Client Insights division, Lyons Wyatt is responsible for driving integrated initiatives as well as measuring their success within the practice areas of consumer strategy, consumer/customer insights, and consumer relationship management (both traditional and online). She has held a number of key roles during her 13-year career with IRI, including the overall management and development of global account teams that provide service to Fortune 500 companies, including PepsiCo Foods and Campbell’s.

Lyons Wyatt experience also includes key positions with Marketing Specialists, AC Nielsen, Market Metrics and SmithKline Consumer Products. She has worked closely with a number of international manufacturers to align strategies using transformative approaches and proven business solutions.

President & CEO at American Bakers Association (ABA).

Robb previously served for 11 years as Vice President of Government Relations. The ABA is a trade association representing the interests of the $102 billion wholesale baking industry in Washington, D.C. Mr. MacKie oversees all aspects of the administration and operations of ABA and serves as the baking industry’s chief advocate and spokesperson.

Mr. MacKie has appeared on CNBC’s Closing Bell and Power Lunch, on Fox Business News, on CNN’s The Glenn Beck Show; and on numerous local news programs in Washington, D.C. and in Baltimore. He has also been interviewed by Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster Orin Samuelson for This Week in Agri-Business.

Mr. MacKie is recognized as a leader in the Washington business community. He previously served on the steering committees of several issue-oriented coalitions including co-chairing the National Coalition on Ergonomics and the Food Industry Coalition on Hours of Service Regulations.

Before joining ABA, Mr. MacKie worked for Congressman Jim Kolbe of Arizona with a primary responsibility for domestic spending bills. He also worked for the American Subcontractors Association and the Associated General Contractors representing the construction industry’s interests before the Congress.

Mr. MacKie provides strategic guidance as a member of the Kansas State University Grain Sciences Program Advisory Committee. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors of BIPAC’s Prosperity Fund and the US Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious Committee of 100.

From 2004 to 2008, Mr. MacKie served on the Judicial Nominating Commission for Howard County, Maryland by appointment of Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich. The term was one of the most active in recent history with 4 judicial vacancies to fill. He remains very involved in local community and political activities.

Mr. MacKie is a graduate of Frostburg State University with a degree in Political Science. He and his wife Barbara have two children.

President & CEO at SNAC International

Elizabeth Avery is the president & CEO of SNAC International. She brings 30 years of strategic government affairs experience and a strong track record of success in leading teams working on critical issues to the food industry at the state, federal and international level. She brings extensive real-world knowledge of the challenges that impact food companies the most, from taxation to food safety and nutrition labeling. Since 2004, Avery has served in several roles at PepsiCo, most recently as senior vice president for global public policy and government affairs, where she led a team of 60 executives in 25 countries and advised the company’s Board of Directors, CEO and President's Executive Council on policy threats. Avery has also advocated on behalf of several food companies and trade associations in Washington, D.C. She served as senior vice president of government and public affairs for the Snack Food Association from 1999 to 2001 and has a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the snack industry.