Building on a Strong Foundation at the American Dairy Products Institute
One year into my role as President and CEO of the American Dairy Products Institute, I find myself reflecting on what has been a rewarding year of transition, growth and opportunity. Stepping into this role has provided an incredible opportunity to work alongside our members, our industry partners and a talented ADPI team, all with a shared commitment to advancing the dairy ingredients industry.
A major focus of this first year has been bringing ADPI’s three strategic pillars to life: Setting the Standard, Leading the Way, and Bringing People Together. These pillars provide a clear foundation for who we are, how we serve our members and where we want to go as an organization.
With these pillars as our guide, we have been intentional about developing a strategic vision that establishes our priorities and direction for the future. Just as importantly, we are ensuring that our day-to-day tactical activities align with that strategy. Every initiative, program and investment should ultimately contribute to our priorities and deliver meaningful value to our members and the broader dairy ingredients industry.
The following is an article published in the September/October 2026 issue of Dairy Processing, authored by Patti Smith, ADPI President & CEO.
A Year of Milestones
2026 has already been an exciting and productive year for ADPI. We successfully brought the industry together through our Global Ingredients Summit and Annual Conference, while also continuing valuable member visits. These opportunities to listen, learn and engage directly with our members are among the most important ways we can understand the opportunities and challenges facing our diverse membership.
There is still much to accomplish before we close out the year. In September, we will host the 12th Annual International Whey Conference, bringing together leaders and experts from across the global dairy industry. We will then round out the year with our Dairy Purchasing & Risk Management Seminar and Dairy Ingredients Seminar, continuing ADPI’s commitment to providing relevant education, insights and connections for our members. Learn more about our annual events at ADPI.org/Events.
As we look on the path forward, our focus remains firmly centered on delivering value across our diverse group of members. That means continuing to listen to what our members need and translating those needs into meaningful programs, resources and opportunities.
A key part of this work will be advancing our Dairy Ingredient Standards activities, such as driving important reviews of existing Standards and developing new Standards where they can benefit the industry. Dairy Ingredient Standards are foundational to the work we do, and ADPI has an important role to play in ensuring they continue to reflect the needs and evolution of the dairy ingredients marketplace.
Education will also remain a central priority. Through our Dairy Ingredients 360 Training Course, webinars and training videos, we will continue expanding the ways members can access practical knowledge, industry expertise and educational resources. Our goal is to make education more accessible, relevant and valuable for professionals at every stage of their careers.
And, perhaps most importantly, we will continue to foster collaboration across the dairy industry. Bringing people together is at the heart of ADPI’s mission. The relationships, conversations and partnerships created through our organization strengthen not only our members, but the industry.
A Transition Year
This first year has also been a year of transition. With any leadership transition comes the opportunity to assess where an organization is today, where it needs to go and how best to position it for the future. Ultimately, our success will be measured by the value we create for our members and the contributions we make to the dairy ingredients industry.
I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished in this first year, but I am even more excited about what lies ahead. Our strategic pillars provide a clear path, our team gives us the ability to execute, and our members give us the purpose behind the work.
At the center of it all is our passion for our members, for the dairy ingredients industry and for the important contributions this industry makes every day. I look forward to continuing this journey together and building on the momentum of this first year as we work to Set the Standard, Lead the Way, and Bring People Together.