IDFA Senior Vice President Roberta Wagner Announces Retirement

IDFA Senior Vice President Roberta Wagner Announces Retirement

Dr. Samuel Alcaine to lead IDFA Regulatory and Scientific Affairs; Michelle Albee Matto, M.P.H., R.D.N., promoted to Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Chief Nutrition Scientist

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2026-Roberta Wagner, senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs for the International Dairy foods Association (IDFA), announced her plans retire from the organization, effective February 15, 2027, following a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in public service, food safety, regulatory policy and industry leadership.

IDFA also announced that Dr. Samuel Alcaine will succeed Wagner as senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs following her retirement, and Michelle Albee Matto, M.P.H., R.D.N., has been promoted to vice president, regulatory affairs and chief nutrition scientist, effective immediately.

"It has been an honor to serve IDFA and its members during this important period for our industry," Wagner said. "The dairy industry is filled with dedicated leaders and innovators who care deeply about food safety, nutrition and providing consumers with high-quality products. As I transition into retirement, I am looking forward to welcoming my first grandchild and spending more time with family. IDFA's regulatory and scientific affairs work is in incredibly capable hands and well positioned to continue helping members navigate complex issues, advance sound policy and strengthen the dairy industry."

Wagner joined IDFA in 2023 and has led the association's Regulatory and Scientific Affairs team through a period of significant change in food and nutrition policy. While in this role, IDFA strengthened its engagement with federal and international regulators, expanded member support on emerging scientific and regulatory issues and advanced science-based policies that protect public health while supporting innovation and growth in the dairy industry.

"Roberta has brought extraordinary expertise, steady leadership and an unwavering commitment to science-based policymaking to IDFA and our members," said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA. "Her career has left an enduring mark on food safety and public health and her contributions to IDFA have helped strengthen our advocacy, our member services and our relationships with policymakers and regulators. We are deeply grateful for her service and wish her all the best in retirement."

Prior to joining IDFA, Wagner held leadership positions at the Consumer Brands Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, where she spent more than 25 years helping shape food safety policy and implementation. During her tenure at IDFA, she guided member companies through evolving regulatory challenges and helped ensure dairy's voice remained at the forefront of critical conversations surrounding food safety, labeling, nutrition, sustainability and innovation.

To ensure a seamless transition, Dr. Alcaine's promotion to senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs will be effective February 16, 2027.

"Sam provides outstanding leadership, deep technical expertise, and commitment to serving our members," Dykes said. "He has been instrumental in advancing IDFA's regulatory priorities and has earned the trust of members, regulators and industry stakeholders alike. His extensive knowledge of dairy food safety, regulatory policy and member needs ensures continuity and continued excellence for IDFA and the dairy industry as a whole."

IDFA also announced the promotion of Matto to vice president, regulatory affairs and chief nutrition scientist, effective immediately. A registered dietitian nutritionist with a Master of Public Health, Matto has become an indispensable resource to IDFA and its members, providing leadership on nutrition policy and advancing the association's work at the intersection of nutrition, health and regulatory affairs. In her expanded role, she will lead IDFA's nutrition, health and wellness policy portfolio while continuing to support the association's broader regulatory and scientific affairs priorities.

Together with Matto and the broader Regulatory and Scientific Affairs team, Alcaine will continue advancing science-based policies and providing IDFA members with leading regulatory, scientific and nutrition expertise.

"Roberta has been an exceptional mentor, colleague and leader," Alcaine said. "I am honored to build on the strong foundation she has established and look forward to continuing to work alongside with Michelle and our whole Regulatory team on behalf of IDFA members and the U.S. dairy industry."

To learn more about the industry leaders on IDFA's team, visit www.idfa.org.

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Contact: [email protected]

About The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA)

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in wages and $779 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA's diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.