Clare Reichenbach, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the James Beard Foundation (JBF), today announced the next phase of the organization’s evolution with newly created positions for six senior management team members. Mitchell Davis is being elevated to Chief Strategy Officer (CSO); Kris Moon rises to Chief Operating Officer (COO); and Marilyn Platzer adds Chief of Staff (CoS) to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) title. In addition, Katherine Miller becomes Vice President of Impact; Siobhan Flaherty Haber assumes the role of Vice President of Events; and Alison Tozzi Liu becomes Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Editorial.
“This is a comprehensive reorganization, aligning the Foundation’s talent to our strategic priorities,” said Reichenbach. “It sets us up for success as we embark upon the next phase of ambitious growth, with greater focus on our Impact work and all that we do in pursuit of a better food world. It will enable a more strategic approach, strengthening the value we bring to the culinary community, food lovers, and partners alike. I have great confidence in the team, and am excited for this next chapter.”
Reporting directly to Reichenbach, the newly created positions are effective immediately. Davis will oversee corporate strategy and strategic projects, as well as acting as industry liaison and ambassador for the Foundation globally. Moon will oversee all revenue (sponsorship, development, and fundraising), Beard House operations, and information technology/property. Platzer will handle all financial management reporting and accounting, and human resources, in addition to increased legal and governance responsibilities.
Miller will be accountable for all of JBF’s current Impact Programs (including Chefs Boot Camp for Policy & Change, Smart Catch®, chef advocacy, and food waste programs), the JBF Women’s Leadership Programs, and diversity initiatives, as well as Scholarship Programs.
Flaherty Haber will oversee the full portfolio of events for the Foundation. The portfolio comprises Beard House events and all out-of-house events, including Taste America®, Chefs’ Night Out events, Fall Gala, the annual James Beard Awards events, and the expansion of JBF Greens: Foodies under 40.
Tozzi Liu will head up all internal and external communications and PR. She will be accountable for marketing and brand strategy, as well as editorial and content origination.
About the James Beard Foundation
The James Beard Foundation’s mission is to celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. For more than 30 years the Foundation has accomplished this mission through programs that highlight food’s central role in our lives. In addition to hosting guest-chef dinners throughout the year at the historic James Beard House in New York City, the Foundation administers the James Beard Awards; grants scholarships for culinary students; produces national events that include Taste America; and creates educational programs for the culinary community and food lovers. The Foundation addresses the growing challenges facing our food system through its Impact Programs, which include the Leadership Awards; Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change; Issue Summits; and Culinary Labs. Industry issues, such as gender imbalance and diversity in culinary leadership, are addressed through our Industry Programs. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org and follow @beardfoundation on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Press Contacts:
James Beard Foundation
Diane Stefani
Raquel Hochroth
