FoodMinds Announces Positive Growth in 2014, Expands its Team of Experts and its Chicago Headquarters

CHICAGO, Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- FoodMinds, a food and nutrition consulting and communications agency, is on track for its third year of double-digit growth according to current projections. The agency is exceeding budget expectations with existing and new clients as it enters the last four months of 2014, and is also growing its team.  FoodMinds is adding new communications, science, and public affairs experts, as well as promoting several of its current team members, to meet increased demand from its growing client portfolio. As a result of this growth, FoodMinds is adding to its Chicago footprint, doubling the size of its headquarters. 

"Our growth and current momentum reflect the increasing demand for strategic counsel in food and nutrition affairs, which we expect to continue as food and beverage companies and organizations seek to address challenges in public health, policy, and the food supply," said Bill Layden, FoodMinds co-founder. "We are thrilled to strengthen our talented and seasoned FoodMinds team and expand our company to meet the needs of clients on all things food and nutrition-related."

FoodMinds added nine new experts to its unique team of food and nutrition specialists over the past six months. They bring a range of food, nutrition, and policy experience to the FoodMinds team to tell a better story for their clients. FoodMinds welcomed Sara Ahmadvand, MBA, RDE,  assistant account executive; Anne Buckley, administrative assistant; Nicci Brown, MS, RD, assistant account executive; Kristen Livermore, vice president; Allison Mikita, MS, senior account supervisor; Erin Moore Ruddy, MS, account executive; Yvonne Morales, MS, RD, account executive; Natalie Shafer, senior vice president; and Stacey Stevens, senior vice president. FoodMinds continues to recruit additional employees to be based in its Chicago and Washington, D.C. offices.

FoodMinds also announced the advancement of several of its current employees to new roles, recognizing their achievements and the agency's commitment to career growth and development. Erin DeSimone, MS, RD, LDN, managing director, and Michelle Kijek, managing director, were appointed to the newly established role of associate partner. Julie Alessi Pappas, RD, senior account executive, was promoted to the role of account supervisor.

The new Chicago office of FoodMinds is located at 328 S. Jefferson St., suite 750 (previously in suite 420) and serves as the agency's headquarters. Its D.C. office, opened in January 2014, continues to grow.

ABOUT FOODMINDS
Founded in 2006, FoodMinds is a food and nutrition consulting company that harnesses science, public affairs and communications to help its clients tell a better story that makes a difference. The winner of the 2013 Holmes Report Boutique Agency of the Year and the 2012 Gold Sabre award in the public affairs category, FoodMinds is also ranked in the top 10 U.S. independent food and beverage public relations firms by O'Dwyer's. FoodMinds works with more than 30 leading food, beverage and nutrition companies, commodities and associations in the U.S. and around the world, and is actively involved in the dialogue on major food and nutrition topics.

SOURCE FoodMinds