
The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) announced new Board leadership and discussed its strategic priorities at its recent annual Board of Trustees meeting. Leigh Ann Sayen, CEO of The Peterson Company, was installed as the new chair for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which began May 1.
Sayen succeeds Carlos Gonzalez, vice president of global regulatory affairs at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, who chaired the board for the 2024-25 fiscal year that concluded April 30. Steve Lerner, senior scientific and business advisor of Novonesis Animal and Plant Biosolutions, will serve as the new Board vice chair.
"IFEEDER has made significant progress in implementing its strategic plan — solidifying our role as a trusted resource for the animal food industry and allied partners, expanding sustainability research and growing our funding base,” said Lara Moody, IFEEDER executive director. “As we look to the future, IFEEDER is committed to building on this momentum and exploring new ways to support the evolving research and education needs across the feed and pet food sectors.”
During the meeting, the Board reviewed accomplishments from the past fiscal year, including:
- Amplifying the Institute's reach and awareness.
- Publishing reports on feed ingredient consumption and pet food consumption.
- Holding IFEEDER’s first Day of Giving on April 17.