WESTCHESTER, Ill., April 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ingredion Incorporated
(NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to the food and
beverage industry, today announced the appointment of Dr. Michael Leonard to the
role of senior vice president, chief innovation officer and head of protein
fortification, effective May 13, 2024. Leonard will serve as a member of the
Company's executive leadership team and will report to Jim Zallie, president and
chief executive officer.
Over his 21-year career, Leonard has led product development and
commercialization across multiple food and beverage categories in domestic and
global markets, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region where he lived and
worked. He has a proven track record of driving growth and productivity through
his leadership of global R&D functions, process technology and business
development.
"With his vast experience in the food and beverage industry, deep technical
knowledge and proven record of new product and process innovation, I am thrilled
Mike is joining Ingredion to further strengthen our diversified portfolio of
ingredients and solutions and drive continued advancements in innovation," said
Zallie. "Mike's broad industry leadership experience in both developed and
emerging markets, with multinationals as well as high-growth startup companies,
will be a tremendous asset to Ingredion and our customers."
Leonard joins Ingredion from MycoTechnology, where he serves as the chief
executive officer, leading the food technology startup company's transformation
and global expansion of new protein and bioactive technology platforms for the
specialty food ingredient industry. Before MycoTechnology, Leonard served as the
chief executive officer and the chief technology officer of Motif FoodWorks,
where he spearheaded new product discovery, development and commercialization
across the startup's plant-based food ingredient portfolio. Prior to Motif,
Leonard served in progressive leadership roles in R&D, engineering and business
development at Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, DuPont Nutrition and Health, and
International Flavors & Fragrances.
"I'm honored to be joining the team at Ingredion at such an exciting time in our
industry, where an agile, entrepreneurial approach to innovation is critical for
driving growth. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have served MycoTechnology,
a true disruptor in the value-added food ingredient space, and look forward to
bringing my experience in both startup and multinational companies to accelerate
innovation at Ingredion," said Leonard.
Leonard holds a BS in Chemistry from Roanoke College, a Ph.D. in Polymer Science
and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and an MBA from
the MIT Sloan School of Management.
About Ingredion
Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, is
a leading global ingredient solutions provider serving customers in nearly 120
countries. With 2023 annual net sales of approximately $8 billion, the Company
turns grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant-based materials into value-
added ingredient solutions for the food, beverage, animal nutrition, brewing and
industrial markets. With Ingredion Idea Labs(®)?innovation centers located
around the world and more than 12,000 employees, the Company co-creates with
customers and fulfills its purpose of bringing the potential of people, nature,
and technology together to make life better. Visit ingredion.com
(https://ir.ingredionincorporated.com) for more information and the latest
Company news.
CONTACT:
Investors: Noah Weiss, 773-896-5242
Media: corpcomm@ingredion.com
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