Suzanne Fanning Appointed IDDBA Board Chair

The dairy industry veteran assumed the role of board chair during the association's annual meeting in Chicago.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in People

Suzanne Fanning Appointed IDDBA Board Chair

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The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association has appointed Suzanne Fanning as the new chair of its board of directors. Fanning, who currently serves as an executive leader at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, will continue in her existing role while taking on the new position.

Why it matters

The appointment elevates a veteran marketer who is credited with significant growth and brand transformation within the dairy sector. Her leadership is expected to influence the strategic direction of the association as it works to support dairy, deli, and bakery industry members.

Under Fanning's leadership at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, social media engagement for Wisconsin Cheese grew by 4,000% and earned media value exceeded $100 million in a single year. She brings over 25 years of marketing and brand-building experience to her new board role.

The players

Suzanne Fanning

She serves as the Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and is the newly appointed chair of the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association.

International Dairy Deli Bakery Association

This is a non-profit trade association that represents members across the dairy, deli, and bakery industries.

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

This organization works to promote and market Wisconsin dairy products on a national scale.

The details

Fanning previously served as executive vice-chair of the board and has been an active member since 2017. Her professional background includes founding the consumer advocacy group Cheeselandia and leading the national 'Born to Dairy' marketing campaign.

Suzanne Fanning joined the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association board in 2017.
The appointment to board chair occurred in October 2026.

Market Landscape

Fanning's leadership move aligns with a broader industry shift where agricultural trade groups are prioritizing digital marketing experts to compete with non-dairy alternatives. This positions the association to more aggressively leverage consumer advocacy and social media engagement to maintain market dominance.

The transition brings a marketing-focused perspective to the association, which may eventually influence the visibility and promotional strategies of products available to grocery shoppers. Consumers can expect continued emphasis on brand-specific campaigns similar to those seen with Wisconsin dairy products.

The takeaway

Fanning's career demonstrates the tangible impact that aggressive, data-driven marketing campaigns can have on traditional commodity sales. Professionals in other sectors may find value in her approach of pairing consumer advocacy communities with high-reach brand campaigns.