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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has appointed Heather Soubra as senior vice president, strategic initiatives and industry relations, marking her return to the organisation as it advances a new phase of strategic growth and industry engagement.
In the role, Soubra will oversee IDFA's NextGen Leadership Program, strengthen collaboration with member companies and board leadership, and help drive implementation of the association's recently launched strategic roadmap, Vision of the Future 2.0.
She will report directly to IDFA's president and CEO Michael Dykes, who welcomed her return to the organisation.
"Heather is a trusted strategist and results-oriented leader who knows IDFA, our members and the dairy industry deeply," Dykes said. "She understands how to bring people together, move complex work forward and deliver results."
Soubra previously served as IDFA's senior vice president of strategic initiatives and chief of staff, where she played a central role in advancing the association's strategic priorities and overseeing operations within the executive office.
During her earlier tenure, she led the development and execution of several high-profile initiatives, including the annual Dairy Forum, while also creating the IDFA People Strategy, a leadership and workforce development framework focused on organisational wellbeing, talent development and future workforce needs.
Her return comes as dairy organisations increasingly focus on leadership development, workforce retention and succession planning amid ongoing transformation across the food and beverage sector.
"IDFA members are among the most innovative leaders in the food and beverage industry, and I am excited to return to an organisation and industry that mean so much to me," Soubra said.
"I look forward to working with Michael, the IDFA team and leaders across the dairy industry to strengthen collaboration, support strategic priorities and build the relationships and programs that will move the industry forward."
One of Soubra's immediate priorities will be leading IDFA's NextGen Leadership Program, which aims to develop future leaders across the dairy value chain.
The programme has become an increasingly important component of the association's efforts to support talent development within the dairy sector as companies navigate changing consumer expectations, technological innovation, sustainability demands and workforce challenges.
Her background in executive coaching and leadership development is expected to strengthen these efforts.
Most recently, Soubra served as director of the George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon, where she designed and facilitated leadership programmes for executives across government agencies, trade associations and private-sector organisations.
She is also an International Coaching Federation Certified Coach and a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, bringing extensive experience in leadership strategy, organisational development and executive coaching.
The appointment aligns with IDFA's broader focus on strengthening industry collaboration and preparing dairy businesses for future growth opportunities.
Representing dairy manufacturers, marketers, cooperatives, retailers and suppliers across the United States, IDFA continues to play a central role in shaping policy, workforce development and innovation initiatives across the sector.