Category Archives: Honorees and Award Recipients

| Honorees and Award Recipients

WFFC Announces 2023 Annual Recognition Award Recipients

Glen Rock, NJ – The WFFC is pleased to announce the 2023 Annual Recognition
Award recipients.

They are Ana Paula Mendonça, IFF (Nancy Poulos Leadership),
Alison Freedman, DSM-Firmenich (Flavorist Recognition), Adriana Medina,
Givaudan (Perfumer Recognition), and Eimear Robertson, Kerry (Innovation
Excellence).

The award recipients will be honored at the WFFC Annual Recognition Dinner on
Thursday, June 14, 2023, at the Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City, New
Jersey.

Ana Paula Mendonça is a results-driven leader with more than twenty-eight years
in the fragrance and flavor industry and nineteen years of international experience. Ana Paula is the Senior Vice President, Commercial Excellence at IFF with a proven track record in managing broader cross-functional teams and operating successfully in culturally diverse environments. Ana’s understanding of the industry has been instrumental in driving the growth of IFF.

Ana Paula has had diverse leadership roles in sales, business development, marketing, category management, creation, design and innovation, and general management. Ana Paula was the first female leader appointed as Vice President, Regional General Manager of Consumer Fragrance at IFF.

In 2022, Ana Paula became the President of Fragrance Ingredients and joined the Scent Executive Committee. Ana Paula is fully engaged in the D&EI agenda having moved around the IFF world with her family from her home country of Brazil to the United States and the Netherlands. Outside of work, Ana Paula enjoys spending time with friends and family, and is a proud mother of two. Ana Paula is a professional with a strong passion for people, products, and the planet.


Alison Freedman is a Senior Flavorist at DSM-Firmenich working to create flavors
for sweet, savory, and beverage applications. Alison is currently serving as an
advisory board member for Perfumer & Flavorist+ and as the chairperson for The
Society of Flavor Chemists Media Communications Committee.

Alison is passionate about her client-facing experience creating winning tastes, developing innovative products, and advancing health-focused impacts for global food and beverage clients. Alison, a Virginia Tech graduate, spends free time studying wine and is a Level III Sommelier pursuing Level IV certification.


Adriana Medina, Vice President Perfumery, Fragrance & Beauty at Givaudan, gets
inspiration from a childhood in Bogota, Colombia which triggered curiosity with
the intersection of art and science. With a true belief that we are all empowered to
make a difference, Adriana’s perfumery style comes from a vibrant personality –
bold, full of energy, and colorful. Inspired by the great Colombian writer, Gabriel
Garcia Marquez, it is quoted “between reality and nostalgia is the raw material of
my work,” which sums up Adriana’s philosophy and Adriana’s approach to
creation.


Eimear Robertson joined Kerry in Ireland after graduating in 2004 and celebrates
more than a nineteen-year career at Kerry. Within various roles at Kerry, Eimear
has built solid, trustworthy relationships with customers. Working together with
them to solve the many opportunities the North American marketplace presents,
while launching new and renovating existing products.

Eimear serves as the Chief Technical Officer, and currently leads the research, development and applications, and regulatory and scientific affairs teams in North America. Eimear’s passion and drive are fueled by the exceptional talents and capabilities of the Kerry team.

Eimear holds a degree in food science from the University College Dublin, Ireland
and serves on community, industry and leadership groups including Chief. Eimear
lives in the Chicago area and enjoys time with family, walking, traveling, cooking,
and now watching soccer.

For more information, please visit our website www.wffc.org or contact us at info@wffc.org

About the WFFC
The WFFC is a professional association that was founded in 1982 by a group of forward-thinking members whose vision was to provide women in the flavor and fragrance industry with a forum for networking, education, career advancement, and camaraderie.  The WFFC is a growing organization that strives to educate, engage, and empower its members.

| Honorees and Award Recipients

WFFC Announces Award Honoring Pat Halle at the 27th Annual Golf Outing & Clinic

Glen Rock, NJ – The Women in Flavor and Fragrance Commerce, Inc. (WFFC) is pleased to announce the upcoming 27th Annual Golf Outing and Clinic. Returning to the picturesque Forest Hill Field Club, the event will be held on August 30, 2022. The WFFC will be honoring the late Pat Halle with her own award and recognition.

Pat Halle, a founding member of WFFC, dedicated almost 50 years of her life to the purchasing of ingredients for the Flavor and Fragrance industry, starting at Dragoco, moving on to J. Manheimer, and then to Ungerer and Company as Director of Purchasing. Pat unfortunately passed away May 16, 2022. Her legacy lives on through the love of her family and her strong loyalty to her friends. In her honor, a new award called the “For the Love of the Game Award” will be given out annually at the WFFC Golf Outing & Clinic.

For more information, please visit our website www.wffc.org or contact us at info@wffc.org

About the WFFC
The WFFC is a professional association that was founded in 1982 by a group of forward-thinking members whose vision was to provide women in the flavor and fragrance industry with a forum for networking, education, career advancement, and camaraderie.  The WFFC is a growing organization that strives to educate, engage, and empower its members.

| Honorees and Award Recipients

WFFC Announces 2022 Annual Gala Honoree

Glen Rock, NJ – The Women in Flavor and Fragrance Commerce, Inc. (WFFC) is pleased to announce that Megan Crokos, Senior Vice President Product & Fragrance Development, Bath and Body Works (BBW), will be honored at the 38th WFFC Annual Gala on September 15, 2022, at the Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, New Jersey.

In this role, Megan Crokos leads ideation and defines big picture strategies for all personal care & home products, leading the creation of more than 1,000 new skus.

Megan joined BBW in 2007 as Director of Creative Product Innovations. In 2009, she was promoted to AVP and in 2012, her role expanded adding Creative Fragrance and Innovations to Product Development. In 2013, she was promoted to Vice President and later to Senior Vice President in 2019. As well as her promotion, Megan was given the Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Top Talent Award. Megan is also a member of Chief, which is a private network connecting and supporting women leaders.

Prior to her tenure with BBW, Megan spent more than 20 years creating and marketing new color cosmetics, facial skincare, fragrant body care and home products with Estee Lauder, Clinique, MAC, Jo Malone, La Mer, L’Oréal/Lancôme, Calvin Klein Beauty, and Revlon. Starting her career behind the counter, she was promoted several times until she became the Executive Director Global Product Development.

For more information, please visit our website www.wffc.org or contact us at info@wffc.org

About the WFFC

The WFFC is a professional association that was founded in 1982 by a group of forward-thinking members whose vision was to provide women in the flavor and fragrance industry with a forum for networking, education, career advancement, and camaraderie.  The WFFC is a growing organization that strives to educate, engage, and empower its more than 500 members.

| Honorees and Award Recipients

WFFC Announces 2022 Annual Recognition Award Recipients

Glen Rock, NJ – The WFFC is pleased to announce the 2022 Annual Recognition
Award recipients. They are Gillian Bleimann Boucard, Berje, Inc. (Nancy Poulos
Leadership Award), Elsa Howerth, Kerry (Flavorist Recognition Award), Christina
Christie, IFF (Perfumer Recognition Award) and Sarah Willet, Kerry (Innovative
Excellence Award).


The award recipients will be honored at the WFFC Annual Recognition Dinner on
Thursday, June 16, 2022, at the Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City, New
Jersey.

Gillian -Bleimann Boucard

An active member of the flavor and fragrance community for over 22 years, Gillian
Bleimann-Boucard is the recipient of the Nancy Poulos Leadership Award. Gillian
began her career as a student, spending her summers in Berje’s fragrance
laboratory. These summers in the lab along with the guidance of her father, Kim
Bleimann, sparked her interest in the industry throughout her college years.
Beginning in 2006, Gillian started her career at Berje as part of a rotational
training program, working in areas of quality control, regulatory and product
management. Helping Berje expand its global partnerships throughout Europe,
Asia, Australia and South America, Gillian led the company’s global purchasing
team.

As of 2021, Gillian has ascended to the role of CEO at Berje, carrying the
company into its third generation of family ownership. Throughout her entire career, Gillian has remained hyper-focused on providing stability and sustainability for the next generation of her industry. When Gillian is not working at Berje, her time is spent enjoying time with her family between New Jersey and Texas.

Elsa Howerth

Elsa Howerth, RD&A Director/Senior Flavorist III at Kerry, is the recipient of the
Flavorist Recognition Award. Elsa has been in the flavor industry for over thirty
years, although she came to the United States as a foreign student to study
physical therapy. She received a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and food
administration, while training to be a flavorist in a career path she didn’t know
existed. With her passion and skill set, Elsa advanced in her career moving into a
technical director role overseeing both quality control and regulatory.

Elsa now excels in her current role at Kerry in Beloit, Wisconsin, as she continues to work on flavors across product categories and as a technical manager in complex reduction initiatives while mentoring/training juniors. Elsa is an active volunteer for the Society of Flavor Chemists and a participating member of FEMA committees.

Christina Christie

Christina Christie, Senior Perfumer at IFF, is recipient of the Perfumer Recognition
Award. Christina Christie did not know she would become a perfumer. However,
with olfaction as her main sense, this paved the way for an amazing career in
fragrances. Christina recalls the sensitivity she had to scents and kept sensation
records while growing up in New York City. Still unaware of the industry after
graduating college, a headhunter helped her find her first job in the industry.

This introduction to perfumery while working in a marketing position, changed her fate
and her career path. Christina eventually trained as a perfumer at Takasago while
working there for 14 years; eventually going back to her roots in New York City to
become a Senior Perfumer at IFF.

Sarah Willet

With its induction in 2016, the Innovation Excellence Award is offered to
individuals that act as role models in guiding change and innovation. This year’s
recipient is Sarah Willet, Ph.D., Senior RD&A Scientist – Innovation at Kerry.

In Sarah’s role, she focuses on areas for lipid systems, enzyme processes, and
encapsulation of flavors and bioactives. Completing her PhD at the University of
Georgia in 2019, Sarah’s research focus was on production of structured lipids
containing menhaden fish oil, oleogels, and potential healthy beneficial lipids in
food products. An active member of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS),
Sarah has won multiple awards, including Biotechnology Student Awards and the
Hans Kauntiz Award.

Her active membership also includes serving as the vice chair of the biotechnology division, chair of Young Professionals Common Interest Group, and newsletter editor. Her hobbies include eating desserts and running with her chocolate lab Godiva and fiancé Jose.

For more information please visit our website www.wffc.org or contact us at info@wffc.org

About the WFFC

The WFFC, Inc. was founded in 1982 by women employed in various capacities in the U.S. flavor and fragrance industry. This organization was borne out of a recognized need for a networking, education and support system for women in our industry. Our mission has been and remains to this day to provide a center of education, camaraderie, support and networking opportunities for women in our industry. Our membership encompasses women involved in sales, purchasing, customer service as well as technical careers.

| Honorees and Award Recipients

WFFC Announces 2019 Annual Gala Honoree

Glen Rock, NJ – The Women in Flavor and Fragrance Commerce, Inc. (WFFC) is pleased to announce that Dana Brown, Vice President Product Development, Beachbody LLC, will be honored at the 37th WFFC Annual Gala on October 17, 2019, at the Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, New Jersey. Ms. Dana Brown is a Vice President at Beachbody, where she provides leadership for global nutritional product development, including new product innovation, continuous improvement, and international expansion.

In the past 7 years with Beachbody, Dana has significantly expanded her role within the organization. In her current position, she is responsible for developing Beachbody Nutritional products on a global scale, as well as identifying innovation pipeline opportunities and driving the company’s nutritional growth strategy. Under Dana’s leadership, her team manages all aspects of product development from ideation to commercialization for dietary supplement and food products, including Shakeology, Beachbody Performance, BEACHBAR, 3 Day Refresh and Openfit.
 
Prior to joining Beachbody, Dana spent 6 years at Kraft Foods in Tarrytown, New York. In her last role at Kraft, Dana was a Senior Scientist responsible for the product development and launch of an innovative first-to-market platform, MiO Liquid Water Enhancer. Before working on liquid concentrates, she was responsible for projects in the Ready-to-Drink category, including Capri Sun, Crystal Light and Kool-Aid Jammers.
 
Dana is a graduate of North Carolina State University and holds a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science and Biology. She currently resides in Santa Monica, California. Dana is a dynamic leader passionate about building key relationships, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and mentoring junior team members. She also recently established a group to help empower women in the Beachbody organization within the areas of leadership and science.

For more information please visit our website www.wffc.org or contact us at info@wffc.org

About the WFFC

The WFFC, Inc. was founded in 1982 by women employed in various capacities in the U.S. flavor and fragrance industry. This organization was borne out of a recognized need for a networking, education and support system for women in our industry. Our mission has been and remains to this day to provide a center of education, camaraderie, support and networking opportunities for women in our industry. Our membership encompasses women involved in sales, purchasing, customer service as well as technical careers.

| Honorees and Award Recipients

WFFC Announces 2019 Annual Recognition Award Recipients

Glen Rock, NJ – The WFFC is pleased to announce the 2019 Annual Recognition Award recipients. They are Catherine Herman, Flavor & Fragrance Specialties, Inc. (Nancy Poulos Leadership Award), Kay Murano, IFF (Flavorist Award), Jerome Epinette, Robertet Group (Perfumer Award) and Jennifer Romano, Bontoux Organics, Inc. (Innovative Excellence Award).

The award recipients will be honored at the WFFC Annual Recognition Dinner on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at the Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Catherine Herman, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Flavor & Fragrance Specialties, Inc., is the recipient of the Nancy Poulos Leadership Award. Catherine began her lifetime career in the Flavor & Fragrance Industry more than four decades ago at Givaudan where the various positions that she held in the gas chromatography lab, organoleptic evaluation and data management provided a valuable foundation for her career in Regulatory. After retiring from Givaudan in 2008, Catherine worked for Belmay prior to joining FFS in 2013. Catherine enjoys life in the fast-paced regulatory lane where there is never a dull moment!  She is often heard saying, “in any other profession there might not be much more to learn after 43 years; however, in regulatory every day is a new opportunity to grow”. Catherine relishes spending time with family and her wonderful husband.  In her spare time, she volunteers as a mentor to single mothers & teaching Sunday school. She enjoys cooking, reading and gardening.

Kay Murano, Ph. D., Flavorist at IFF, is the recipient of the Flavorist Award. Three words which describe Dr. Kay Murano are honest, passionate and detailed. Her career path has led her to becoming a highly regarded Scientist and Certified Flavorist at International Flavors and Fragrances specializing in taste modulation and flavor design.

Kay’s professional path to mastering both the science and art of flavor design started early in her career. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from St. John’s University ultimately being offered a position within IFF’s Global Flavor Research Lab where she has contributed to numerous patents and publications. After Kay earned her doctorate in food science from Rutger’s University she decided to explore the world of creative clavor design by joining IFF’s Creative Flavor Lab where she put both her technical expertise of flavor chemistry and her passion for art to work. Since joining the Creative Labs at IFF, Kay has found success in the alcoholic beverage segment and is a lead modulation expert.  Kay is recognized for her innate skills around ideation and creative concept design. Kay is a committed member of our industry; in addition to mentoring on a daily basis, she is a certified member of the Society of Flavor Chemists and has served on the Board of Directors of the Women in Flavor and Fragrance Commerce from 2006-2016, over which time she held the roles of Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President. While Flavor Design and Professional Achievement is certainly a passion for Kay, her heart is with her beautiful family. She is most proud of her decision to marry her husband and best friend. Together, they are raising their amazing two-year-old son who is truly Kay’s greatest creation.

Jerome Epinette, Vice President of Perfumery with Robertet Group is the recipient of the Perfumer Award. He began his career in Robertet’s Paris office in 2003 and joined the U.S. team to launch the New York Creative Center in 2006. Jerome is the only two-time winner of the Fragrance Foundation’s prestigious “Perfume Extraordinaire” award.  

Jerome earned a master’s degree in Biochemistry in Dijon, France and attended the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in Grasse, France. His perfumery work is inspired first and foremost by the beauty of nature; the sights, sounds and scents of flowers, forests, the sea and the sea breeze.  In his spare time, Jerome is an accomplished cook and enjoys blending different types of herbs in unique combinations to create new culinary experiences. Had he not become a perfumer; Jerome would have become a sommelier. His admiration for winemaking is influenced by his hometown of Burgundy, and he loves to attend wine tastings and compare the different notes in wine, just like in perfumery. As a part of the creative process, Jerome is always striving to make something new and different.  He enjoys working with niche brands because he gets a lot of room to be creative.  His formulas are often simple and shot, but they are elegant and authentic. Jerome is known for his mastery of Robertet’s natural ingredients to create exceptional quality in his fragrances. He is an amazing creative talent and continues to delight his clients with his ability to translate his vision into olfactive treasures.

In 2016, the WFFC Board created the “Innovative Excellence Award,” honoring an individual who offers novel contributions to the industry, and acts as a role model for guiding change and innovations. This year’s Innovative Excellence Award recipient is Jennifer Romano, Commercial Director of Bontoux Organics, Inc. At Bontoux Organics, Jennifer manages all aspects of the business including sales and sourcing of all organic materials, establishing and managing customers and producer relationships, and continuing to build on the established and outstanding Bontoux reputation. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of NAFFS. Jennifer’s mission has always been to help her customers build their brands by creating partnerships based on trust, transparency, and the quality and safety Bontoux is known for. Before coming into the F&F industry over 12 years ago, Jennifer started her career with an aerospace engineering company – where she spent 10 years helping to build a company from a two-employee start-up to a dot.com era sale of $700MM. Jennifer is the extraordinarily proud mother of 4 children (two sons and two daughters) and resides in Jackson, NJ. In her free time, she loves to play golf, bake, read, crochet, knit, and ride her Peloton. 

For more information please visit our website www.wffc.org or contact us at info@wffc.org

About the WFFC

The WFFC, Inc. was founded in 1982 by women employed in various capacities in the U.S. flavor and fragrance industry. This organization was borne out of a recognized need for a networking, education and support system for women in our industry. Our mission has been and remains to this day to provide a center of education, camaraderie, support and networking opportunities for women in our industry. Our membership encompasses women involved in sales, purchasing, customer service as well as technical careers.