IDFA Names Heather Soubra Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Industry Relations

IDFA Names Heather Soubra Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Industry Relations

Soubra returns to lead IDFA's NextGen Leadership Program, strengthen board and member engagement, and execute against the organization's new strategic plan

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2026-The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced today that Heather Soubra has rejoined the association as senior vice president, strategic initiatives and industry relations. In this role, Soubra will lead IDFA's highly successful NextGen Leadership Program, deepen collaboration with IDFA members and board leaders, and drive execution of the association's new strategic plan, Vision of the Future 2.0. She will report to Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA.

"Heather is a trusted strategist and results-oriented leader who knows IDFA, our members and the dairy industry deeply," said Dykes. "She understands how to bring people together, move complex work forward and deliver results. I am excited to welcome Heather back to the IDFA team and look forward to the impact she will have as we continue delivering meaningful value to our members and advancing IDFA's mission to make a difference for dairy."

Soubra previously served as IDFA's senior vice president of strategic initiatives and chief of staff, overseeing key organizational initiatives and the day-to-day operations of the Executive Office. During her tenure, she worked closely with IDFA colleagues, members and governance leaders to advance the association's strategic priorities; led program development and execution for major initiatives, including IDFA's Dairy Forum; and designed and implemented the IDFA People Strategy, a suite of programs focused on leadership, organizational well-being and building the workforce and organizations of the future.

"IDFA members are among the most innovative leaders in the food and beverage industry, and I am excited to return to an organization and industry that mean so much to me," said Soubra. "I look forward to working with Michael, the IDFA team and leaders across the dairy industry to strengthen collaboration, support strategic priorities and build the relationships and programs that will move the industry forward."

Most recently, Soubra served as director of the George Washington Leadership Institute at Mount Vernon, where she designed and facilitated leadership programming for leaders in government agencies, trade associations and other organizations. She is an International Coaching Federation Certified Coach and a member of the Forbes Coaches Council. She received her Professional Certified Coach credential through the International Coaching Federation and her Executive Certificate in Facilitation from Georgetown University.

A graduate of George Mason University, Soubra earned her degree in intercultural communication and received her certificate in coaching from George Mason University's Institute for Leadership Excellence. Her direct experience as a senior association leader, strategist and executive coach informs her work helping leaders navigate complex organizations, build collaboration and cultivate workplaces where people thrive.

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Contact: [email protected]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in direct wages and $779 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA's diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.