The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has announced that Meghan Dicks will transition from her current role as director of membership and engagement to director of regulatory affairs effective September 1, following the retirement of Louise Calderwood.
In her new role, Dicks will bring her strong background in regulatory affairs and association operations to the AFIA’s policy team, providing strategic leadership on regulatory, legislative and scientific issues affecting the animal food industry, with primary responsibility for animal food safety, pet food, equine and scientific regulatory affairs.
“We are excited for both Meghan and Louise. Since joining in 2024, Meghan has played a vital role in strengthening member engagement and delivering value to AFIA members,” said AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman. “We are eager to welcome her to the policy team and know her experience and leadership will help advance AFIA’s regulatory initiatives. We also thank Louise for her years of dedicated service and contributions to the association and the industry. We wish Louise a wonderful retirement filled with new adventures and every happiness, and we look forward to following wherever her next chapter takes her."
After eight years with the AFIA, Calderwood will retire from her role as director of regulatory affairs.
Since joining the AFIA in 2018, she has provided leadership on regulatory, pet food, equine and state policy issues, while serving as staff liaison to the Pet Food Committee, the Quality and Animal Food Safety Committee and the Equine Committee.
Calderwood has also been a key voice for the industry with the Association of American Feed Control Officials, helping advance science-based policies and regulatory solutions that support animal food manufacturers.
Since taking over the annual Pet Food Conference, held in conjunction with the International Production & Processing Expo, Calderwood has grown it to a 500-person, day-long experience that provides value and resources to attendees.
The AFIA extends its sincere gratitude to Calderwood for her dedication, expertise and service to the industry and wishes her all the best in retirement, including spending more time on her Vermont maple syrup farm.
Since joining the AFIA in September 2024 as director of membership and engagement, Dicks has led the association's membership program, advancing member recruitment, engagement, retention and value.
She has been instrumental in leading improvements to the AFIA's core membership processes, keeping members at the center of the association's programs, services and communications while strengthening the association's long-term success. Prior to joining the AFIA, Dicks served as the regulatory and scientific affairs manager at ADM Animal and Pet Nutrition, North America, where she provided regulatory and animal food safety guidance for the company's animal food and pet product portfolio.
Combined with her early career experience as an animal food ingredient buyer and merchandiser, she brings a unique combination of regulatory, animal food safety and supply chain expertise to her new role.
As part of this transition, the AFIA is recruiting for a new director of membership and engagement. The director of membership and engagement provides strategic leadership for the AFIA's membership program, driving member recruitment, engagement, retention and value by overseeing the systems, processes and initiatives that strengthen membership, enhance the member experience and support the AFIA's long-term growth and success.
AFIA encourages qualified candidates, referrals and recommendations as the search gets underway. Interested individuals should submit inquiries and application materials to [email protected] by July 10. To learn more about this role and other open positions, visit AFIA’s careers page.
