Developing Food Safety Professionals Professional Development Group

Mission Statement: To develop, connect, empower, and retain IAFP members who are in the early years of their food safety career.

Meeting Information

Virtual: TBD throughout the year.

In Person: IAFP 2025

                   07/27/2025 — 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

                   Room 3

                   July 27, 2025, Huntington Convention Center, Cleveland, Ohio

A full listing of PDG nad Committee Meetings can be found here:

https://www.foodprotection.org/annualmeeting/programs-and-activities/committee-meetings/

How to Join

Involvement in committees and professional development groups (PDGs) offers Members the opportunity to share a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Members of committees and PDGs are the architects of the Association structure. They plan, develop and institute many of the Association's projects, including workshops, publications and educational sessions. Technical challenges facing the food safety industry are discussed, examined and debated. Members may volunteer to serve on any number of committees or PDGs that plan and implement activities to meet the Association's mission.

Membership on a PDG is voluntary (not by appointment) and may vary from year to year.

IAFP Members can manage their PDG involvement by logging in to the IAFP Web site. At the Member Dashboard, click “Edit Profile.” Your profile has two tabs: Contact Info and Professional Info. Select the Professional Info tab and update the PDGs you would like to participate in. We highly recommend that you contact the PDG chairperson for each group to let them know you have joined their PDG.

Non-members can contact Dina Siedenburg, dsiedenburg@foodprotection.org for more information.

Minutes

Board Responses

2024 Board Response to Recommendations
  1. 1. To recognize Alison Cousins as the vice chair elect for the term of 2 years before continuing into the chair role for 2 years.

    Board Response: Board Response: Agree.

2023 Board Response to Recommendations
  1. None.
2022 Board Response to Recommendations
  1. Appointment of Jill Stuber as Vice Chair of the Developing Professionals PDG

    Board Response: Agreed.

2021 Board Response to Recommendations
  1. None.
2020 Board Response to Recommendations
  1. The DFSP recommends to appoint Amit Morey as the new Vice Chair of the PDG.

    Board Response: Agree.

2019 Board Response to Recommendations
  1. A lower postdoc fee be considered for Membership and/or Annual Meeting registration to help alleviate financial pressures on postdocs

    Board Response: Agree. Staff will investigate lower registration fees. Membership fee is already affordable.

  2. Mentoring program specifically for the DFSP PDG similar to Student PDG to assist new members and new food safety professionals to adapt to the industry.

    Board Response: Agree. An IAFP-wide mentorship program is being investigated for release in 2020.

  3. Consider providing scholarships for students or postdocs to go to pre-conference workshops.

    Board Response: Agree. A request to the IAFP Foundation will be made to cover registration fees and $250 per extra day for hotel expenses for up to six postdocs to participate in IAFP workshops at Annual Meetings.

2018 Board Response to Recommendations
  1. Request to officially appoint Matthew Moore as the new Vice Chair (elected prior to meeting).

    Board Response: Agree.

  2. Start a 40 under 40 club.

    Board Response: The Board would prefer the PDG establish ways to engage young professionals and suggests exploring options that are more open to all to participate.

Webinars

  • Developing Food Safety Professionals PDG Presents: Pitch Slam: Inside the Roles Shaping Food Safety Jan 9, 2025

    Join us for an engaging webinar hosted by IAFP’s Developing Food Safety Professionals PDG, where five food safety experts take the stage in a “pitch slam.”
    Each presenter will have 5-7 minutes to “pitch” their unique role in food safety, sharing why it’s vital, the skills it demands, and perhaps a memorable story from their experience.
    This dynamic session offers an up-close look at diverse food safety positions, from daily tasks to industry impact.
    After the pitches, we’ll open the floor for questions, making this an ideal opportunity to gain career insights and explore potential paths in food safety.

    Learning Outcomes:
    1. Understand the diverse roles within food safety and their impact on the industry.
    2. Identify key skills, knowledge, and experiences needed for various food safety careers.
    3. Gain practical insights through personal stories from professionals, broadening your
    perspective on food safety career options.

    Download Slides

    Presenters
    • Cory Bifoss, Presenter PureBio
    • Sarah Smith-Simpson, Presenter Nestle
    • Kyle Lunsford, Presenter Flexxray
    • Tia Glave, Presenter Catalyst
    • Carmen Miller, Presenter Consultant
    • Jill Stuber DFSP PDG Hosts
    • Alison Cousins DFSP PDG Hosts