2023 Convention Yearbook.indd

BUSINESS SESSION SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 2023 Grocery Trends Update

John Dunham is the Managing Partner of John Dunham & Associates. John specializes in the economics of how public policy issues affect products and services. He has conducted hundreds of studies on taxes and regulation. Dunham is regularly consulted by Reuters and other media covering business and economics, and his work has been reported in national broadcast and print news outlets. His research has been published in a number of refereed journals including Economic Inquiry. Prior to starting his own firm, John was the senior U.S. economist with Philip Morris, producing research and information on key issues facing all of the company’s divisions. Before this, John was a senior economist for the New York City Mayor’s Office, the New York City Comptroller’s Office, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. John received his M.A. in economics from the New School for Social Research and his MBA from Columbia University. He is a member of the American Economics Association. Leslie G. Sarasin is the president and chief executive officer of FMI – The Food Industry Association. FMI is a champion for the food industry and the issues that make a difference to our members’ fundamental mission of feeding and enriching society. The reach and impact of our work is extensive, ultimately touching the lives of over 100 million households in the United States and representing an $800 billion industry with nearly 6 million employees. Under her leadership, FMI has emerged as a member-centered organization helping food retailing venues find new and future facing ways of feeding families and enriching lives. A committed collaborator, Sarasin has infused FMI with a vision of cooperative action that amplifies the association’s ability to assist its members in addressing the critical industry issues of the day. Prior to joining FMI more than a decade ago, Sarasin spent 19 years at the American Frozen Food Institute, serving as president and CEO for the last nine of those years. She also held positions at the National Food Brokers Association, Crest International Corporation and Salomon Brothers. Sarasin holds a JD from the University of San Diego and a BA in economics from Smith College. Sarasin is admitted to practice law in California and the District of Columbia. Her professional, social and personal commitments are reflected through service on the Boards of the Partnership for a Healthier America, National Chamber Foundation, the Congressional Hunger Center, the Corporate Advisory Board of So Others Might Eat (SOME) and Gonzaga College High School. Additional leadership roles include membership on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Committee of 100 and active participation in the International Women’s Forum of Washington, D.C. Sarasin has been recognized multiple times among Supermarket News’ “Power Fifty,” Progressive Grocer’s list of “Top Women in Grocery” and Mass Market Retailer’s “Most Influential Women.” She was awarded the prestigious Hospitality Good Scout Award by the Boy Scouts of America in 2019. In 2021, Sarasin was named “Association CEO of the Year” by CEO Update. Economic Report for the Grocery Industry

2023 Annual Show Yearbook | Page 18