Frank Yiannas

Prior Deputy Commissioner for Food at U.S. FDA, Food Safety Executive for Global Brands, Past President of the International Association for Food Protection, Author, Adjunct Professor, Food System Futurist, and Advocate for Consumers

Frank Yiannas is a renowned food safety leader and executive, food system futurist, author, professor, past president of the International Association of Food Protection, and advocate for consumers.

Most recently, he served under two different administrations as the Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a position he held from 2018 to 2023, after spending 30 years in leadership roles with two industry giants: Walmart and the Walt Disney Company.

After retiring from the FDA, Yiannas founded Smarter FY Solutions to help organizations address critical food safety and supply chain challenges. He also advises several prestigious companies, offering consultancy services to modernize compliance strategies and ensure clients meet regulatory requirements and industry standards. Throughout his career, Frank has been recognized for his role in strengthening food safety standards in new and innovative ways, as well as building effective food safety management systems based on modern, science-based, and tech-enabled prevention principles.

Join us for his keynote on February 11 at 10:00am: Fostering a Culture of Safety, Innovation & Excellence

Kathleen Liang, Ph.D.
W.K. Kellogg Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Liang earned her MS and PhD degrees from the Department of Agricultural
Economics from Purdue University. She has been working in agricultural and food systems for over 40 years, and designed/developed/implemented many novel concepts embedded in agri-food policies (e.g., multifunctional agriculture). She is the Director of Center for Environmental Farming Systems, a partnership for over 30 years of history involving three institutions (NCA&T, NCSU, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, https://cefs.ncsu.edu/) to jointly support and promote environmental farming and community health. As an Agricultural Economist, she has unique knowledge and experiences in integrated sciences related to soil, water, climate, and ecosystems (e.g., she is a practicing farmer growing and promoting specialty crops for medicinal purposes, https://cefs.ncsu.edu/field-research/small-farm-unit/). Her passion and specialty areas are entrepreneurship, innovation, integrated impact analysis, and community resiliency. She is also the founder of Dollar Enterprise, one of the best entrepreneurship programs in the US (teaching people to create new opportunities without using additional resources). Her lifetime goal is to advance the knowledge frontiers and explore novel science-based solutions by working with diverse groups who care about the planet and human health.

Join us for her session on February 11 at 2:00pm: Sprouts & Food Security: Growing Nutrition Anywhere, Anytime, Any Climate

Corey Caudill
President, Caudill Sprouting

For the past decade, Corey Caudill has been dedicated to the sprouting industry, serving as Vice President of the International Sprout Growers Association (ISGA) for the past four years. Raised in the seed industry, Corey has been immersed in agriculture from an early age, with farming and cultivation forming a cornerstone of life for the entire Caudill family.

He holds a dual degree in Economics and History from Centre College and earned an MBA from the University of Louisville. A passionate supporter of Louisville Cardinals athletics, Corey also played competitive soccer through college and continues to enjoy the sport recreationally. Beyond agriculture and sports, he maintains a strong interest in American Civil War history and a wide range of historical topics.

Join us for his panel discussion on February 11 at 3:00pm: Seed Suppliers

Lisa Mumm
Co-Owner, Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds

Lisa was raised on her family’s organic farm and is a fourth-generation farmer. She co-owns and operates Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds. Driven by a commitment to organic farming practices and environmental stewardship, Lisa has led Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds to become a trusted brand known for its dedication to quality. Under her leadership, the company has expanded its product line and distribution channels while maintaining a focus on sustainable sourcing and ethical business practices.

Lisa’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach have earned her recognition as a leader in the organic agriculture movement. She sits on the Organic Agriculture Protection Fund Committee of SaskOrganics and serves on the board of the Organic Connections conference. She has served on the CFIA’s Seed Regulatory Modernization Working Group, the CFIA’s Plant Breeder’s Rights Advisory Committee, the Organic Value Chain Roundtable, and on the board of the Canada Organic Trade Association.

Join us for her panel discussion on February 11 at 3:00pm: Seed Suppliers

Additional speaker bios to come!