Great Bend's Charles Atkinson, director of the United Soybeans Board representing Kansas, was appointed as a representative to The Center for Food Integrity board of directors. Below is a release from CFI.
Bryan Malenius, director of reputation strategy for public affairs at Chick-fil-A, is the new president of The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) Board of Directors.
Malenius is among a new slate of officers and board members who represent the diversity of today’s food and agriculture value chain. Each brings unique perspectives to CFI’s mission of building trust in today’s food system and the evolving expectations facing the food system – particularly around transparency, credibility and public trust.
“Food and agriculture are facing a period of unprecedented scrutiny and complexity,” said Malenius. “In this environment, trust is essential. I’m honored to serve as board president to support CFI’s strategic initiatives as it partners with industry leaders to navigate these challenges with credibility, transparency and a deeper understanding of the values shaping public expectations.”
Previously serving as vice president, Malenius has been on the board since 2021.
“Bryan understands the expectations of today’s public and the realities facing food and agriculture,” said Charlie Arnot, CFI CEO. “His expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we advance key initiatives to help organizations earn and sustain public trust in an increasingly dynamic environment.”
In addition, the board named Nathan Capps as vice president. Capps is the science and technical director for Bush Brothers & Company. Jill Manata, the senior vice president of sustainability affairs for Dairy Management, Inc., was elected secretary/treasurer. Elected as an at-large executive committee member is Sara Payne, chief marketing and communications officer for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF).
The CFI Board of Directors includes industry leaders Charles Atkinson, an agriculture producer from Great Bend, who represents the United Soybean Board; Grady Bishop, senior director of livestock sustainability at Elanco Animal Health; Ryan Brown, senior director, food safety, quality and regulatory for Cargill Food North America; Kristen Coady, senior vice president and chief communications officer at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA); Marc Cool, global seed policy lead for Corteva Agriscience; Charles Leftwich, vice president of food safety and quality assurance for Sysco Corporation; Sarah Ludmer, chief wellbeing and sustainable business officer for WK Kellogg Co.; Matt Perin, director and head of government relations and regulatory affairs for Kroger; Jessica Sobel, vice president of strategic growth initiatives at Freshpet; Cameron Wallace, vice president, head of strategy at Compeer Financial; and Alex Wibholm, chief operating officer for the National Pork Board. David Fikes, executive director of the FMI Foundation and immediate past CFI board president, will continue to serve on the board as a voting member.
CFI 2026 emeritus members are Doug Buhler, associate vice president for research and innovation at Michigan State University; Jason Clay, senior vice president, markets and food, and executive director, markets institute at World Wildlife Fund (WWF); Craig Wilson, executive vice president at IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group; Ian Reece, former managing director and senior credit officer for food and agribusiness at Rabobank International and chairman of CFI’s Foundation for Food Integrity; and Monica Massey, CEO of the American Cider Association.
Arnot continues as CFI CEO, a role he has held since CFI’s inception. Kelly Leighton, who most recently served as CFI’s vice president of Growth and Engagement, was named CFI executive director in January.
“CFI exists to help the food system earn trust – especially when the public conversation gets harder,” said Leighton. “This board reflects the full food and agriculture value chain and brings the leadership needed to move from polarization to progress. In 2026, CFI will continue to serve as a trusted, neutral table where research, values and real-world decision-making come together to drive credible action.”
Now in its 19th year, CFI is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to build trust in today’s food system. CFI represents the diversity of the food and agriculture value chain through its many members and partners.
To learn more about CFI leadership, membership and strategic initiatives, visit www.foodintegrity.org or contact CFI at learnmore@foodintegrity.org.