The National Confectioners Association (NCA) announced the 5 confectionery industry professionals selected for the 2021 Future Leadership Program, which is dedicated to helping young professionals across the confectionery industry access networking and professional development opportunities to grow their careers.
NCA is the trade organisation that promotes the role of chocolate, candy, gum and mints in a happy, balanced lifestyle and the companies that make these treats. Through advocacy and regulatory guidance, communications, industry insights and retail and supply chain engagement, NCA helps create an environment that enables candy makers and confectionery retailers to thrive.
The 5 selected 2021 class includes:
Serena Bitzer Senior Business Analyst The Hershey Company
Nisha Desai Director, Strategy and Business Development 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc.
Mark Puch Jr. (MJ) Key Account Specialist Primrose Candy Company
Sandi Santa Ana Category Management Director Ferrara Candy Company
Becky Silberfarb Director of Marketing Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company
John Downs, NCA President and CEO, said,
The Future Leadership Program has become a premier experience for young professionals in the confectionery industry.
Our Future Leaders have been instrumental in everything from bolstering our advocacy efforts and understanding our role in social justice initiatives to reimagining and planning for the future of the industry – and much more in between.
I look forward to working with the 2021 class – but more importantly learning from them – as we continue to innovate to take NCA to a higher level of success in the years to come.
In addition to receiving educational and networking opportunities through the Future Leadership Program, participants will be matched with a highly-regarded industry leader who will serve as a formal mentor.
The 2021 mentors are:
Troy Pearley Executive Vice President & General Manager Divine Chocolate
Sarah Atkinson Executive Vice President Atkinson Candy Company
Kirk Vashaw Chairman & CEO Spangler Candy Company
Anthony Trani Vice President of Global Marketing Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company
Marty Palmer President & CEO Palmer Candy Company
Launched in 2016, the Future Leadership Program provides support, education, access and opportunity to young professionals who wish to develop leadership skills and grow their careers in the confectionery industry. The application process for the 2022 class will open in the summer.
Those interested in applying for the program or learning more about how to get involved as a young professional or as a mentor should visit CandyUSA.com/FutureLeaders.
