Miller to provide regulatory support for NCA member companies.
National Confectioners Association President & CEO John Downs announced that Debra Miller, Ph.D., will join the organization as senior vice president of scientific & regulatory affairs.
In her new role, Miller will provide regulatory support for all NCA member companies, serve as the chief liaison to chocolate and cocoa-processing companies, and collaborate on regulatory advocacy efforts with NCA’s public policy and communications functions.
“Debra’s experience uniquely equips her to provide regulatory compliance support to our member companies and communicate the interests of our industry to the nutrition professional and regulatory communities,” Downs said. “She will be an outstanding NCA ambassador as we continue to engage the nutrition professional community on our industry’s efforts to help consumers manage their sugar intake by providing more support, information, and options in the marketplace.”
In 2017, NCA established a bold voluntary industry leadership commitment – the Always A Treat Initiative – which proactively positions the confectionery industry as a thought leader with consumers and in the food policy space. There is strong directional alignment across the industry to help consumers make informed choices.
“The scientific and regulatory affairs pillar is a critical component of the NCA value proposition for small, medium and large companies alike,” Downs said. “The addition of Debra to our team will continue to enhance the multidimensional membership value proposition in a number of ways, particularly with regulatory support for the 620 manufacturers, suppliers and brokers that are members of NCA.”
Miller has nearly 20 years of food industry experience, 14 of them at The Hershey Co., where she most recently served as director of nutrition & wellness and director of scientific & regulatory affairs prior to that. Her professional portfolio includes leading external engagement activities for Hershey, including regulatory advocacy around Nutrition Facts panel reform, vending labeling, and the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. She led the development and implementation of global nutrition and wellness strategies at Hershey and has represented the company to a variety of trade associations and professional societies throughout her career.
“Our member companies produce and sell America’s best-tasting, fun treats and there is an emotional bond created with our consumers through chocolate and candy,” Downs said. “We are taking our member companies’ lead as it relates to this bond in establishing an NCA brand promise that has come to life over the last four years with all of our stakeholders. Together, we have created a solid, mission-driven advocacy organization.”
The McCormick Group conducted the search on behalf of NCA.