IDFA announces retirement of Roberta Wagner

USA – Roberta Wagner, Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs for the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), announced her plans to retire from the organization, effective Feb. 15, 2027.

IDFA also announced that Dr. Samuel Alcaine will succeed Wagner as senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs, and Michelle Albee Matto, M.P.H., R.D.N., has been promoted to Vice President, regulatory affairs and chief nutrition scientist, effective immediately.

Wagner joined IDFA in 2023 and has led the association’s Regulatory and Scientific Affairs team through a period of significant change in food and nutrition policy.

“It has been an honor to serve IDFA and its members during this important period for our industry. The dairy industry is filled with dedicated leaders and innovators who care deeply about food safety, nutrition and providing consumers with high-quality products. As I transition into retirement,

“IDFA’s regulatory and scientific affairs work is in incredibly capable hands and well positioned to continue helping members navigate complex issues, advance sound policy and strengthen the dairy industry.”

While in this role, IDFA strengthened its engagement with federal and international regulators, expanded member support on emerging scientific and regulatory issues and advanced science-based policies that protect public health while supporting innovation and growth in the dairy industry.

Prior to joining IDFA, Wagner held leadership positions at the Consumer Brands Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety & Inspection Service and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, where she spent more than 25 years helping shape food safety policy and implementation.

During her tenure at IDFA, she guided member companies through evolving regulatory challenges and helped ensure dairy’s voice remained at the forefront of critical conversations surrounding food safety, labeling, nutrition, sustainability and innovation.

Concurrently, IDFA also announced the promotion of Matto to vice president, regulatory affairs and chief nutrition scientist, effective immediately.

A registered dietitian nutritionist with a Master of Public Health, Matto has become an indispensable resource to IDFA and its members, providing leadership on nutrition policy and advancing the association’s work at the intersection of nutrition, health and regulatory affairs.

In her expanded role, she will lead IDFA’s nutrition, health and wellness policy portfolio while continuing to support the association’s broader regulatory and scientific affairs priorities.

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