Susan Borra named FMI's SVP communications

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Marketing Institute on Tuesday announced the appointment of Susan Borra as SVP communications for the nation’s largest food retail trade association, effective Dec. 1.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Susan to FMI,” stated Leslie Sarasin, FMI president and CEO. “Her breadth and depth of knowledge about communications and the food industry will greatly benefit FMI and its members. ... She has a tremendous capacity for handling challenging communications issues and great insight about issues important to food retailers.”

Borra joins FMI from Edelman public relations, where she was EVP and managing director of nutrition, food and wellness.

Borra will serve as a spokeswoman for FMI and will manage media outreach in support of FMI’s public affairs issues, programs, products, services and events. Borra will oversee all online communications, including the FMI website and social media accounts. She will provide communications expertise and counsel to FMI members and will direct the activities of the FMI Communications Committee and the Consumer/Community Affairs and Social Responsibility Committee.

Borra has more than 30 years of experience representing the food retailing and food processing industries. Previously she served as EVP at the International Food Information Council, where she directed the development of strategic communications programs and public affairs strategies about food, nutrition and food safety issues. She also led the development of consumer education initiatives and programs, and served as the president of the IFIC Foundation.

In addition to her communications background, Borra also is a registered dietitian and served as president of the American Dietetic Association from 2001 to 2002, and as chairman of the ADA Foundation from 1999 to 2000. She currently serves as chairman of the public information committee for the American Society for Nutrition and is active with the American Heart Association and the Institute of Food Technologists.

Borra’s career also includes a prior role at FMI when she served as director of consumer affairs. During that time, she was responsible for developing and managing the nutrition, food safety and consumer affairs programs on behalf of retail member companies.

Borra earned a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Maryland at College Park, and completed her dietetic internship at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore.