Word from the Product Development Division's Chair- Kaavya Rathnakumar

Greetings all,

I hope this message finds each of you well. As the Chair of the IFT Product Development Division, it gives me immense pleasure to pen this message. First, I would like to congratulate our past Chair, Shima Shayanfar , and her incredible leadership team for a successful year.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and the holiday season in full swing, many of us are feeling the bustle that comes with year-end responsibilities. The colder weather reminds us that the year’s end is approaching quickly, and I know each of you has a full plate of activities and commitments, both personal and professional.

As we approach this busy season, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your valuable contributions and unwavering support for our division. The time and effort you dedicate to IFT do not go unnoticed, and it’s your commitment that makes our community thrive.

The goal for the upcoming year is to foster a diverse environment within our division and improve collaboration’s with other IFT divisions, enhancing member engagement and communication across various platforms. I am very excited about the upcoming events we have planned, including Lunch & Learns, technical outreach (PD 101s), and collaborative initiatives such as the mentorship program with the Dairy Division, infographic competitions with the International Division, and webinars with the Nutraceutical Division.

Looking ahead, I encourage anyone interested in taking on a more active role whether through leadership or volunteer position-please reach out to me or any team member. Your perspectives and contributions are always welcome, and there’s always room for more engagement.

Thank you once again for all you do, and I’m looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Thanks,

Kaavya Rathnakumar