This award recognizes and celebrates new volunteers who have demonstrated leadership qualities of value to FEMA in a relatively short time. The Emerging Leader Award is intended to be given to the most deserving candidate and will only be given in years with a worthy recipient.
2025 Honoree
Deirdre Meyer
Senior Regulatory Specialist
Givaudan
Deirdre Meyer is a regulatory specialist with nearly 10 years of experience in the flavor industry, dedicated to ensuring compliance and excellence in formula submissions. She is also an active member of FEMA’s Regulatory Affairs Committee, serving as Vice Chair of the Alcohol Subcommittee at FEMA. She also leads working groups such as the Drawback Tutorial Working Group, which supports FEMA members in submitting permits in FONL. Deirdre's dedication to FEMA’s committees and working groups has helped improve education and resources for our members.
Deirdre will be honored at the Annual Leadership Conference (ALC) on May 6 in St. Petersburg, FL.
Past Award Winners
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2024: Dave Franz, FlavorSum
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2023: Adam Gromer, Synergy Flavors
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2022: Tanya Ditschun, Ph.D., Firmenich
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2021: Alex Brewer, McCormick & Company
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2020: Colleen Sabiel, Coca-Cola Company
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2019: Nicole Berzins, MycoTechnology, Inc.
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2018: Martin Ongteco, Robertet, Inc.
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2017: Jeff Peppet, Givaudan
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2016: Josh Vernoski, FONA International Inc.