AFIA Welcomes New Staff Members Across Policy, Education and Communications

Key Points

• The AFIA welcomes Alison Foster, Mary Gray Holdren and Margo Nagle in the roles of policy engagement manager, education programs manager and communications specialist.
• The new staff will strengthen AFIA's ability to advance policy engagement, deliver impactful education programs and communications, and support the U.S. animal food industry and its members.

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is pleased to welcome Alison Foster, Mary Gray Holdren and Margo Nagle, three new staff members who will strengthen the association's policy engagement, education and communications operations.

Alison Foster joins the AFIA as its manager of policy engagement, a new role designed to work across association functions to coordinate advocacy initiatives and support the development of the association's federal and state policy priorities. Foster's experience is steeped in trade association government relations, communications and member relations, having spent time at both the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and the Education Finance Council. The Florida native holds a master's degree in philosophy and international affairs from American University, as well as a bachelor's degree in media and communications from Florida State University.

Also in a new role, Mary Gray Holdren joins the AFIA as manager of education programs. Reflecting the need for providing education and professional development opportunities to member employees, the education programs manager is responsible for designing and delivering professional educational content, collaborating with stakeholders, identifying emerging needs, monitoring policy changes and developing multimedia assets and marketing support. Before joining the AFIA, Holdren worked her way up from feed mill intern to agri-business specialist at Mountaire Farms in North Carolina, directing compliance programs and developing workforce training. She has achieved feed industry certifications for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual and is slated to finish her Master of Science in agricultural leadership development at North Carolina State University in 2029, where she also earned her bachelor's degree in agricultural science with minors in feed mill management and poultry science.

Margo Nagle, a recent Ohio State University graduate, joins the communications team as the communications specialist, supporting AFIA's multimedia communications efforts. She is responsible for collaborating with AFIA's policy team to deepen stakeholders' understanding of the AFIA policy positions and supporting the membership team in driving recruitment and maintaining retention. While earning her dual bachelor's degrees in economics and communications analysis and engagement, Nagle held communications internships with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and the Franklin County Auditor's Office in Ohio. Her leadership experience includes serving as president of Ohio State University's Collegiate Council on World Affairs and head delegate to the university's Model United Nations program.

The AFIA looks forward to the contributions of its new staff members as they support the association's work on behalf of the animal food industry.

For more information, visit AFIA's staff directory.