NSF International, Ann Arbor, Mich., appointed food-safety veteran and ConAgra Foods global chief quality officer Joan Menke-Schaenzer to its board of directors. Menke-Schaenzer has 30 years of experience leading the food safety and quality function in food retail and food manufacturing industries. She previously held food-safety leadership roles at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Kraft Foods Inc.

At ConAgra Foods, Menke-Schaenzer has made significant enhancements to food safety by establishing new policies and creating a food-safety culture. Under her leadership, the company’s comprehensive commitment to food safety was recognized by the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) with a Quality Achievement Award.

As vice President of Food Safety and Defense at Wal-Mart, Menke-Schaenzer led the development of global quality, food-safety and food defense programs and standards. At Kraft, she developed and implemented worldwide quality and food-safety programs and the company’s Crisis Management Quick Response Team, earning two Kraft President’s Awards and the prestigious Black Pearl Award for excellence in food safety from the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP).

During the course of her career, Menke-Schaenzer has worked closely with key trade associations and regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She currently serves on the FDA Food Advisory Committee, as well as on the Board of Scientific Counselors CDC (BSC) Surveillance working group.

“We are very pleased to have Joan Menke-Schaenzer join NSF International’s board of directors,” says chairman of the board Richard E. Rabbideau. “Joan’s unparalleled experience leading global food safety and quality programs will be invaluable as NSF International continues to expand globally. Her expertise is the ideal complement to our focus on protecting and improving public health and safety across all areas of NSF’s operations.”

NSF International’s Global Food Division provides expertise and accredited services across all supply-chain sectors, from agriculture, produce, processing, distribution and dairy to seafood, retail and restaurants.