Leadership

SUSAN FINN, PhD, RD, LD, FADA

Susan Finn, PhD, RD, FADA, a recognized leader and a respected communicator in the field of nutrition and health, is known for her ability to build successful partnerships with academia, professional associations and the business community. Her efforts to promote improved health and quality of life for all levels of society have been acknowledged by her peers in healthcare and in the business world.

Currently, as president and CEO of the American Council for Fitness & Nutrition, Finn leads a nonprofit organization committed to helping Americans understand the benefits of eating healthfully and being more active. She is also an advisor to many public and private organizations concerned with nutrition and health. From 1974 to 2003, Finn was employed by Ross Products (now Abbott Nutrition) in Columbus, Ohio. As director of nutrition services and public affairs, she was responsible for nutrition and education programs for healthcare professionals.

Finn is a past president of The American Dietetic Association (ADA) and is immediate past chair of the ADA Foundation. In 1998, ADA gave her its Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, the highest honor bestowed by the association. Finn’s achievements have been recognized in Washington, D.C., as well, with an appointment, made by President George W. Bush, to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

Finn holds adjunct appointments in the College of Medicine and College of Human Nutrition at The Ohio State University (OSU). After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Finn went on to earn a master of science degree in public health nutrition at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She was awarded a PhD in nutrition science from The Ohio State University in 1972.

ALISON J. KRETSER, MS, RD

Alison Kretser serves as the Executive Director for the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN). In addition to running the day to day operation of the organization and its foundation, Kretser coordinates the collaborative efforts of all aspects of the Healthy Schools Partnership. Kretser represents ACFN at public policy events and health-related events.

Kretser currently serves as a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) nutrition labeling task force.

Kretser has published several articles in professional journals including the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. She has given numerous scientific presentations relating to nutrition regulatory policy.

Prior to moving into her full time position at ACFN, Kretser was a member of the FoodMinds network of expert consultants. FoodMinds is a consulting firm specializing in strategic food and nutrition policy.

Previously employed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, Kretser was the Senior Director of Health and Nutrition Policy, where she developed and coordinated regulatory and health and wellness initiatives, including leading the launch of Take a Peak an in-store promotion of MyPyramid supported by GMA and the Food Marketing Institute. Kretser was responsible for a myriad of health and nutrition issues both domestically and internationally. Kretser coordinated the efforts of GMA member companies to provide the federal government with the food and beverage industry's position on the implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, MyPyramid and the Nutrition Facts panel. She testified at Congressional hearings on several occasions and has conducted numerous media interviews with major networks and newspapers.

Kretser served as a member of the Maryland Governor's State Advisory Council on Physical Fitness from 2002-2004.