IDDBA Appointed Suzanne Fanning as Chairperson
The dairy, deli, and bakery trade group named a veteran marketing executive to lead its board of directors.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People
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The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) appointed Suzanne Fanning as its new chairperson. Fanning, who brings over 25 years of marketing experience to the role, was selected during the group's Annual Business Meeting.
Why it matters
The appointment elevates a leader with a history of scaling brand visibility and social media engagement within the competitive dairy sector. Her dual role ensures that board governance remains aligned with broader industry marketing trends.
Fanning joins the chair position with over 25 years of marketing expertise and a track record that includes driving $100 million in earned media value for Wisconsin Cheese. She has served on the IDDBA board since 2017.
The players
Suzanne Fanning
A marketing veteran with over 25 years of experience and a leader at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin who has driven significant category sales growth.
International Dairy Deli Bakery Association
A trade organization representing the interests of the global dairy, deli, and bakery retail industries.
The details
The board transition was finalized during the organization's Annual Business Meeting in Chicago. Fanning previously served as executive vice chair of the IDDBA board. She will continue her existing leadership responsibilities at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin while managing her new duties as chair of the association.
Timeline
Fanning began serving on the IDDBA board in 2017.
Fanning was named chair during the annual meeting in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This transition follows the organizational governance pattern established at the IDDBA Annual Business Meeting. It marks a shift in leadership continuity for a group tasked with setting standards for the competitive dairy, deli, and bakery sectors.
Operators in the dairy and specialty food space should monitor Fanning's tenure for changes in association marketing initiatives and trade standards. Her focus on digital engagement and media value suggests a potential shift toward data-driven consumer outreach for members.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at industry associations often signal upcoming shifts in marketing strategy and resource allocation. Owners should track how new board chairs pivot their trade groups to ensure they are capturing the latest insights on category growth metrics.
Further reading
For more on shifts in industry leadership, visit our People section.
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