Dr. Donna Garren is currently Executive Vice President of Science and Policy for the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and leads the Scientific and Regulatory Affairs and Legislative Affairs programs for AFFI. Her extensive background and expertise in food safety, food science, nutrition, and regulatory affairs are instrumental in building and enhancing strong and effective regulatory and legislative programs for the food and beverage industry. Prior to joining AFFI, Dr. Garren was the President and General Manager for NSF Agriculture (formerly NSF Davis Fresh), a business unit of NSF International. Dr. Garren was the Vice President, Food Safety Programmes for The Consumer Goods Forum. She was responsible for the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) activities in the Americas. Dr. Garren was the Vice President, Health and Safety Regulatory Affairs for the National Restaurant Association, headquartered in Washington, DC prior to her tenure at The Consumer Goods Forum. Her responsibilities included advising and representing the NRA and its membership on health and safety legislative and regulatory issues impacting the restaurant industry. Before joining the National Restaurant Association, she spent six years as the Vice President, Scientific and Technical Affairs at the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association (United). She was responsible for all produce food safety, food security and food quality related issues and activities, science-based regulatory and legislative activities, and technical consultation to United’s membership. In addition, Dr. Garren began her professional career at Boskovich Farms, Inc. as the Director of Research & Development / Product Safety. She drove the creation and introduction of produce food safety programs. Dr. Garren graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in food science and nutrition, with a minor in microbiology. She earned her doctorate degree in food science and technology with an emphasis in food microbiology from the University of Georgia.