Meet Vanessa Bailey: Navigating Health and Innovation for the Future of Food

In a world where health and technology increasingly intersect, Vanessa Bailey stands at the forefront of this dynamic convergence. As the Senior Manager of Strategy and Innovation for Ingredion’s Healthful Solutions business, Vanessa’s nearly two-decade journey in marketing and brand management has culminated in a passionate pursuit of the next big thing in health and nutrition. Join us as we explore Vanessa’s vision for a healthier future, her philosophy on incremental progress and the joy she finds in the act of sharing her hobbies with her children, all of which paint a picture of a leader who is as forward-thinking as she is grounded in the things that matter most.?

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Q: What is the most exciting trend or change that you’re seeing in ingredients and food?

A: I find it really exciting that consumers are increasingly using food to proactively manage their health. Even with the rise in health epidemics like diabetes and obesity, I’m optimistic that consumers can lead the way by understanding their health and wellness needs and making lifestyle changes to address them. I also love how technology has made so much more information available to help guide decisions and meet individual needs.

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Q: What projects are you currently working on, and what interests you about them?

A: Currently I'm working in strategy and innovation for Ingredion’s Healthful Solutions business. I’m part of the team that is looking for what’s next in health and nutrition and how we can position Ingredion and our customers to be successful in that space. I think it’s been helpful to have a background in brand marketing because I am always watching what consumers are talking about, and thinking about how Ingredion could fill a gap in the market. It’s difficult to try and picture how things will be five years from now, but also an interesting challenge to take on.

Q: What are your passions outside of work? Any hobbies or activities you particularly enjoy?

A: Right now, I’m most passionate about raising my two children who are in elementary school. I still like to do all of the hobbies that I’ve always enjoyed such as biking, running and experimenting in the kitchen, but now I get to do those things with my kids and view it all with their take on it, which is fun. They are really creative and help me to be open to new ideas.

Q: How do these interests contribute to your overall well-being or influence your professional life?

A: I think making connections with people of another generation, whether it’s younger family members or older ones, is a great way to gain perspective and understanding. This is influential to my professional life because it’s part of my job to try and understand the perspectives and needs of many different types of consumers. Being around young kids is always a great reminder that we all see things a little differently.

Q: Do you have any personal or professional philosophies that you adhere to?

A: I believe in making incremental changes in a positive direction. I read Atomic Habits by James Clear a year or two ago and I thought some of his advice related to incorporating incremental changes into everyday routines has been really effective for me in a variety of ways. I find that for me, things are just more likely to stick that way, and over time they can yield big results.

About Vanessa Bailey?

Vanessa Bailey is the Senior Manager of Strategy and Innovation for the Healthful Solutions business at Ingredion. Before this role, Vanessa’s career spanned almost 20 years in multiple areas of marketing and brand management. She’s passionate about food and health and loves that it’s the focus of her job. It’s hard for her to imagine doing anything else.