Eagerly supporting achievement of Nestle's sustainabilty commitments.

-Technical expert on USAID food assistance commodities with a focus on specialized nutritious foods including fortified flours and ready-to-use lipid-based products-Key initiatives include food product specification design and management; sustainable packaging design; food loss and waste reduction; and climate-related contaminants evidence generation -Lead studies and strategic analysis efforts identifying and documenting key lessons-learned, best practices and sustainable innovations for implementation -Food product specifications and compliance: Oversee USAID/USDA commodity requirements documents; Packaging, warehousing and supply chain management support and process defining -Draft position statements and business processes around relevant technical topics to inform senior management in decision-making and to harmonize with partner organizations -Liaison, and technical support to USAID bureaus, offices, US Government agencies, and other development partners on food innovation, nutrition, safety and supply chain topics -Contribute to designing, awarding, and monitoring research and operational investments

Senior Product Specialist, Nov 2018 - Current, Product Specialist II, July 2016 – Nov 2018, Product Specialist I, July 2014-July 2016: -Technical manager for leading pet food portfolios-Nestle Continuous Excellence performance/process improvement techniques and change management, identifying and tracking key performance metrics. -Execute fast-paced product development, industrialization and product maintenance work on thermally processed and extruded pet food products produced globally at internal and contract manufacturers.-Primary technical contact for two manufacturing plants to ensure safe and quality operation, collaborate on technical problem solving, communicate new products and initiatives to key stakeholders, ensure compliance with regulations and nutrition, support ingredient supply chain activities and forecasting. -Integral member of diverse cross-functional development and strategy teams including product innovation, strategic partnerships, marketing, operations planning, procurement and supply chain, and project management.-Coordinate functional area start-up of two new factories, one completed and one future.-Key achievements: Leader of two teams to determine root cause of urgent product issues; “Five Talls” Award for intern management and for European project leadership; Product Supply team representative for new strategic initiative.Product Specialist Mission: June – December 2017, Noisiel, France:-International Product Specialist assignment in the Nestle Purina PetCare Europe Product Platform team.-Initiated and lead the technical product work on a major and fast-paced global product supply initiative.-Liaised with the North American, Australian/Oceania/Asia, and European teams for successful completion of initiative.-Gained familiarity with European factory operations, ingredients, formulation and specifications.

Researched the development of foods for malnourished children in low income countries and managed clinical and operational nutrition studies in Africa with these foods and other disease interventions. Food production, food development, problem solving, quality and nutrition compliance with Project Peanut Butter (Malawi, Sierra Leone); scaled-up food production for studies; experience with therapeutic food procurement and ensuring supply to customers like UNICEF. Grant-writing contributions (funded) and on-ground study team member: -Integrated Protocol for Treatment of Moderate Acute Malnutrition and Severe Acute Malnutrition in Humanitarian Emergencies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) -Alternative Formulations of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) Products to Address Malnutrition (Children’s Investment Fund Foundation) Additional study leader and on-ground team member: -Use of fish oil to reduce Environmental Enteropathy in 3-5 year old children living in rural Malawi -Comparison of a novel ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) with whey permeate to standard peanut/soy RUSF for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition in rural Malawian childrenManaged content and on-time completion of regular reports and project updates; wrote manuscripts on food processing, alternative ingredients for RUTF, and least-cost optimization local food product model development; wrote protocols Research team leader on international research studies; diverse teams included local community health advisers, local nurses, and international students and researchers. Contributed to study design, implementation and analysis. On-boarded new employees; delivered technical and non-technical presentations.

Researched the development of foods for malnourished children in low income countries and managed clinical and operational nutrition studies in Africa with these foods and other disease interventions.Food production, food development, problem solving, quality and nutrition compliance with Project Peanut Butter (Malawi, Sierra Leone); scaled-up food production for studies; experience with therapeutic food procurement and ensuring supply to customers like UNICEF.Grant-writing contributions (funded) and on-ground study team member:-Integrated Protocol for Treatment of Moderate Acute Malnutrition and Severe Acute Malnutrition in Humanitarian Emergencies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)-Alternative Formulations of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) Products to Address Malnutrition (Children’s Investment Fund Foundation)Additional study leader and on-ground team member:-Use of fish oil to reduce Environmental Enteropathy in 3-5 year old children living in rural Malawi-Comparison of a novel ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) with whey permeate to standard peanut/soy RUSF for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition in rural Malawian childrenManaged content and on-time completion of regular reports and project updates; wrote manuscripts on food processing, alternative ingredients for RUTF, and least-cost optimization local food product model development; wrote protocolsResearch team leader on international research studies; diverse teams included local community health advisers, local nurses, and international students and researchers.Contributed to study design, implementation and analysis. On-boarded new employees; delivered technical and non-technical presentations.

Ph.D. research on the modification of whey protein ingredients for enhanced heat stability in neutral pH beverages. -Determined a mechanism for improved salt and thermal stability of pre-heated whey proteins.-Showed effectiveness of findings in a model beverage produced at pilot scale.-Group research on the effect of flavor on perceived texture of whey protein isolate gels.-Student research adviser - Hofmeister effects on the stability of soluble whey protein isolate aggregates.-Extracurricular research on food security and agricultural development.-Several presentation and publications.

-Piloted a formulation change project for Classico brand pasta sauce-Research on applicable food ingredients -Communicated with ingredient vendors for development of the new formula-Bench top and pilot plant experimentation-Executed in-house sensory trial

-Led a project related to changing the formula for Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy Frosting-Research and experimentation with new food ingredients for the application -Interaction with new ingredient vendors-Gained competence in quality and production of frostings and similar products-Implemented in-house sensory and functionality testing-Laboratory, analysis and pilot plant experience