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Dogwood IFT
Educational Program & Suppliers Night
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Embassy Suites by Hilton - Concord, NC
Technical Seminars: 1:30 – 3:45 pm – Carolina Ballroom
Displays & Reception – 3:30 – 6:30 pm – Concord Salon GHIJ
Growing Dogwood:
Navigating an Evolving Food Landscape
MODERATOR: Erika Hinsdale, Glanbia Nutritionals
1:30pm Welcome - Dogwood IFT
President Justin Liles, Biocatalysts Ltd.
1:35pm
The Value of IFT in an Evolving Food System
1:35-1:55 pm | 2:00-2:05 pm Q&A
Gunnar Sigge, Ph.D., IFT President, Head of Dept of Food Science at Stellenbosch University
Dr. Gunnar Sigge is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Food Science at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, where his research spans food processing, sustainability, food safety and water use in the food industry. He was also integral to the establishment of Stellenbosch University's master's programme in food and nutrition security.
Gunnar has been an active leader in the South African Association for Food Science and Technology, or SAAFoST, for nearly three decades, including serving as president from 2010 to 2013.
His involvement with IFT has been equally extensive. Gunnar first served on the IFT Board of Directors from 2021 to 2024. He has also served on the Annual Meeting Scientific Programme Advisory Panel (AMSPAP) from 2016-2020, the Divisions Champions Team, the Inclusive Systems Review Task Team, the International Division leadership team, and the IFT Strategic Retreat. His longstanding commitment to advancing the food science profession and connecting food scientists across disciplines and borders now continues in his role as 2026–27 IFT President.
2:00pm
The North Carolina Formula: Infrastructure, Talent, and Growth in Food Production
2:00-2:20 -pm | 2:20-2:25 pm Q&A
Dianne Jones, Managing Director - Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (JLL)
Stephanie Blair, Business Recruitment Mgr, EDPNC (Economic Development Partnership of NC
Join two industry leaders as they explore why North Carolina has become a powerhouse in food production and agribusiness site selection. Stephanie Blair from Economic Development Partnership of NC (EDPNC) and Dianne Jones from Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. will decode the strategic advantages that consistently position the state as a top choice for food manufacturers, processors, and distribution operations.
Ms. Dianne Jones serves with JLL as a Managing Director under the Business and Economic Incentives Practice in the Carolinas. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, she specializes in assisting clients with full-service site selection and incentives negotiations across the Southeast. Dianne is responsible for the oversight of site selection and incentives negotiation services to both privately held and publicly traded companies across the United States. Dianne’s expertise has assisted several expansions, site selection and corporate relocation projects, ranging in size from $120,000 to over $1 billion in multiple states. She has a heavy focus on operational analysis and labor analytics in the location decision making process. Dianne received a B.A. in Business Administration from Methodist University. She is a licensed real estate broker in both North Carolina and South Carolina. She can be contacted at Dianne.jones@JLL.com
Ms. Stephanie Blair joined the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, EDPNC, in July 2024. In her role, she works directly with companies and site selection consultants to manage all stages of a business recruitment project, from initial interest in NC to final decision. She serves as a state-level point of contact for local economic developers for projects. A North Carolina native, Stephanie now calls Greensboro home. Stephanie graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received her degree in political science. Prior to joining EDPNC, she served as a Regional Representative for the Office of US Senator Thom Tillis, serving as his eyes and ears in the state in the 23-county region she covered. Stephanie loves being an ambassador for the state of North Carolina and promoting economic growth for its residents. She enjoys connecting individuals and companies with resources that are out there but often unknown. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys traveling, reading (she always enjoys a professional development book recommendation), working in her yard, cooking, and finding the best places to eat. During basketball season, you will find her cheering on her Tar Heels.
2:25pm
Smarter Food Safety: How Data Helps Prevent Problems Before They Happen
2:25-2:45 pm | 2:45-2:50 pm Q&A
Kris Sunkara, M.S., Food Safety Specialist for Digital Solutions – Neogen
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Kris Sunkara M.S. is a Food Safety Specialist for Digital Solutions at Neogen, where he helps FSQA leaders strengthen food safety programs through data-driven solutions and analytics. Before joining Neogen, Kris spent more than a decade leading food safety, quality assurance, and environmental monitoring programs across Poultry processing, Restaurant operations, and Value-add manufacturing environments.
Throughout his career, Kris has held leadership roles with Koch Foods and Case Farms, overseeing HACCP, sanitation, environmental monitoring, allergen management, regulatory compliance, and customer audit programs for major food brands and retailers. His experience includes managing multidisciplinary quality teams, conducting risk assessments, leading root cause investigations, and implementing corrective actions across complex manufacturing operations.
Kris holds a Master's degree in Food Science from Texas Tech University. As a former QA and Food Safety Manager, he is passionate about helping food safety professionals translate data into actionable decisions that reduce risk, improve compliance, and strengthen environmental monitoring programs.
2:50pm
A Gut Sense for Protein
2:50-3:10 pm | 3:10-3:15 pm Q&A
Zach Lorsch, MD, Fellow, Medical Instructor – Duke University
Zachary Lorsch M.D, Ph.D. is an Instructor in the Department of Medicine at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. He is a practicing gastroenterologist and scientist who studies clinical and behavioral implications of rapid gut-brain communication. His current work in the laboratory of Dr. Diego Bohórquez focuses on how the gut senses dietary protein and how gut-brain pathways are implicated in protein-seeking behavior. He completed his MD and PhD at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, where he completed his PhD in neuroscience. His clinical training in internal medicine as well as gastroenterology took place at Duke. He is a Duke Medicine Hershfield Scholar, a recent participant in the Young Investigator Forum of the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (2025), and an Emerging Generation Awardee of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (2025).
3:15pm
From Idea to Innovation: How North Carolina Made it Happen
The people, partnerships and technology behind the creation of a groundbreaking food-processing innovation from research to commercial production.
3:15-3:35 pm | 3:35-3:40 pm Q&A
Bill Heafy, Director of Processing Operations, YAMCO
William (Bill) Heafy is a food industry professional and leader with YAMCO, a North Carolina-based company specializing in vegetable puree and beverage manufacturing. As Operations Sales Manager and General Manager, Mr. Heafy has helped advance innovative applications for locally grown sweet potatoes and other vegetables. His work includes the commercialization of patented processes for nutrient-rich, shelf-stable purees used in bakery, soup, beverage, and baby food applications. He has collaborated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and North Carolina State University on research and product development. Bill is particularly focused on the nutritional and market advantages of naturally sweet vegetables, including their potential to reduce sugar, fat, and oil while retaining valuable phytochemicals. His work reflects a commitment to food innovation, sustainable sourcing, and supporting local agriculture
3:40 - 3:45pm
Closing Remarks
Moderator: Erika Hinsdale – Glanbia Nutritionals
