Nicole Nice Email & Phone Number

Edmonton, Alberta, Ca

Global legal lead of fast-growing pet food business in the super-premium category, serving on Executive Leadership Team and leading a global team focused on delivering creative, practical, business-minded counsel that will enable the business to achieve its ambition.

Led food law compliance for all segments of Mars, Incorporated in North, Central, and South America, Emerging Markets, and Asia-Pacific. Advise all Mars business segments and brands on opportunities and risks associated with new innovation, marketing and advertising strategies, and packaging commitments, and provide counsel around effective management of food quality and safety incidents. Work closely with colleagues in Research & Development, Quality & Food Safety, Marketing, Corporate Development, Sustainability, and Corporate Affairs, and with legal counsel embedded in each Mars business segment. Serve as a practical, strategic, solutions-oriented partner to the business on due diligence for acquisitions, honing new strategies for product development and brand growth, and developing external positions on public policy issues. Primary global legal leader on sustainability claims, drafting first Mars Corporate standard on credible approaches to packaging, sourcing, and operations claims, enabling brands to drive value in this increasingly important area. Legal partner for sustainable packaging and carbon neutrality teams.

Mclean, Virginia, Us

Senior leader responsible for leading the Global Food Policy Group, driving cross-functional public policy positions and strategies for the Mars Food segment, working across 30 global markets on a wide range of issues. Played a significant role on Mars Food's global Health & Wellbeing and Sustainability teams, partnering with R&D, Marketing, Sales, Commercial (procurement), and other functions to identify and advance solutions that drive purposeful business growth. Led Corporate Affairs strategies for Mars Food's emerging markets, including India, China, and Brazil. Drove Mars Food's global reputation strategy, distinguishing Mars Food with key stakeholders, media, policymakers, consumers, and customers around the world as an industry leader on sustainability and health & wellbeing. Led external communications and crisis management globally, including the launch of Mars Food's Global Health & Wellbeing Ambition.

Provided counsel to all North America business segments (Mars Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience) regarding the potential impact of policy trends and proposed federal regulations, identifying strategies to manage risk and opportunities for competitive advantage. Drove Mars’ U.S. regulatory strategy across all business segments, including regular engagement of officials within the White House, FDA, FTC, and USDA. Drafted regulatory comments to FDA and USDA on a wide range of issues including nutrition labeling, marketing, school nutrition, U.S. Dietary Guidelines, sodium reduction, and food safety. Established and chaired the North America Food Policy Group, leading the development of cross-segment policy positions and strategies for engagement of the U.S. and Canadian governments, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and other key stakeholders on all federal issues impacting Mars’ diverse business interests. Managed and reported on compliance with the Mars Marketing Code across all business segments, including providing regular counsel to business segments on proposed marketing activations. Represented Mars on 18 different U.S. trade association committees on a variety of policy and legal matters, with a goal of advancing food industry positions that reflect the changing consumer and policy landscape.

Cleveland, Ohio, Us

Provided legal counsel to corporations, trade associations, non-profit organizations, and public entities on a wide range of federal legislative and regulatory matters relating to food, agriculture, and energy policy. Developed and implemented strategies for engaging Congress and regulatory agencies on complex issues with significant business impact, including working within diverse industry or non-profit coalitions. Advised clients on the impacts of potential policy and regulatory changes. Engaged federal regulators on complicated compliance matters including via regulatory comments. Assisted clients in the development of corporate sustainability and social responsibility policies and programs.

Served as senior legislative aide and speechwriter to second highest-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives. Briefed Congressman daily on upcoming votes in the House of Representatives and staffed Congressman for votes on the House floor. Attended House leadership and Democratic Caucus meetings. Served as liaison between the Congressman, House leadership, and other major caucuses. Advised Congressman on key legislative issues pending before the Judiciary Committee.

Juris Doctor 2005

Bachelor Of Arts, Urban Studies