Mary K. Young is an innovative strategist who provides counsel to clients on food, nutrition and wellness issues. She is passionate about the marriage of enjoyment of the foods we eat and the health benefits these foods provide and believes culturally we are redefining our relationship with food. With more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience in food & nutrition marketing and communications, food policy engagement, as well as nutrition issues and crisis management, Mary has helped some of America’s most beloved brands and commodities, including Barilla, Unilever, Starbucks, Dairy Management Inc, The Egg Nutrition Council, The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and the Mushroom Council navigate this complex world. Mary is skilled in developing both short and long-term strategic plans that flex with the changing environment while maintaining discipline to meet business objectives. A strong communicator, Mary has conducted hundreds of interviews with broadcast and print outlets. Throughout her career, Mary has created multiple award-winning programs and has been a leader in establishing and working with public-private alliances and coalitions including as a founding member of the Dietary Guidelines Alliance, the Meat Case Nutrition Labeling Coalition, the Protein Think Tank, and the Nutrient Rich Foods Coalition.