The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced new upcoming board leadership following its fall board meeting Nov. 12, 2025,  in Washington, D.C.

Nick Wolfenden, global sustainable animal welfare director at Cargill, will serve as board chairperson beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Brett Kaysen, senior vice president of producer and state engagement at the National Pork Board, was appointed chairperson-elect with a term also beginning in January. Tom Super, senior vice president of public affairs at the National Chicken Council, will continue to serve as treasurer of the board.

“The Alliance board of directors and executive leadership play a vital role in providing direction to support the organization’s mission to safeguard the future of animal agriculture,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO. “Nick, Brett and Tom are longtime members of the Alliance board and stand-out leaders of the animal agriculture community. I have no doubt they will be exceptional leaders in these important roles.”

In his role at Cargill, Wolfenden leads collaboration for a team of welfare and sustainability professionals in the development and implementation of the company’s animal welfare strategy, policies, and operational standards. Cargill or one of its subsidiaries has held a seat on the Alliance board since 2004, and Wolfenden has represented them since 2020.

Wolfenden takes the helm from Lisa McComb, strategic communication consultant at Vision Media, who completes her term as chairperson on Dec. 31 and will continue to serve as immediate past chairperson.

“The Alliance staff and board are deeply grateful to Lisa for her year of service,” Thompson-Weeman said. “Her passion for developing and empowering people coupled with her years of experience navigating issues and crisis situations for farmers and food brands proved to be invaluable as we worked through the challenges and opportunities of the past year.”

Kaysen leads the organization-wide grassroots relations efforts for NPB, empowering state associations to address the evolving needs of pork producers while driving long-term success for the U.S. pork industry. National Pork Board has held a seat on the Alliance board since 2000, represented by Kaysen since 2018.

Super is responsible for day-to-day media relations, media outreach, social media management  and strategic communications planning to supplement NCC’s legislative, regulatory and public affairs efforts.

In addition to new board leadership, Perdue Farms Inc. will join the board as a new member starting Jan. 1, 2026. Perdue will be represented on the board by Herb Frerichs, general counsel and director of government affairs.

Several board seats were also renewed or extended at the meeting, including:

• Alltech, Inc., represented by Claire Geegan, global product launch manager
• American Farm Bureau Federation, represented by RJ Layher, director, government relations
• American Feed Industry Association, represented by Leah Wilkinson, chief policy officer
• Cooper Farmers, represented by Lisa Kahlig, corporate communications manager
• Dairy Management Inc., represented by Joe Micucci, vice president, corporate communications – crisis & issues
• Hy-Line North America, LLC, represented by Pete Block, president
• Meat Institute, represented by Eric Mittenthal, chief strategy officer
• Merck Animal Health, represented by Dave Sjeklocha, DVM, technical services manager
• National Corn Growers Association, represented by Michael Granché, director of trade, transportation, and animal agriculture
• National Pork Producers Council, represented by Jeff Pigott, vice president of industry relations
• New Mexico State University, represented by Robert Hagevoort, PhD, professor and extension dairy specialist
• Nutrien, represented by Adam Proctor, senior director, feed sales
• U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, represented by Hannah Keck, director of communications
• United Soybean Board, represented by Jesse Patrick, director
• Zoetis, represented by Michele Barrett, DVM, medical lead, veterinary specialty operations, US Cattle Technical Services.

The complete list of Alliance board members and organization representatives is available on the Alliance website at www.animalagalliance.org/about/board.

Source: Animal Agriculture Alliance