Veteran leader will help the food industry modernize responsibly by bridging operations, innovation and policy
Arlington, Va. — FMI—The Food Industry Association today announces the appointment of Jennifer Shawgo, senior director, technology strategy and programs, to lead FMI’s programs, partnerships and member engagement that connect 
technology and operations to accelerate responsible digital transformation across the food ecosystem.
“Our industry’s investment in technology is about creating practical solutions that strengthen operations and enhance the shopper experience,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI. “We welcome Jennifer’s expertise as we pursue new technology initiatives like GroceryLab, giving our members the opportunity to explore emerging tools and share insights that turn experimentation into measurable impact.”
With two decades of cross-sector experience spanning distribution at companies like UNFI and KeHE, SaaS startups Afresh and Vori, and association and policy leadership at the Organic Trade Association, California Organic Products Advisory Committee and Good Food Foundation, Shawgo is known for translating complex technology shifts – AI, digital commerce, and retail media – into actionable strategies for the grocery and retail sector.
FMI Vice President, Industry Relations, Doug Baker said, “Jennifer will stand up FMI’s technology practice to connect the dots between store operations and the shopper experience, grounding every step in responsible innovation. She’ll lead member programs and voice of customer partnerships that align retailers, suppliers and technology partners around measurable outcomes, while translating fast-moving shifts in AI, retail media and digital commerce into pragmatic playbooks and toolkits. And by bridging commercial, product, policy and science, she’ll help our members navigate data governance, privacy and interoperability so innovation is both practical and trusted.”
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