My passion is helping companies capitalize on health and wellness trends to grow their nutrition businesses and I have been doing that for nearly 25 years for Fortune 500 food and agriculture companies. I have seen trends in nutrition/health and wellness come and go over my career. What is key, I have found, is making sure your value proposition is so strong that it compels action. We are in a changing time where consumers are seeking more independence not only in how they care for themselves, but in how they make decisions. People of all ages are proactively addressing their health in a more holistic and personalized manner. At the same time, increased access to information has created mounting awareness and concern surround the scale and complexity of social and environmental issues globally. The health and wellness minded consumer is at the center of this world, and is the space where high value can be captured through innovation. I help food companies think differently about how to position themselves as organizations in this changing environment. I also help them determine what products to offer, how to source, manufacture and take them to market so that they are highly consumer relevant, but also strategically linked to the company’s corporate image. Check out my blogs - http://www.usdairy.com/dairyminded/contributors/geri-berdak You can also connect with me on Twitter® @nutriagirl.

Vice President, Strategic Marketing - Beverage and Nutrition @ From March 2015 to Present (10 months) Greater Chicago AreaSenior Vice President, Nutrition Strategy and Business Development @ Develop category-level H&W business plans that help leading food and beverage companies innovate with dairy for the H&W minded consumer while improving the company’s image. From June 2012 to March 2015 (2 years 10 months) Greater Chicago AreaSenior Director, Nutrition Strategy and Science Outreach @ Led team to build global R&D nutrition capability and join innovation platforms to grow the PepsiCo's global nutrition business. Established PepsiCo Nutrition Center of Excellence which was instrumental in building brands, markets and product differentiation. Served on PepsiCo’s Nutrition Leadership Team, the AAFP Resource Committee for Nutrition Education, as Corporate Sponsor of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and as board alt for the International Food Information Council. From July 2008 to June 2012 (4 years) Greater New York City AreaDirector, Public Affairs Food Platform and Soybeans @ Responsible for leading marketing strategy, media relations, issues management and health/nutrition influencer programs to differentiate soybean and food technology platforms for Monsanto. Served as member of the International Food Information Council’s Biotechnology Committee and Dietary Fats Committee, and founding board member of the Soy Nutrition Institute. From February 2007 to July 2008 (1 year 6 months) Global Director, Strategic Communications @ Built global strategic marketing program that leveraged nutrition science to grow Solae's market share while enhancing its corporate image. Responsible for creating brand positioning strategies and leading a team to activate media outreach, industry relations, issues management, crisis communications, web strategy and employee communication programs globally. Served as member of Solae’s Senior Leadership Team, Global Regulatory Policy Committee and as President of Soyfoods Association of North America, President of the Soy Nutrition Institute and board member of the International Food Information Foundation and Council. From 2002 to 2007 (5 years) Director of Soyfood and Soybean Oil Programs @ Joined the world’s leading association management firm to defend client’s presence in mature markets as well as grow presence in the small but emerging soy protein ingredient segment. Directed programs in areas of health research, regulatory monitoring, public relations and issues management.Built valuable partnerships with major trade associations as well as soybean boards in 14 states. From 1997 to 2002 (5 years) Manager, Consumer Affairs @ Led nutrition focused consumer affairs programs that helped a gourmet retailer capture a competitive advantage and win the sophisticated customer who pays a premium for their food products. From 1992 to 1997 (5 years)

M.B.A, Marketing @ New York Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree, Food Science and Nutrition @ Missouri State UniversityBachelor's Degree, Nutrition Sciences @ University of Nebraska-LincolnCertificate, Executive Leadership @ University of Notre DameCertificate, Consumer-centric Marketing @ Northwestern University - Kellogg School of ManagementCertificate, Business @ University of Missouri-Saint Louis Geri Berdak is skilled in: Marketing Strategy, Strategy, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Strategic Communications, Food, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Marketing, Program Management, Customer Insight, Food Industry, Marketing Communications, Nutrition, Public Relations, Team Building