GoToWebinar | February 23, 2021 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Eastern
Courtney is a Director in Global Scientific and Regulatory Affairs and the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition at General Mills. Courtney’s responsibilities include policy, regulatory, and external affairs accountabilities in the areas of food safety and nutrition. In addition, Courtney leads the international health and wellness network responsible for Health and Wellness strategy, including innovation, communication, and regulatory for regions outside of the United States.
Courtney joined General Mills in 2000 as a Quality Management Associate and subsequently worked in multiple General Mills manufacturing facilities as both a Quality Engineer and Quality Manager. Courtney transitioned to the General Mills corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2009 where she has served in multiple roles of increasing responsibility in the product safety and scientific and regulatory affairs. Courtney serves on the Consumer Brands Association (CBA) Regulatory Affairs Advisory Group, the Consumer Brands Association (CBA) Food Safety Working Group, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) Yogurt and Cultured Products Board, and the Consumer Goods Forum Health & Wellness Steering Committee. She is a governor appointed member and Chair of the Minnesota Food Safety and Defense Task Force. In addition, Courtney serves as the Food Industry Advisor to the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) Board of Directors and is the Co-Chair of the AFDO Industry Association Membership Committee.
Courtney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science Degree in Food Science and Technology from Ohio State University. In her free time, Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, Jackson and Madeline.
Miriam J. Guggenheim is a Partner and Co-Chair of the Food, Drug and Device practice at Covington & Burling LLP. She focuses primarily on the food and dietary supplement industries and counsels clients on all aspects of product development and marketing, from formulation, manufacturing, and safety considerations to labeling and advertising. Her work for a broad range of leading global food and dietary supplement companies and major trade associations includes regulatory advice, advocacy before regulators, courts and legislative bodies, and strategic counseling in light of overarching public health and nutrition policy considerations. Ms. Guggenheim is ranked as one of America's Leading Business Lawyers, Food & Beverages: Regulatory & Litigation by Chambers USA. Ms. Guggenheim received her BA, magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania and her JD, with honors, from Columbia University School of Law.
President, QAS, (Quality Assurance Strategies, LLC), private consultation for the Food and Beverage Industry specializing in Global Food Safety and Quality with expertise in Regulatory Compliance, Prop 65, Crisis Management, Business Integration and Due Diligence M & A Compliance Risk Assessments.
Formerly, Vice President, Food Safety, Weston Foods (WF), a GWL Canadian company and North American leader in bakery products. Transformed organization toward World Class Excellence for Food Safety by framing Food Safety Roadmap Strategy for fast-tracking compliance to FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act), SFCA (Safe Foods for Canadian Act) and new NLEA (Nutrition Labeling Education Act) for US and Canadian compliance.
Over 35+ years of food safety and quality experience, after holding successive senior positions with Colgate-Palmolive, Coca-Cola, Bestfoods, Unilever, YUM! Brands and Quiznos (Board). Prior to joining Weston Foods, held position of Quality Director with Mondelez International (formerly Kraft Foods) in Europe, (Zurich, Switzerland) and Cadbury as QA Chocolate Director (Quality, Environmental, and Health & Safety) for NA/Europe/Global.
Lee Sanders is Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, as well as, Corporate Secretary for the American Bakers Association (ABA). Lee leads the ABA government relations team representing the baking industry before Congress, federal agencies, state legislatures and international policy making bodies. She advises association members and industry on critical legislative and regulatory issues while serving as a spokesperson on behalf of the industry. Lee is Co-Chair for the Food and Beverage Issue Alliance – a group of 49 FDA- regulated food industry trade associations that work together to develop unified positions on nutrition and food safety issues and meets quarterly with FDA officials.Lee sits on the Board of Directors for the Business Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC). She is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Environment and Agriculture Committee and a member of the National Association of Manufacturers’ Food Policy Committee. She is a past chair of the Wheat Quality Council as well as past chair of the American Association of Cereal Chemists International (AACCI) Milling and Baking Division. Lee is a founding member and current President of the Society of Bakery Women. Before coming to the industry 26 years ago, Lee served in several government roles including legislative aide to Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) and as a political appointee in the Administration of George H.W. Bush.Lee holds a B.A. Degree in Journalism from the University of Mississippi and currently sits on its Political Science Advisory Board. She holds executive education certificates from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in Leading Teams for Growth and Change as well as Strategic Analysis and Decision-Making. Lee is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), American Society of Association Executives.HONORS AND AWARDS:
My favorite sweet baked good is a chocolate glazed yeast raised donut because they are delicious and my savory favorite is rye bread.
Rasma Zvaners serves as Vice President, Regulatory & Technical Services for the American Bakers Association (ABA) and joined the organization in September 2006. Ms. Zvaners is the primary liaison for both ABA’s Food Technical & Regulatory Affairs Committee and the ABA Energy and Environment Committee. Ms. Zvaners is responsible for managing ABA’s Energy Star initiative and sustainability work. Prior to ABA she was with the American Chemistry Council (ACC) where in her last post, Ms. Zvaners served as Director of Regulatory Policy. She managed and led member companies on significant regulatory and policy issues including environment, energy, public health and products.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Michigan State University and she attended The George Washington University where she earned an American Bar Association Legal Assistant’s certification.