Charlie Arnot is recognized as a thought leader in food and agriculture. He is highly regarded as both a writer and sought-after speaker who engages audiences across the globe. Charlie has more than 25 years of experience working in communications, public relations and issues management within the food system. He serves as CEO of the Center for Food Integrity, a international non-profit organization dedicated to building consumer trust and confidence in today’s food system.

Kelly is an accomplished communications, marketing and business development executive, driven by a passion for connecting brands and people through meaningful experiences and purposeful engagements. She is part of Look East’s association management team where she leads growth and development for The Center for Food Integrity.

Kelly spent her formative years on her grandparent’s farm and canning operation in Georgia, where she had a front-row seat to the process of how the vegetables are grown on the family farm, then harvested, canned and sold on grocery shelves under the Margaret Holmes brand name (her great-grandmother).

From that early age, Kelly developed an interest in and passion for how our food is grown, processed, packaged, marketed and ultimately consumed.
Kelly turned that curiosity around the “how”, into a career articulating the “why” and the “how-to” – a career steeped in the importance of honest communication and humanizing brands through storytelling.

With 20 years of leadership experience, Kelly has created communications and marketing strategies for organizations including The Coca-Cola Company, Turner Broadcasting, Cargill, the NBA and a number of emerging CPG brands. At The Center for Food Integrity, she leads member development, facilitates stakeholder engagement and helps organizations across the food/ag value chain build trust in today’s food system.

Kelly earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), while competing as a middle-distance runner on the UGA track team. She and her family now make their home in Minneapolis, where Kelly continues to enjoy running around Lake Minnetonka or exploring the great outdoors with her children.

David Fikes is the Executive Director of the FMI Foundation, which has the mission of supporting the food industry through a focus on research and education in the areas of food safety and health and wellbeing. His position allows him to act upon his conviction that humans have a right to safe food and consumers have a right to clear information and viable choices.

Formerly, David served as FMI’s Vice President for Communication and Consumer/Community Relations and before joining FMI he was the Director of Communication for the American Frozen Food Institute. Prior to entering the world of food trade associations, he worked for 20 years as an Episcopal priest, serving parishes in Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas.

He and his wife, Lisa, are the proud parents of twelve-year-old Harper whose soccer skills have now exceeded those of her father.

Bryan Malenius is the senior principal program lead for Public Affairs at Chick-fil-A, Inc., where he leads Issues Management across organization. He is also responsible for external stakeholder engagement and reputation-based storytelling. Prior to his time at Chick-fil-A, Bryan served as executive director of corporate communications for Advent Health, one of America’s largest faith-based health care organizations. He also previously lived in China where he led international communication for Disney Parks in Asia. Bryan Malenius is the senior principal program lead for Public Affairs at Chick-fil-A, Inc., where he leads Issues Management across organization. He is also responsible for external stakeholder engagement and reputation-based storytelling. Prior to his time at Chick-fil-A, Bryan served as executive director of corporate communications for Advent Health, one of America’s largest faith-based health care organizations. He also previously lived in China where he led international communication for Disney Parks in Asia.

Jim Roberge is Chief Diversified Markets Officer at Compeer Financial. Jim serves on the organization’s Executive Leadership Team and the Asset Liability Committee. Jim received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Financial Economics from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., and earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wis.

Jim has worked in the Farm Credit System since 1998, holding previous roles as a Regional Vice President at CoBank and as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending and Lending Operations at Farm Credit Services of America. Jim joined Compeer Financial in 2021.