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Phil Kafarakis

President & CEO | Board Member | Food Industry Advocate | Forbes Contributor | Angel Investor | Purpose-Driven Leader

Phil Kafarakis is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA), a position he has held since November 1, 2021. His appointment was part of a strategic leadership transition aimed at enhancing the association's influence within the foodservice industry.

Professional Background

Kafarakis has extensive experience in the food industry, having held senior executive roles in several major companies. His career began on the manufacturing side, where he worked with notable organizations such as Kraft, Jones Dairy Farm, Cargill, and McCormick & Co. He also served on IFMA’s Board of Directors prior to his current role. Most recently, he was the President of the Specialty Food Association (SFA), representing over 4,000 small and emerging food entrepreneurs in the U.S. specialty food market. Additionally, he held the position of Chief Innovation and Member Advancement Officer at the National Restaurant Association.124

Leadership at IFMA

As CEO of IFMA, Kafarakis is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and directing activities aligned with the organization's goals and objectives. He has emphasized the importance of member engagement and is leading initiatives like the "Level Up 2027" strategic plan, which aims to enhance member value and foster cross-industry collaboration.23 Under his leadership, IFMA continues to focus on empowering its members within the $1.3 trillion food-away-from-home ecosystem.3

Kafarakis's leadership style is characterized by a commitment to innovation and a collaborative approach to addressing industry challenges. He has expressed enthusiasm for guiding IFMA into a future that builds on its legacy while adapting to evolving market dynamics.15

Highlights

Aug 27 · linkedin

Join us and several of the most influential leaders of our #foodawayfromhome industry, for THE conference of the year! https://shorturl.at/nk69l Created by #foodserviceindustry leaders for C-suite executives looking for practical business intelligence and meaningful peer to peer discussion! #ifmaworld 2024 Presidents Conference 😎Check out this year’s incrediblly diverse agenda!

May 28 · linkedin

This year, for only the 6th time in 70 years, we recognized one of our own! A dedicated servant leader to #ifmaworld for more than 12 years...his contributions of time, talent and treasure are innumerable to the advancement of the #association. They are seen in the legacy he continues to build as an industry advisor and confidant to many senior leaders. He is a loyal past chair and trusted industry leader who led Nestlé Professional for several decades - The coveted 2024 Honorary GOLD Plate was awarded to Perry Miele Congratulations 😍 #goldandsilverplateawards

Related Questions

What are Phil Kafarakis's key achievements at the Specialty Food Association?
How did Phil Kafarakis's role at the National Restaurant Association prepare him for his current position?
What is the Level Up 2027 strategic plan that Phil Kafarakis is implementing at IFMA?
How has Phil Kafarakis's leadership style been received by the IFMA community?
What are the main goals Phil Kafarakis has set for IFMA under his leadership?
Phil Kafarakis
Phil Kafarakis, photo 1
Phil Kafarakis, photo 2
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Location

Chicago, Illinois, United States